From: Allison Broesder <scully04_99@yahoo.com>
Date: Sat, 9 Aug 2003 22:30:05 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Endings and Beginnings (3/10)
Source: direct

Title: Endings and Beginnings 3
Author: Cinnamon Scully
Category: SRH, DSR, Angst, Humor
Rated: NC-17 for language and situations
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
Summary: See Part One

Scully picked up the next letter. She looked at Doggett, then began to
read.

 Dear Scully,

 I want to tell you something about the living arrangement you have
right now.  I do not want my son to be raised by John Doggett. That
would just go against everything I believe in and I find that this
would just make things harder for me to come home. Either you live
with him and my son lives with me or you don't live with him and my
son stays with you. It's up to you, but after a lot of thought, I
don't trust Doggett to be a "step-father" to my son.  I just feel that
he might be working for you know who and I really don't like the idea
of this brother of his being involved either. Either you give William
to me, or you move back home.  I'm sorry, this is the way I want this.

 Love,
 Mulder

 Scully was outraged.  She said, "How dare he! He doesn't even want to
stay here with me and raise our son and now he's demanding that I hand
him over.  William is mine.  He will always be mine. He and I never
had custody talks;  he was never there for my pregnancy and he
certainly hasn't been here after words.  He doesn't even know Sam. He
doesn't even care to know Sam. I'd rather have Sam with my baby than
that controlling ass hole.  I'm sorry, Sam was right, Mulder since he
has come back has become nothing but a sad fuck and I can't put it any
other way.  I'm so furious with him."

 Doggett was a bit taken aback by her harsh language, but he knew it
was warranted. When his ex-wife left with several messages telling him
what she wanted and how he should live his life, much the same way
Mulder was telling Scully now, he had used such language. He said, "I
completely understand what you are going through, Dana. You do not
need to put up with this crap from him."

 Scully said, "Damn right I don't have to put up with this rat
bastard. He thinks he can get away with this?  Well, forget that one.  
He isn't coming near my little boy. He's mine and Mulder just happens
to be the biological father.  He sure hasn't acted like one since I've
had the child."

 Doggett said, "Well, at least you were never married. That's always a
lot harder and in Sam's words from the time, she was a real bitch.  
Mulduh isn't being very nice. Legally, can he get custody of William?"

 "He can try, but I'll win. I have a stable home environment with you
here and a well enough paying job to feed and clothe and house my
child.  He's unemployed as far as I know and if he does have a job he
was fired from the F.B.I. If Mulder wants to try to take my baby away
from me, my one chance at having a child of my own to raise, he'll
have to fight for it in court and lose badly."

 Suddenly Scully burst into tears. She said, "I can't believe he did
this to me. After all we've done together.  He knows how much I've
wanted a baby and now that I have one he wants to take him away from
me. How dare he?"

 Doggett set the baby on the floor to roam a bit. He took Scully into
his arms. He said, "I know it hurts. It's okay to show those emotions
sometimes."

 Scully wrapped her arms around Doggett and sobbed. "He even told me
that I was his touchstone and his constant and I believed him. He told
me that he cared about me and loved me. He told me he wanted to see me
be a mother and now he wants to take that away from me.  Why? What did
I do wrong?"

 Doggett said, "Sh, you didn't do anythin' wrong. He just decided that
he wanted to be this way and it's not your fault. Don't go blamin'
yourself for what he said and plans to do."

 Scully said, "I, I dreamed that he took the baby from me and that it
wasn't really him though. I don't know what to believe anymore. I
don't know what I should do and I don't think I can trust him anymore.  
He. . ."

 "Sh, it's alright.  I know you're hurtin'.  Don't worry, I won't
leave you and I won't let him take the baby away from you either.  I
know how much it hurts to have someone you loved and believed loved
you do this to you. Dana, don't worry, I'll help you keep the baby."

 Scully sobbed. "I was so amazed when I heard that I was pregnant and
I was so anxious because I didn't know how I became pregnant and I
don't know if it's such a good thing that William is Mulder's.  He
wants to take him away. He wants my baby."

 Doggett held her closely, letting her sob out her frustrations.  He
wondered what would possess Mulder to do something like that to her
and why. He just couldn't figure it out, but for whatever reason
Mulder wanted to take William or force Dana into the mold she had been
in for so long and was trying to break free from. It unnerved him that
he would want to do this to her, but he did.

 Scully finally calmed down. Doggett said, "I think that's enough
letters for now. Why don't we find somethin' more cheerful to do."

 Scully smiled at him. "I don't know what you have in mind.  We have
William to worry about here."

 Doggett said, "Don't worry, I think I can keep an eye on him and have
fun at the same time."

Scully said, "Oh really, and what would that fun be?"  She was trying
to flirt a little, but started laughing instead. "I hate those cheesy
soap lines. They are so fake."

Doggett smiled. "I know." He too, started laughing. "How about we just
be us and not some stupid couple on a Soap?"

 Scully smiled. She leaned in and kissed him. "You mean this kind?"

 "Precisely. You read my mind, Dana. Are you sure that there isn't
paranormal activity around?" Doggett said, smiling at her. He kissed
her again and smiled. "I rather like this."

 Scully said, "Me too."  She wrapped her arms around his neck and
giggled. "I feel so much better. Mulder doesn't have any control and
I'll do what I please. If you make me happy, you make me happy."

 He leaned his forehead on hers. "I'm glad to hear you say that."  He
kissed her again, his arms going around her back. He loved the fact
that he could kiss her and not feel like someone would come in and
tell them that they couldn't or she was settling for him instead.

 Scully felt more free.  She felt loved and she felt needed. Most
important, she felt happy and that was what counted. She didn't feel
guilty, she didn't feel wrong, she didn't feel she was betraying
Mulder, she was her own person again. She had been confused, but after
what Mulder had sent her, she was as sure of her direction as she had
ever been.

 Scully said, "What are we having for supper, John?"

 "I thought we could have some pizza ordered in, maybe find something
on TV and have some fun.  I don't know. I don't want to go to work
tomorrow and leave you here. Promise me that if you don't go anywhere
tomorrow that you won't read those letters alone?"

 "I promise that I won't. If you'd feel better I thought I'd call the
guys and see what they think of this whole issue. I want to make sure
I am making the right decision completely. Not that I'm not happy
here, I just want to make sure I'm making the right move and that it's
really Mulder writing those letters."

 Doggett had a half smile. "I understand, Dana. You don't want to make
mistakes and I completely understand that sentiment. I do realize that
you don't want to rush, and neither do I. I was actually at first only
hoping you'd at least call me friend."

 Scully smiled. "I have called you friend for some time now.  I don't
want you to be kept in the dark about what I'm doing, so when I talk
to the boys tomorrow I'll tell you what they have to say. They might
know more than they are telling us.  Mainly because Frohike is afraid
of hurting me I think. Or maybe they don't know who's side to be on.
The poor guys."

 Doggett gave her a quick kiss, bent down, picking William up and
handed the baby over. He said, "I'll order that pizza. How does
pepperoni and extra cheese sound."

 Scully said, "Sounds fine to me. I like the idea of that type of
pizza very much.  Haven't had a good pizza in a while."

 Doggett smiled. He went over to the phone and called the delivery in.

 Scully sat with William, bouncing him up and down on her knee. She
said, "So, little baby, what do you like about this place?"

 The baby looked around and waved his arms. He gurgled at her and
smiled. She sighed.  "I thought you'd say that. So, you just like it
here all around."

 Doggett came back. He said, "I think the baby really just liked my
brother and he wonders where he went off to.  That baby of yours is
goin' to be like a little nephew to him, I think. Poor guy."

 Scully laughed. "Don't go beating up on your brother like that. He's
a good guy and you know it. Now, I know that Mulder doesn't think so,
but I'm going to get all of this cleared up tomorrow."

 Scully said after they had pizza, "So, what do you think will happen
tomorrow?"

 "Well, after I go to work, I think Monica and I will have some
paperwork to do. Other than that, the office will be boring as mud.  
As far as the Gunmen go, I think you are right, they are confused
about which direction they ought to go in. I don't know them very
well, but I do know that they are very loyal to Mulduh and think he is
one of those fightin' for the American way. On the other hand, they
know you are a smart beautiful woman who was very close to him and
they don't know what they want to do. Befriend you and tell you it's
okay to let him go, or lose the friendship they have with you to keep
the one they have with him?"

 Scully sighed. "I'm afraid they'll side with Mulder. I know them.  
They'll say to themselves that they've been friends with Mulder longer
and that they always trusted him more than me so they should stay
loyal to him.  I just hope they tell me what is going on."

 Doggett scooted closer to her. He put an arm around her and said,
"Well, Dana, it's difficult for you to make this decision quickly, I
know, but what will you do if they tell you somethin' very bad about
Mulduh and that they know that he's being a jerk and that they know
somethin' we don't yet and they tell you this? What I'm tryin' to ask
is, do you think you'll be ready to hear what they have to say?"

 "Yes. I want the truth on this issue. I don't have to spend years
searching. I can stay right here and find my answers by asking a few
people. I want to know what my options are, and if Mulder is even the
same man that I loved last year."

 Doggett hugged her.  "I know. It's hard to see someone you loved turn
out this way. I know that it is a bad custody issue and that you feel
threatened.  Trust me, I understand.  I'll let you take all the time
you need to figure this out and if it takes you a long time, so be it.
I'm patient and I know that what ever may happen will happen and to
pressure you would ruin what might happen naturally."

 Scully smiled. "Thank you, John. I know I'm not a very open person
sometimes, but meeting your brother made me realize in a way,
sometimes if you wait forever it might pass you by and the chance at
happiness you had will have disappeared and you'll be left with
nothing but regret."

 Doggett said, "Well, Sam seems to live by the seat of his pants a lot
of the time. But he does have a point.  If you do miss that happiness
that could have been achieved you will regret it.  I think that Mulder
is realizin' some of that right now, but he doesn't want to come back
because much like you have changed over the past few months, so has
he.  I don't think either of you are the same two people you were a
year ago."

 Scully smiled.  "That's why I love it here. I can think about what I
need to and I don't feel rushed or enclosed.  I feel safe and I feel
free to think without worry."


 That night, Doggett and Scully went to bed together again. He said,
"Well, I hope that you won't mind being woke at 6."

 Scully smiled. "Not at all. I'm used to it." She rolled over towards
him.

 Doggett said, "Well, I must admit that it's been difficult to have
you here, even if I do enjoy it a lot."

 Scully smiled. "I know. You are just being patient with me." She
kissed him.  "Well, you have an early morning and so will I. We should
get some sleep. But if this was a weekend, hmm, I might not have too
much of a problem."

 Doggett blushed until even his ears were red. Scully laughed He said,
"You don't mean that, do you?"

 Scully said, "Of course I do, John.  I just don't know how far we'd
go.  You're very cute when you blush like that, did you know that?"

 Doggett blushed even further. "Dana, don't. You're embarrassin' me."

 Scully kissed him again. "I'm sorry.  Now, we should get some sleep."

 Doggett put a hand up to her cheek.  "Yeah, perhaps we should. He
gave her a quick kiss and laid back down on his back with his arms
behind his head.

 Scully rolled over, facing away from him.  She said, "If I stare this
way I might have some self control."

 Doggett said, "Dana!"

 Scully said, "Sorry, that one was totally to make you say that one."

 Doggett groaned. "I should have guessed that one."

 Scully rolled back over and said, "Good night, John." She closed her
eyes and fell fast asleep.  Doggett sighed and smoothed some hair from
her face. This was going to be a test of his patience for sure.

 He felt himself fall fast asleep slowly and a weight was on his chest
suddenly. He opened a sleepy eye and found that Dana had curled up to
him in her sleep. She was also shivering so he pulled a blanket up
around her and himself further.

 Doggett sighed and thought about what might happen tomorrow.  Two
things could happen. Either she could stay with him and find out that
Mulder had completely changed, or she would move out and Mulder would
wisk her away.  He dreaded the latter but hoped against hopes for the
first, albeit a little selfish but he felt that he could love her, if
she'd only let him.

 
 The next morning Scully woke to the alarm clock. She saw Doggett move
under her and she sat up. "Already 6?"

 "Yep. Gotta get up and go to work. Let's get up and you should maybe
call the Gunmen soon."

 "I don't think it's such a good idea to call them right now. They
sleep late."

 Doggett laughed.  He slid pants on, buckled them and smiled. He gave
her a kiss, "Well. I'm going to finish getting dressed and have my
coffee."

 "You should eat more for breakfast on the weekdays."

 "Oh, like you should talk. You were pregnant and eatin' just a bagel
and decaff."  Doggett said, smiling at her.

 "Sh. We don't talk about that. I'll get William and see if he needs
changing and feeding. You have fun today at work."

 "I intend to bore myself to death with paper work.  Remind me why we
have to do that stuff any ways?"  Doggett asked her with a grin.

 "Because the government makes us." Scully said.

 She liked this type of morning. It was more fun and more lively. It
was more fun than her being all alone at her apartment with nothing
else to think about besides Mulder.

 Doggett walked out of the room, and descended down the stairs.

 Scully went into the guest room, picked up William and carried him
down stairs. She sighed. "Well, I just hope you don't bore yourself
too much."

 "Why's that?"

 "Cause you won't sleep tonight. You'll have slept all day at the
office filling out boring forms."

 Doggett smiled.  "Would that be a bad thin'?"

 "Um, depends how you look at it."  Scully said.

 Doggett laughed.  "I'm sure it does.  6 does come early."

 "I noticed. I felt like I had just gotten to sleep and the alarm just
went off like that. It's not fair."

 "I know. But it is the way things are around here. Oh well.  I live
for the weekends but sometimes being an ex-Marine I tend to keep the
same schedule."

 Scully said, "I noticed."

 Doggett smiled.  "I'm a neat freak too. Drives my brother up the
wall. He's not much of one. Reminds me, when I get home I'll have to
find a way to make time to clean the room he used. Makes a mess like
you wouldn't believe."

 "I noticed that you were a bit of a neat freak. It's a good change
from Mulder's I don't know how long that's been there, but it sure
smells dead thing on the floor."

 Doggett wrinkled his nose. "No kiddin'.  Don't forget to call the
Gunmen after I go off to work, okay?"

 
 Around noon, Scully had the Gunmen over.  They were a little wary
about coming over to John Doggett's place, but they were okay with the
idea of talking to her, especially alone.  Mulder had some spiteful
things to say about Doggett and they thought it would be better if
Scully told Doggett instead of them.

 Scully let the Gunmen in, and they all sat down. Frohike said, "I
know that you are concerned about what Mulder wants."

 Scully said, "Yes, I am. William is staying with me as far as I'm
concerned.  What ever possessed Mulder to do this?"

 "He's being extra paranoid. Coming from me that's bad."  Langly said.
"He wants to know more about Sam. I didn't tell him anything but he
doesn't like him already."

 "I had gathered that from a letter I read. Who is he dating by the
way?"  Scully asked

 "Some tall red head he found. He didn't say her name to us either.  
Maybe he's making her up. I don't really know."  Frohike said.

 Byers said, "Well, when he told us about wanting to take William with
him, he was adamant that he do it two ways.  Either he has William to
himself, or he can visit William at your apartment. He doesn't want
Doggett involved with the child."

 "You tell him that he should have thought about that before he ran
off leaving me a single mother with no chance to remedy the situation.
I'm happy here with John and that is final. I don't want to deal with
someone who is acting like he owns me anymore."

 Frohike said, "We told him to leave you alone for a while and think
things through on your own, but he refused. He insists that if he
leaves you alone you'll make the wrong decision which is to stay here
with Doggett. I know that you will already."

 "What did he say exactly about John?"  Scully asked.

 Langly said, "He said that Doggett works for Kersh and for the Cancer
Man. He said that Doggett was nothing more than a spy to shut the
X-files down and that he won't look for the truth, but only bury it.  
He also said that Doggett would sell your son over to the CSM."

 Scully said, "Like he even knows John at all.  He never tried and
John is an honest man. You do know that, right?"

 Frohike exchanged glances with Langly.  "Yes. I suppose we do.  He's
just so different from Mulder."

 "I know that. He's not that hard to trust once you get to know him. I
know he may be a little stiff for you guys, but he's so new to this
and you must understand his background."

 "We understand. Mulder will probably continue to write letters to
you."  Byers said. "It's up to you if you want all of them, or just
the ones you deem important. We don't want to hurt Mulder but we don't
want to hurt you either or lose your friendship. We understand that
you want to keep your baby and live your life the way you choose. We
respect that. Mulder is very different now that he has come back. I
don't know what else to tell you."

 "Would you mind talking to John over lunch? I know you're not the
best of friends, but I promised I wouldn't keep him in the dark about
anything I'm doing."

 "Sure. We're fine with that." Langly said.

 Doggett walked through the front door to smell lunch being cooked in
the kitchen. He said, "Dana, are you cooking something while being on
that bad ankle of yours?"

 Scully said, "John, just come in here and see."

 Doggett made his way into the kitchen, placing his briefcase on the
floor. He wasn't looking up just yet and he said, "If you are on that
ankle of yours, you know it will never heal right."

 Scully said, "John, look up."

 Doggett looked up and said, "Oh, I didn't realize they were still
here. Did you want me to get lunch somewhere else and let you talk
with them?"

 Scully sighed. "No, not at all. It is your house after all. No, I
thought they could talk to you as well.  They have some news about
Mulder."

 Doggett said, "Okay.  If you want me to hear it I'll hear it."

 Scully said, "Sit down at the table with me. I badgered Frohike into
making something for lunch."

 Doggett laughed. "So I see you have."

 Langly was dozing in a chair and he jumped at Doggett's laugh.  
Langly said, "I didn't realize Doggbert was here."

 Doggett rolled his eyes. Scully said, "Langly, you do realize that
Sam has the same exact last name, right?"

 Langly blushed a little.  "Yeah. What's your point?"

 "My point is that you just called him Doggbert too."

 Doggett laughed again.  "Well, I see."

 Scully said, "Langly, why don't you tell him what he said about John
and Sam?"

 Langly cleared his throat. "Mind you, this is what Mulder had to say.
He said that he doesn't like you because he thinks that you are
working for Kersh. He also said that you would sell the child to
Cancer Man. I don't believe you would, but that is what he says. He
says about your brother, and I totally disagree, that he's nothing but
a rowdy that will get the baby hurt or worse, and even might be
working for CSM like you."

 Doggett had a stony look on his face and then he started to laugh
hard. He was roaring with laughter at the thought of Sam working for
that old man. He said, "Sam?  Work for that black lunged man? That is
a riot."

 Langly looked at Scully. He then said, "Why is that funny?"

 "Cause Mulduh doesn't know Sam. You met him.  Do you think he'd work
for a man like Cancer Man? We are talking about a guy who wrote a song
about old people and putting them down.  Sam, work for that man?  
Never, not even if his life depended upon it.  That is just too
funny."

 Scully said, "He's got Mulder on that one. He doesn't even know Sam.
What has gotten into Mulder?"

 Frohike turned from the stove. "He's not the same man anymore.  He's
well, more cynical than he used to be, and he seems more cold and
detached from the world than ever before. He visited us a few days ago
and he ripped our heads off for being the way we've always been. He
didn't even laugh when Punk Ass over here decided it'd be great to
make a joke about hacking the F.B.I.  for information on UFOs. He
glared at him and said nothing."

 Scully said, "He's off worse than I thought. He was a little cold
when I told him about the baby. He didn't even seem to care that I
carried a child, and at that time I didn't know who's it was."

 "I noticed that. He was like way out there.  He didn't even seem to
care that he had gotten fired from the F.B.I.  Makes you wonder what
really happened to Mulder.  I just don't think that keeping such close
contact with him is good for you, Pretty Lady."

 Scully sighed. "I think so too. He's not the same man and I'm not the
same woman anymore. I changed and so did he. I think he's mad that I
became a different person and moved on without him. I can't help what
he feels, I can only help how I feel."

 Langly said, "I know that song. It's a good one."

Doggett said, "He left a CD around here some where. I don't know where
just yet.  Besides, I get done eating here and I'm out the door."

 Scully said, "More boring paper work?"

 "Well, yeah. I handed all the stuff I had on Kersh over today. He's
goin' to take it from there.  He said somethin' about wantin' to deal
with that. So, you tell Mulduh that this man here is investigatin' the
man he believes I work for. I do on some level, only because he's a DD
and I'm not."

 Scully said, "That's right. I do think that he does have to know that
one. Oh, boys, do you think that Mulder is going to flip out if he
finds that out."

 "Probably. He's just not very happy right now.  I don't know what it
is. Now, we'll only be giving you the letters we think are very very
important and that way you don't have to agonize over all of the
things he has to say. He tends to repeat himself."

 "I noticed." Scully said.

 Doggett said, "I know what will happen, he'll get so mad that he'll
stomp all the way back here so he can get mad at me and tell me that
I'm wrong to do what I'm doin' now. He can yell in my face all he
wants.  I'm an ex-Marine, it's not gonna make much of an impact on
me."

 Scully started to giggle. "Mulder tends to yell in people's faces
from time to time. He's got that type of thing that just makes him
yell in people's faces.  You should have seen how he used to yell at
Krycek all the time."

 Frohike said, "No kidding. That was wild."

 Byers said, "I know that it's hard for us to keep this up, but Dana,
I think that it's the best.  For all of us. I don't want to lose touch
with you and I know that Frohike and Langly feel the same way."

 Suddenly the baby cried. Scully groaned.  "John, will you please get
him?"

 Frohike stood up.  "I'll go and get him.  Don't worry about it,
Scully."

 Scully smiled. "Thanks, Frohike."

 Frohike disappeared and Doggett said, "Now, Dana, when I get home,
what do you want to do tonight? Should I bring in some take out or
should I cook?"

 "It's up to you. I don't really care.  Maybe we could find something
to do or anything. I don't know about you but I'm sick of movies. We
don't have enough people for a board game and Sam isn't here to tell
us wonderful stories."

 Doggett laughed. "He didn't tell the best story of all time."

 Scully said, "What's that?"

 "He kissed a guy.  Really, he did. Not only did he kiss a guy, he
made out with the guy."  Doggett said. "I still tease him about that
one.  Just didn't want to embarrass him in front of you while he was
here."

 "So you just thought you'd be cruel and tell me now and in front of
poor Langly too."

 Langly looked confused.  "What on earth are you talking about?"

 "Sam, he kissed the last band leader when he was in that big
industrial or whatever you call it band. They were both really drunk
after a concert or something.  I found out about it through one of his
friends that was there.  I should make fun of him next time I see
him."

 Langly said, "Oh well, I guess that happens when you're really
drunk."

 "Sometimes. I remember when I was with my little sister I was at a
wedding rehearsal for Joe and we were really drunk. We Doggetts throw
major parties. I ended up two bottles of champagne or so later kissing
my sister. So I did somethin' worse I think. We both pretend it never
happened when we see each other.  It's too gross to think about. But
at least she was a girl and not a guy.  That's the line I use against
him."

 Scully said, "Ewww.  I promise I'll never kiss Bill ever. He's so
gross so gross. Icky.  Ewww. I think you did something worse than Sam
did. Icky pooh."

 Byers was blushing at the conversation.  He coughed and said, "I
think I'll see what Frohike is doing."


 That night, Doggett came home toting a bag of food under his arm.  
"I got take out for us.  I didn't know what you'd want so I got some
stuff from the Mexican take out."

 Scully smiled. She said, "Let's see what you got me."

 Doggett placed the bag on the coffee table, disappeared into the
kitchen and came back out with some plates.  He took the food out of
the bag and began to serve it up. He said, "First, I got a taco with
all of the fixings.  I then got you a beef buritto. I got myself a
taco bravo because I like those. I got you a cheese melt. I hope you
like cheese."

 Scully said, "Wait, you expect me to eat all of that?" She had her
taco and a cheese melt and a burritto on her plate.

 He said, "Well, what you don't eat, I will.  I live for Mexican
food."

 Scully laughed. "I see."

 "I didn't get any while Sam was here because he doesn't like it."
Doggett said.

 Scully smiled. "I'm sure you just made fun of him somehow to make him
hate it."

 "I'm not that mean to my brother." Doggett said, taking a bite out of
his taco bravo.

 Scully said, "Uh huh, and I'm just the most beautiful woman in the
world that all men seek me to be their one true love. I saw how you
teased him non stop.  Not that he didn't have a bit to do with that
from time to time."

 Doggett swallowed and said, "Well, he does start it sometimes.  Now,
I hope that you'll enjoy the meal I brought home."

 Scully said, "Like I said, if I can eat it all."

 Doggett said, "Now, what do we want to do tonight?"

 "Well, we could watch another movie but I really don't feel like
doing that."  Scully said, smiling at him.

 Doggett said, "Or we could find something else to do. I thought I'd
find that CD with that song for you. It's a good one. I like it
myself."

 Scully sighed. "I suppose so. What else are we going to do?"

 "Hm, I'll think of somethin'. Don't worry."

 Scully said, "Do you think that the Gunmen are right?"

 "Right about what? The fact that Mulduh became someone else
entirely?"  Doggett said. "I heard about him before his return, some
from you, some from Skinner, and some even from the Gunmen when I
overheard them talkin' before I entered the room. Mulduh is nothin'
like I expected him to be like. He seemed too distant and too cocky
for me. I don't know what it was, but he seemed possessive of you and
I'm sure you know all about that."

 "Yeah, I do. I just don't know what to think about what they said.
What ever happened to him while he was abducted he was changed
completely. I think he did become someone else, even if it is the same
person. He's just not the same. He didn't care who he risked, he
didn't care who he hurt, he didn't even care until just recently
really that I had a child. It was as if he was turned off and had
stopped caring and I can't help someone who won't help themselves.  I
also can't put my life on hold for someone who refuses to change for
the better.  Why should I wait for him when I have my own concerns,
concerns he isn't willing to consider. I was ready to consider his
concerns when he came back. In fact I put myself on the back burner
for him then. It just didn't work out and there is nothing I can do
for him."

 Doggett said, "I suppose that is true.  I saw how you were takin'
care of him but not yourself.  I understand where you are coming
from."

 "I'm glad you do.  Let's do something fun tonight. I wish I could
dance."

 Doggett sat down after he had put the CD his brother had left behind
for him. He said, "Well, I must say he's good at what he does."

 Scully said, "That's true otherwise he wouldn't have been driving
that nice Beemer.  That's an expensive car."

 Doggett laughed. "Yeah, I'm stuck with these crappy government issue
cars. At least I can get a different one from time to time and I don't
have to shop for it or buy it with my own money."

 "No kidding." Scully curled up to him on the sofa. She said, "This
isn't exactly dancing music, but I like it."

 "Well, Dana, you can't dance yet any ways.  You're ankle is still too
sore for that."

 "I know, I know. Stupid ankle. Don't know why I had to go twist it."

 Doggett laughed. "I'm sure you do wonder about it."

 Scully laughed softly and put her head onto his chest. She listened
to his heart beat and sighed. "John, do you think that Mulder will
come back to cause trouble?  I never thought I'd be saying that, but
he is, well not the man I was in love with anymore."

 Doggett sighed. "I don't know, Dana. I just want to make sure that
things are okay for you. Don't worry about Mulduh. Things will work
themselves out. Now, I know that you're worried about what he might
do, but let things happen and we'll fix things that go wrong as they
come together. As long as you want me to help you out and be with you,
I will. I don't want to ever make you feel like you're suffocating
with me."

 Scully could hear his voice echo in her ear.  She sat up and said,
"I'll let you know, John. I am glad that I am able to make the
decisions I would like to on my own instead of having to wait for
someone else to approve of them."

 Doggett smiled at her, reached up placing a hand onto her cheek. He
smiled at her and said, "I know one thing, you make me happy. I know
one other thing, my brother is strange."

 "Why do you say that?"

 "Do you hear any music?  He left the recorder on and dead air."
Doggett said.

 Scully giggled. "No wait, he's talking."

 Doggett turned it up and said, "Now, what is he doing here? Do you
think he could say the F-word a few more times for us?"

 Suddenly blaring out of the stereo was a whole lot of noise. Scully
started to laugh at the noises. She said, "They weren't kidding when
they said they were going to puke."

 Doggett turned it down. He said, "Well, now, that's a surprise I
could have lived without. He sure knows how to have fun doesn't he? I
wonder what possessed him to do that this time?"

 "Oh, he's just having fun. You know him. He's that way sometimes."

 Doggett shook his head.  "He ends the CD with this pretty song with
so much emotion and then he has to throw this puking thing on the end.
Oh well. Let's find something to do."

 Scully sighed.  "That was too funny.  I enjoyed it. I think the name
says it all.  The Screaming Vomits."

 Doggett shook his head. "We don't want to know how he came up with
that name.  It's probably gross."

 Scully sighed.  "Alright, what do you want to do now?"

 "Hmm, what do you think?" Doggett asked, raising his eyebrows at her.

 Scully looked over at him. "What on earth are you talking about?"

 Doggett said, "Don't think that I didn't catch you saying that line
about bein' the most beautiful sought after woman. I think you are in
some ways."

 Scully blushed. "Now John, you're embarrassing me."

 Doggett sat down next to her. He smiled, asking, "Is that a bad
thin'?"

 "No. I just didn't expect it. I'm still laughing at your brother's
ending to the CD."

 Doggett laughed. "It is a pretty bad way to end a CD if you ask me."
He leaned in and kissed her. "So, what do you want to do now?"

 "Well, hmm, I don't know.  I'm sick of movies and I can't do anything
because of my ankle. This is not fun at all."

 Doggett said, "There is something you can do. Let's take a boat ride
together."

 Suddenly his phone rang and Doggett sighed. He went to the phone and
answered it. He said, "Dad?"

 Scully watched him with interest. Doggett said, "Well, Dad, actually
next week wouldn't be good. I have a major case coming up and I can't
get away.  Maybe in a couple of months, would that be okay?"

 Scully knew he was lying about the case. The only one they had been
working on was the Kersh one and during that time it seemed the
X-files division was being frozen on cases until she returned.

 Doggett said, "Actually when I visit I'll be bringin' a lady and her
friend. No, I'm not tryin' to sneak Sam in. Yes, I know how you feel
about him."

 Scully almost laughed. He was smooth at lying when he had to be. She
knew that he wouldn't lie to her. All she had to do was look him in
the eye to know if he was or not. His dad didn't have that option.

 Doggett said, "Actually she works with me. She'll be bringin' a baby
with her. No, she's not married to the father. No, she didn't intend
to have a baby out of wedlock. Dad, it's more complicated than that.
The father walked out on her before she could marry him. No, Dad, she
didn't intend to live in sin before that. Just leave her be. She's a
good lady."

 Scully wondered what was going on. She wondered if his father was
going to like her at all. Doggett said, "She's Catholic, Dad.  Just
like you'd want her to be. No, I don't think that she's tryin' to live
in sin with me either. Dad, she's not evil. Don't go doin' that."

 Scully sighed. She got Doggett's attention and made a signal that she
wanted to talk to his dad. Doggett said, "She wants to talk to you,
yes she's here with me."

 Doggett handed over the phone.  Scully heard, "Well, young lady, what
is it that you want to talk about with me?"

 "I'm not young and I'm not foolish. I just happened to be walked out
on and I assure you that I would have married my baby's father if it
wasn't for the complicated situation of his abduction last year.  
Since his return he and I have grown apart and I'd like for you to
think about not being so judgmental before you decide I'm one way or
another. I'm sorry, I just had to tell you that."

 She handed the phone back, Doggett's shocked face smoothing over into
calmness. "No, Dad, she didn't mean to insult you. Really. We'll be
visiting you in a couple of months." He hung up.  "That was very
brave, Dana."

 "Well, he seemed to be grilling you about it to no end."

 "Dad's a devout Catholic. He thinks of Sam as a Pagan and well, when
he heard you were Catholic with a baby out of wed lock, he went nuts.  
He hates that type of thing."

"Well, next time he wants to judge me, he can do so to my face."

 Doggett sighed.  "He's gonna freak when Sam shows up with us. He's
just so strict. It drives me nuts some times.  I hope I'm never that
bad. When I talk to him I am always reminded why I don't like that in
him."

 Scully sighed, "You were saying something about a boat ride before
all of that came up.  What did you mean?"

 Doggett said, "Well, we could take a boat ride that goes down the
Potomac. It'd be fun. That's if you feel up to it."

 "John, I don't know.  With my ankle I can't do much of anything and
you'd have to haul me around to get onto the boat and off and well,
it'd be a big hassle."

 Doggett smiled, "I had guessed you'd say that. Well, then, let's find
something fun to do."

 Scully sighed. "I know you wanted to take me boating. Well, let's see
if there is any good movies worth watching."

 Doggett laughed. "Well, how about this. We skip the movie, we skip
the boating and we go some where for something fun?"

 "Like?" Scully asked.

 "Oh I don't know. I'm stretchin' here. I just want to have fun
tonight.  It's gettin' old bein' cooped up in here all the time. How
about we drop William off at the Gunmen's and we'll go somewhere."

 "But where?" Scully asked.

 "Hmm, well what time is it?" Doggett asked.

 "It's about 8:30. John, it'd be silly to go out anywhere. You have to
get up early any ways. John, let's stay here. I'm sure we could think
of something."

 Doggett sat down on the sofa. "You know, I told my dad that we
weren't livin' in sin with each other."

 Scully giggled. "Well, you're dad seems to be a little, well on the
boring side when it comes to finding fun."

 "I'd say so. Makes you want to do what Sam does and live free and
make your own schedule and just do what ever you feel from time to
time. So,
 what did you have in mind?"

 Scully leaned in towards him and kissed him. "I think we could have
some fun right here. It wouldn't be a problem."

 Doggett blushed.  "Dana, you're, you're embarrassin' me again." He
was a bright red and his ears were turning pink. He looked away from
her and sighed.

 Scully asked, "What's the matter, John?"

 Doggett said, "I just don't want to move too fast, that's all and
well, I do know that Mulduh isn't out of the picture and I don't want
to trap you and make you feel like you're under my thumb so to speak
or something like that."

 Scully sighed.  "John, I'm not talking all that far. I don't want to
go that fast either. I don't understand couples who have to jump into
sex as fast as they can before they get to know each other.  We barely
know each other."

 Doggett turned to look at her. "I guess you're right. I just don't
want to pressure you."

 "Hell, I didn't even know you had a brother or two and a few sisters.  
I didn't even know that you're father was a devout Catholic.  You
don't know much about me, besides what happened between Mulder and I.
Or the fact that I have a baby.  You don't know all of the things I do
know and unlike Mulder, you're willing to sit and talk to me and tell
me personal things that don't involve cases.  Mulder and I never
actually just sat and talked unless it pertained some way to the
X-files. This is different."

 Doggett said, "So, tell me more about you. You learned about me, I
want to know a little bit more about who became Mrs. Spooky to the
office. Not that I subscribe to that."

 Scully looked at him, hurt for a moment. "Is that what you think of
me?"

 Doggett said, "No, no, not at all. I was, oh I'm so sorry Dana. I
didn't mean to say that to you."

 Scully looked at him, tears in her eyes.  "That was mean and a little
rude. I hate being known as Mrs.  Spooky. It makes me feel like
everyone thinks Mulder owns me or something. I hate it."

 "I'm sorry, Dana. I should have never done that to you. I wasn't
thinkin'." Doggett said.  "I promise, I won't do it again."

 Scully said, "I know, I just, I hate it when people call me that and
I hate when they say I'm some Ice Queen like I don't feel or
something."

 Doggett scooted closer to her. "I know. I didn't mean to upset you
like that. I don't think you're unfeeling. You feel a lot of things,
you just don't like to show them for fear that you'll get hurt. I
understand that."

 Scully said, "You really don't think I am? I know that almost
everyone at the office does. I just seem to be this cold woman that
they all avoid. I hate it."

 Doggett said, "Dana, I shouldn't have said what I did.  Now, I just
think they don't know what to do really. It's a matter of trying to be
able to get close to you, but you do keep your guard up at the
office."

 Scully sighed. "I suppose I do. I'm sorry I got mad at you."

 Doggett said, "I think I'm more sorry.  I didn't mean to make you
upset like that.  I shouldn't have said what I did. It made you
unhappy."

 Scully leaned her head onto his shoulder.  "Well, actually, you also
made it all better too."

 Doggett laughed softly. "I hope I did. I tried to."  He kissed her.
"Does this make it better too?"

 "Yes. I think it does." She kissed him again and waited for him to
lead the way.

 He started to pull her in closer to him, that way he could kiss her
that much more easily. He felt her move her arms around his neck and
lean back a little.

 Scully was happy that they could at least talk through something
instead of leaving it alone and letting it fester.  She and Mulder had
never talked after a fight and what they fought about very often.  It
wasn't easy and they didn't fix those things and they both just
pretended they never fought.

 Doggett pulled away. "I'm glad we talked about it. I want to know if
I ever do something that upsets you. I don't want to go upsettin' you
like that. If I know what upsets you,so I can prevent makin' that
mistake again."

 Scully smiled, "Thank you. Now, isn't this more fun?"

 Doggett blushed again. She giggled.  "I didn't know that ex-Marines
were so shy."

 Doggett said, "I'm just a shy guy. I don't know what it is." He
blushed more.

 Scully said, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to embarrass you."

 Doggett smiled. "I just blush a lot.  Sam, he never blushes.  Not
like me any ways."

 "Sam's, well, Sam.  He's well, that's all you can say about him He's
Sam." Scully said.

 Doggett said, the color fading from his face as he stopped blushing,
"Well, I agree with you there."

 Scully took his hand into hers.  "I like how you're so shy. I never
knew what Mulder would want from me, even if he was just looking at me
from across the room. He was, well big on pornos and that type of
thing. You're so shy and that's so cute."

 Doggett blushed again.  "I can't help it."

 Scully kept her hand in his, but she leaned in and kissed him soundly
on the cheek.  She said, "I like how you blush. It's so, well, you."

 Doggett turned looking at her, even his ears pink from his
embarrassment.  "I feel like a teenager.  I get so embarrassed
sometimes."

 Scully put her head on his shoulder.  "It's late, we should be
getting to bed."

 Doggett smiled. He said, "Let me help you up."

 Scully gave him her other hand and he pulled up.  He put his arm
around her waist and helped her to the stairs. He helped her up the
stairs.

 Scully let him help her into the bed and sighed. She smiled at him.
"I hope that you will always be shy to some extent. It's so cute."

 Doggett blushed further.  "Don't. Dana, you're making my ears red."

 "So I see. Is the rest of your family like this besides Sam?"

 "No. I'm the lucky one who always blushes like this. It's a trait I
carry." Doggett said.  He climbed into the bed and rolled away from
her.

 "I'm sorry. Did I say something wrong?"

 He didn't turn around.  He just said, "I hate when people see me
blush.  It makes me blush that much more."

 Scully laughed. "You are so cute."

 "Will ya quit tellin' me that. You're only makin' it worse." Doggett
said, facing away.

 Scully kissed his ear and said, "What ever you say, it's still cute."

 Doggett sighed. He turned around, his face red as a beet. He said,
"See?"

 Scully giggled. She kissed him and said, "Well, it's cute." She
kissed him again. "Too bad you have to get up early. We could get to
know each other further."

 Doggett blushed even more.  "Dana!"

 Scully said, "Said that one just to make you do that. I'm not ready
and you know it." She kissed him again. "Now, let's get some sleep, my
shy guy."


 A couple of weeks passed and Doggett came home to see Scully, still
on Maternity leave bored to tears. He was more comfortable with her,
as she was with him and he said one night, "Well, Dana, what do you
want to do tonight?"

 Scully smiled. "Being it that William screams at night now, I want to
sleep, but if you have a much more fun idea in mind, tell me."

 "I thought we'd drop off William at your mother's and go dancin'.  
How does that sound?"

 Scully said, "It sounds fabulous. I love that idea. I don't have any
good dresses or clothes to wear."

 Doggett said, "Don't worry. I'll go with you just the way you are. I
like the way you look right now."

 Scully smiled. "I knew you were going to say that." She kissed him.
"So, what type of club is it?"

 Doggett blushed.  "Not one of those types."

 Scully laughed, threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. "John,
you are just so funny sometimes.  Of course it's not one of those
clubs. I wouldn't expect you to frequent such clubs."

 Doggett smiled, kissed her back and said, "We get fed there so supper
is solved. Just get freshened up and we'll go."

 Scully smiled.  "This is going to be so much fun. I can't wait."

 Doggett watched her go up the stairs, smiling. This was something he
had never expected to be doing.  Taking Dana Scully to a dance club or
even spending nights together, though they didn't do much together in
bed at night besides sleep was totally new to him, but seemed so old
too. He felt sometimes like he had been sleeping next to her for years
and that it was just natural for him.

 Scully came back down, William in tow. She said, "Let's go and drop
him off. By the way, have you heard anything from Sam?"

 Doggett shook his head. "The only thing I've heard about him and his
band is from the radio or tv. He's busy and hasn't had the time to
call me lately. We'll be seein' him in less than a month and a half.
Be patient."

 "Well, it's just he's so much fun and I miss you two teasing each
other. It's so cute when you do that."  Scully said, smiling at him.

 Doggett took William from her, put him in the baby carrier and said,
"Shall we go?"

 "Yes." Scully linked her arm into his and they went to the car.  
Scully got into the passenger side and said, "Now, this dance club, is
it fancy?"

 "Not really. You'll see when we get there."  Doggett was keeping
something from her and she knew it. With Mulder it would have been
some weird case at a dance hall, with John Doggett, who really knew?

 Doggett had a surprise for her there. He hoped she would like it,
being a good one and he smiled at her. "Well, I hope you'll like what
I have in store for you."

 "John Doggett, are you hiding something from me?"

  When they arrived to where they were going, Doggett opened Scully's
door for her and escorted her. She said, "John, why on earth is Langly
here?"

 Doggett smiled. He said, "Don't you know?  Sam's playing here
tonight."

 Langly said, "Hey, glad you could make it. Let's get inside."

 Doggett led Langly and Scully to the door.  A bouncer said, "Name."

 "John Doggett. I'm here to see my brother."

 "Heard that lie before."

 Doggett took out his license and said, "See? I'm John Doggett.  I
have three back stage passes."

 The bouncer said, "Right this way. Hey, Larry, make sure no one else
gets inside, will ya?"

 Doggett smiled at Langly and Scully.  They made there way into the
dressing room and Sam went up, cigarette in mouth, hugging his
brother.  He said, "Glad you could make it. We're going to rock
tonight.  Hey guys, this is Dana."

 A bald man with a mustache came up to Scully. He said, "My name is
Scot. How are you?"

 Scully said, "I'm good.  I've never met a big band like this back
stage."

 Sam said, "Well, it's good to see you." He hugged her, took his
cigarette out of his mouth, flicking some ashes to the ground.  "So
are we gonna fucking rock tonight?"

 Another man, one with blonde hair, much like Sam's came up. He said,
"I'm Randy. I hope you'll like the band tonight."

 Scully said, "I hope to."

 Sam said, "She's cool.  Don't worry guys. Oh, and Langly, dude, why
don't you get some autographs. Bro, there's a buffet over there and
help yourselves. The show's in two hours so you have plenty of time to
eat and talk or whatever. Oh, and don't pull no shit about ducking out
of this cause you're too fucking old to take the music at that level."

 Doggett said, "I'm not a wuss. I was in a combat zone with bombs
goin' off. This won't be a big deal."

 Sam smiled at him, gave him a wink and said, "Now, let's see, I think
I'll have some beer."

 "You sure you want to do that, Sam? You might end up kissin' a guy."
Doggett teased.

 Sam said, "You, don't talk about that. I don't want to think about
it."

 Doggett laughed. "I had to tease you about it. Now, are we goin' to
have fun?"

 "You better, or it's a waste of time for you.  I always say if it's
not fun, fuck it." Sam said.

 Langly was awe struck. He managed to get some autographs signed and
was talking with Randy, who helped program a lot of the music. He was
very excited.

 Sam went over to a table and grabbed a pair of glasses, similar to
Langly's.  He slid them on and said, "That's better.  This room's
lighting was giving me a fucking head ache."

 Scully smiled. She thought it was funny that he had a pair of glasses
similar to Langly's. Doggett whispered in her ear, "He's always had
glasses.  I'll serve up some food for you. Don't worry, he wears
contacts most of the time."

  Sam came up to Scully.  He said, "So, what's up now with that Mulder
creep?"

 "He, well, last thing I had heard was that he wants me to either live
with your brother and give William to him, or I live in my apartment
and I keep William."

 "No way. He's a bigger ass than I thought." Sam said. He made his way
to the table that was empty, hopped up and sat down on it. He said,
"So, what you going to do about it?"

 "I'm going to stay with your brother and William stays with us.  He
thinks you work for a man that Mulder and I fought against a lot these
past 8 years."  Scully said.

 "An old man? You mean that Smoking guy that John told me about?" Sam
asked.

 "Yeah, that guy.  John thought it was funny that he'd say something
like that."  Scully said.

 "Well it is." Sam said.  "I don't think I'd work for any old guy who
does what he does. I make music, I don't go out and kill people like
that. What is he, fucking stupid?"

 Scully shook her head.  "I actually talked to your dad a few weeks
ago.  He doesn't like me."

 "Oh? What's his excuse?"  Sam said, flicking his cigarette.

 "Well, he said something about being a mother that has a child out of
wed lock and living in sin with your brother."

 "That's why I hate organized religion.  I believe we have a creator,
but I don't want to be preached at by some fucking preacher who will
tell me that I'm going to hell for being me."

 Doggett came back, handed Scully a plate of food. Doggett said, "So,
Sam, do you think that you'll be able to make it in a month and a half
to see Mom and Dad?"

 "Yeah. I think I can.  It won't be a problem.  I'll get to see the
baby then and Dana. Now, I just thought that you'd guys would love to
see my music live tonight."

 Doggett asked, "Are you goin' to make pukin' noises today? Cause if
you are I don't want to see it."

 Sam laughed. "Well, no.  It's something we did for the CD. Forgot to
tell you about it."

 Doggett laughed. "I could have lived with out it I think."

 Scully sighed. "I thought it was funny.  I think John's being a fuddy
duddy."

 Sam laughed. "You bet he is."

 Doggett said, "Dana, don't go sayin' things like that in front of my
brother. So did you tell him about Mulduh?"

 "Yeah. I'll have to ask Langly when he's not wide eyed if there is
any important news.  The Gunmen have decided to tell me the most
important news."

 Sam nodded his head.  "I see. Now, when we go out there, I got a
surprise for you.  I'm not going to tell either of you about it cause
it won't be fun anymore. I just don't want to scare the crap out of
you if I do what I'm going to do and you don't have a heads up of some
kind."

 Doggett sighed.  "Alright Sam."

 Doggett sat with Scully while they ate. He said, "So, what do you
think this concert is goin' to be like?"

 "Loud. Tongue in cheek. Sam. Well, I think it'll be fun though."
Scully said.

 Doggett smiled. He finished eating and said, "I told you we'd be fed
here."

 Scully said, "You are just so sneaky sometimes." She kissed him and
said, "I suppose we should get our spot on the floor or where ever
we're going to be."

 Sam said, "Well, we're going to have you front row with a divider
between you and the crowd. That's only because John's my brother. I
wouldn't want to have some one get into a fight with him in a mosh pit
over you, Dana."

 Scully smiled, "I can kick butt too, Sam."

 "Even so, we've got a special spot for you guys that we'll put you in
soon." Sam said.

 Scully smiled.  "Right by the speakers I bet. Just to get your
brother back for being old."

 Doggett said, "He knows I'd kill him."

 Sam shook his head.  "No, but it will be loud. Why don't we get you
to the spot."

 They walked out of back stage, Sam leading Doggett, Scully, and
Langly to the area they would be at the concert. Doggett smiled at
Scully and offered his arm to her. Scully accepted and they made their
way to the area.

 On the way Sam talked with fans and told them what he was doing. He
promised to sign autographs on the way back, but not too many because
the time to begin the concert was coming.

 They arrived in a area that was fenced off and got inside of it after
one of the bouncers opened the metal door that would lock as soon as
they were inside.  It was big enough that they could dance or what
ever, but it keep the surge of the moss pit at bay.

 Doggett said, "This a normal thing?"

 "No, I had to come up with it on my own or put you in a box up there
but I didn't want to do that. It'd be less personal."

 Scully noticed that there were steps that lead up to the stage. She
didn't think much of it and decided that it was the way the stage
usually was without the box for the rehearsals and such. She smiled at
Doggett and held his hand.

 Sam went back through the crowd, signing a few autographs and joking
about things with the fans. He said, "See you guys in a bit.  Have fun
and don't harass the family and friends over there. I don't want to
have to fucking beat some ass."

 Scully smiled at Doggett she said, "I'm so glad you brought me here.  
Now, do you think that we'll be able to hear tomorrow?  The amp over
there is huge!"

 Doggett laughed.  "Well, we'll have to see. It'll be quite the show I
hear."

  The lights went dark and a red glow came down onto the stage. Two
men, Randy and Scot it seemed took the stage. Scully said, "Wonder
what they're going to do?"

 They started to play a dull sounding piece and suddenly a cowboy hat,
sunglasses clad Sam took the stage.  Suddenly as the drums hit he
tossed both away and started to sing loudly.

 Scully squealed in surprise and backed into Doggett. Doggett laughed.
"That's what they're up to."

 Sam was dressed differently from the last she had seen him. He was
having fun and seemed to be enjoying the crowd.  The crowd was dancing
and singing along with him and Scully said to Doggett in his ear, "The
last concert I went to was when I was 19. It was Neil Diamond or
something like that."

 Sam finished the song and said, "Hey D.C.!  How is everyone doing
tonight! Is it a fucking beautiful day or what? I hope you're enjoying
the music, cause before you leave, I want to make your fucking ears
bleed!"

 A guitar was tossed to Sam and he started to play a bit. He stood in
front of a stationary microphone and started to sing the song,
starting out a bit softer.

 The crowd behind Doggett, Langly, and Scully went wild and started to
sing along loudly. Scully laughed and started to pull Doggett, trying
to get him to dance with her.

 Doggett obliged and started to dance with her. He laughed. Scully
shouted, "This is more fun than anything I've done in a while."

 Sam pointed to the crowd to sing the chorus and Scully whispered in
Doggett's ear, "I wish I knew the chorus to this song."

 Doggett laughed. "Me too."

 When the song ended, Sam said, "Now, guys, I know you're all
wondering who the three people are in that box thing over there are.
Well, the guy with the short hair, he's my brother.  The girl, that's
his girl and she's named Dana and the long haired dude is a friend of
theirs."

 Sam made his way to the box and walked down the steps to them.  He
helped Scully and Langly up first and then his brother made his way
up. He said to the crowd, "They're extra special guests tonight, and I
won't ask my brother to sing, he's not the musician of the family, I
am. I just thought I'd tell all you mother fuckers, cause I think you
got a fucking right to know and since I have the right to do it, I
will."

 Scully looked so embarrassed. She said to Sam, "Why did you do this
me?"

 Sam laughed. He lowered the microphone for a moment and said to
Scully, "Dana, it's fun. Live a little."  He said to the crowd, "Now,
I want you to know that these guys are special to me, so don't go
harassing the hell out of them. That's just not fucking cool, okay
dudes?"

 Doggett laughed. He said, "Sam you are terrible."

 Sam said, "Now, I'll get them back down and we'll do another song."

 Doggett and Scully were dancing to the music enjoying the fun that
they were having. They were laughing and having fun, even if they had
to say what back and forth a million times. Langly seemed to be
awestruck about being at the concert.  He wasn't really sure what to
think.

 Once the concert finished, Sam said, "Good night fuckers!!!  It
rocked and you can go tell everyone you saw one of the best concerts
around! Oh and guys, wait in the lobby for a bit. I'll be out in just
a few to sign autographs with the rest of the guys. So if you brought
stuff to sign, better get it out now."

 The crowd dissipated after the lights came back on and Sam came back
into the box.  "You two staying around much longer after this?"

 Doggett and Scully were kissing and they finally broke it off when
Sam coughed.  "Guys, you staying around or what?"

 Doggett said, "We'll stay, why not."

 Sam said, "Alright.  I hope you have fun here. Now, you can stay
here, or you can come with me when I get stuff signed."

 Doggett said, "Well go with you, why not?"

 Scully linked her arm into Doggett's and said, "It sounds like fun."

 They all made their way out to the crowd who was waiting for
signatures and Sam said, "Hey dudes.  Bring your stuff up and I'll
sign it."

 A young woman came up to Sam, handed him a song sheet to sign and
asked, "What does your brother do?"

 Doggett said, "I work at the F.B.I."

 "Oh, wow." the woman said.

 Sam said, "Next."

 Doggett smiled at his brother. He said, "I'm going to get you."

 "For what?"

 "For pullin' me up on stage like that."  Doggett said.

 "Don't even start with that." Sam said, signing a another item.

 Scully said, "Well, I can't wait until I get to meet the rest of the
family, even if I have to tell your father off right off the bat."

  After Sam finally signed enough things for this concert he said,
"Wanna go back stage and have some fun for a bit. I want to catch up
with you two."

 Doggett asked, "Dana?"

 Scully said, "Alright, Mom does have William and I can sleep all I
want tonight when I get home with no teething child."

 Sam said, "Ouch, that is the bad time. I remember when Luke went
through that."

 Doggett smiled, "Well, William has his mother's lungs I'll say."

 "Or his father's in this case." Scully said.

 They made their way backstage and Doggett sat down on a couch. "I'm
sick of standin'."

 Scully smiled. "I know I am." She sat down next to him, and put her
head on his shoulder. "I'm too old for things like this."

 Sam took a beer out of the fridge. He said, "Well, I do know that I
tossed a few things tonight.  And Dana, you can't be too old. Now,
when you meet Dad, what are you going to tell him?"

 "Don't know yet.  I'll think of something when I get there."

 Sam asked, "So how are things between you two?"

 "Well, we're happy if that's anything.  I'm sick of being at home,
but I got William to worry about and he's just barely into teething.  
He's also hungry a lot. Babies grow fast.  Other than that I'm bored
and I want to get back out into the field and find something to do.  
Maybe even a Moth Man or an Alien or anything.  Even flying cows at
this point."

 Sam laughed. "That sounds like fun. I hope that you and John are
happy though."

 Doggett smiled.  "Yes, we are. I hope we are, are you happy, Dana?"

 "Yep. I am." Dana said. She yawned.  "I'm also tired, but that's
okay."

 Langly was sitting quietly watching.  He said, "So, where do you play
next?"

 Sam said, "Our next venue is New York somewhere upstate.  It'll be a
good show I hope. I'm enjoying myself. I hope you had a great night
tonight."

 "I did. It was amazing." Langly said.

 Doggett sighed.  "She's asleep."

 Sam laughed. "I can see that. She must be tired."

 "Yep. I don't want to leave while you're in town and not spend more
time with you, but I got to get her home and to bed before she's just
too tired for my day off tomorrow."

 Sam laughed. "I'll be stopping by your place tomorrow. Go, have fun.
She looks like she needs lots of sleep."

  Once Doggett and Scully got home, she was yawning but waking up a
bit. She said, "That was so much fun. I can't thank you or your
brother enough."

 Doggett raised his eyebrows, "I think there is something you can do
to thank me."

 Scully looked at him and asked, "What do you have in mind?"

 "A kiss?" Doggett asked her.

 Scully kissed him.  "There. I repaid you."

 Doggett said, "Only one?" He made a pouty face and said, "Well, okay,
if you want to be that way, I'll just go up stairs and cry my poor
self to sleep."

 Scully sighed dramatically. "Get back here and I'll give you another
one."

 He smiled then and said, "Thought that would work on you."

 She kissed him again when he got there and she said, "There, two
kisses.  One for you and one for Sam."

 Doggett asked, "What? Sam gets the second kiss?"

 Scully said, "Sam gets one for the excellent show.  You get one for
taking me there and having fun tonight."

 Doggett kissed her. "This kiss is for lettin' me take you."

 Scully kissed him again. "Stop talking."

 Doggett said, "Okay."

 Scully kissed him again and wrapped her arms around his neck.  She
let him explore her mouth with his tongue.  She felt him wrap his arms
around her back and deepen the kiss.

 She backed up to find a wall so they wouldn't have to worry about
balance and Doggett instinctively followed. He ran his hands through
her hair slowly and pulled back, "Dana, I hope that you're enjoying
this night. I know I am."

 Scully said, "I am. Just be quiet, will you. You sure talk a lot when
you shouldn't."

 Doggett laughed low in his throat.  "I know." He kissed her again and
let her run her own hands in his hair.  She enjoyed the bushy texture
of it and how it curled on her fingers.

 She felt him move down to her neck, softly kissing her and she said,
"John, do you think that we'll be able to ever get to sleep tonight."

 "Just say the word and I'll stop." Doggett said, in her ear.

 She said, "Well, I don't want you to, but I'm so tired. And, well, we
have all day, don't we?"

  Doggett laughed low in his throat.  "Well, we do, except when Sam
shows up tomorrow before he takes off."

 Scully made a pouty face. "Well, not that I don't like Sam, I just,
was well, hoping we'd have more time to do something together, you
know, since William is at Mom's until I go to pick him up."

 Doggett smiled. "And that is?"

 "Well, I'm not talking a whole lot, but more than just kissing for
brief moments." Scully said.

 Doggett shook his head. "You just want to have your cake and eat it
too."

 Scully smiled.  "Maybe I do. I don't know. I'm sure it'll be fun when
we see him and he'll be here and gone before we know it. I suppose I
can be patient."

 Doggett nibbled on her ear playfully.  "Maybe I like the idea you
had.  Locking ourselves away from the world.  What do you say?"

 "John, that sounds wonderful, but your brother would wonder and he'd
make a scene.  He'll swear and get hauled away for being a disturbance
to the peace." Scully said, smiling at him.

 "Darn. You're right.  I can see where you're going with this." He
nibbled some more on her ear and whispered, "Well, I could try to talk
Skinner into lettin' me take a second day off, but I don't know, he
might be tight about lettin' me off for another day."

 Scully said, "Well, do you think he'll let you?"

 "Maybe. You never know with him, right?" Doggett said, now looking
directly at her.  He had a smile on his face.

 Scully said, "Don't tease me like that. It's cruel of you."

 Doggett laughed.  "You started it by teasin' me first."

 Scully kissed him. She rubbed his back with her hands, trying to coax
him a bit.  She felt him forget what they were talking about and just
kiss her.

 He finally broke it off from her and said, "Come on, we got to get to
bed."

 She made a whimpering sound.  "Do we really?  You know your brother
won't be over for a very long time. He'll be getting up late and
coming over late. We don't have to get to bed right away."

 Doggett laughed.  "I want to go to bed, I don't want to go to bed.
Make up you're mind, Dana. You're confusin' this guy right here."

 Scully laughed, put her head on his chest. "Well, if you can get that
second day off, maybe we'll just have to put it to good use.  Come on,
we should get some sleep.  Who knows when your brother will show up.
He'll think that we're up and we might not be."

 Doggett backed away from her and held her hand.  "Shall we go up
stairs then?"


  The next morning Scully rolled over and heard a grunt behind her.
She said, "Sorry."

 Doggett sat up, wrapped his arms around her and said, "Well, we have
some time before Sam shows up." He kissed her neck from behind and
whispered, "What do you want to do now?"

 Scully leaned her head onto his shoulder. "It's up to you, John."

 Doggett said, "Me? Well, hmm, I don't know.  Should we stay here, or
go make breakfast."

 Scully said softly, "Stay here. I'm warm and not all that hungry."

 Doggett kissed her ear. He whispered, "Well, neither am I.  It's only
8 right now. Let's at least get up and put a cup of coffee on. My neat
freak nature says to make the bed now."

 Scully said, "You're ruining the mood."

 "Sorry." Doggett pulled her out of the bed and kissed her. "Does this
make it better?"

 Scully smiled.  "Yes." She kissed him again. "I'll go put coffee on
and you can make the bed."

 Doggett gave her another kiss.  "Sounds like a plan to me."

 Scully made her way down the stairs and put a pot of coffee on. She
set out two cups and made her way to the living room.  Doggett came
down stairs, a grey teeshirt on and a pair of jeans. She smiled at
him.

 Doggett walked up to her, hugging her from behind.  He said, "So,
what do you think Sam will be up to, today?"

 Scully said, "Well, who knows."  She leaned her head onto his chest
and sighed.  "I'm happy. I haven't had as much fun with you as I have
had with others in years."

 Doggett lightly nibbled on her neck and whispered, "Glad I could help
you out. So, what do you want to do for now?"

 "Have a cup of coffee with a very handsome man like yourself and have
a nice morning that doesn't include changing a diaper and a screaming
child.  We all do need a break sometimes."

 Doggett smiled.  He swayed his hips and swayed her with him. He said,
"Well, I must admit that sounds like an excellent morning.  Monica
must be bored to tears today. We've been doing so much boring paper
work waiting for you and Kersh has us frozen.  It's not what I want to
think about right now."

 Scully wrapped her arms around his and sighed.  She said, "I really
enjoy being here with you. It's relaxing.  I don't have to cut up dead
people, I don't have to be on a case and sneaking into hotel rooms to
see you. I can see you right here in your own home."

 Doggett smiled.  "I like that too."

 Scully said, "Thought you would. I'll pour our coffee and let's sit
on the sofa, shall we?"

  Doggett sat with his cup in his hand, the coffee steaming.  He said,
"Dana, do you realize that this house has been empty without anyone
for so long and I just don't know what you did, but you managed to
make it come alive again."

 Scully smiled.  "I try. I don't like to be alone either. I just ended
up living alone. I mean, Mulder would visit at all these odd hours
about all these odd cases."

 Doggett set his cup on the table and put on his brother's CD, as if
he was trying to recapture last nights magic. He said, "Well, all I
know is you make me happy and I haven't had this much fun in ages
either. I'm glad that you like bein' here so much. Now, what is on TV
right now? Anything good."

 Scully shook her head. "You got the music going.  There is nothing
worth watching in the morning." She scooted closer to him. "I don't
know how your brother does it, but he makes music you just feel and
understand."

 Doggett said, "He lives it and I think every song comes from his
life.  I know how he works. He's a realist and he puts his heart and
his pain on the line for a good song. I'll have to ask him what some
of the songs mean when he gets here.  He's well, always trying to make
the music as real as possible.  Trust me, if that song sounds like it
was made up, he'll tell you what really is happening in that song."

 Scully smiled.  "He's definitely in your face. I don't know. I just
wish I had been more open with you so long ago. Even if you were lying
at first just to see what was going on."

 Doggett smiled.  "I know. You were so, well, locked away. You didn't
like me and you didn't trust me."

 Scully said, "I trust you now. You have stood by me through a lot of
things and I can only thank you."

 Doggett smiled.  He set his coffee cup down. He said, "Well, I must
admit that it was a wonderful night last night. Now, Dana, do you mind
if we dance again?"

 "I should get dressed first."  Scully said.

 Doggett laughed.  "You're afraid that Sam will see you and he already
knows what you look like in pjs.  That's silly."

 Scully smiled.  "Yeah, you're right. Let's dance."

 Doggett pulled her up and they started to dance as soon as Scully put
her cup down.  She smiled. "This is so much more fun with the crowd."

 Doggett went behind her, and pulled her close to himself, hips
swaying again.  He whispered in her ear from behind, "I'm enjoyin'
this so much. I'm glad that I have you to dance with."

 Scully laughed.  "It's a fast song.  Let's really dance.  We have
room today."

 Doggett laughed.  "Alright alright."

 Sam came up to the front door, knocking on the door. Doggett opened
it up and let him in. Scully was now dressed and she hugged him as
soon as he entered the house. He said, "Don't suffocate me.  You saw
me last night."

 Scully laughed. "I missed you."

 Doggett smiled at Scully. He said, "Let the poor man sit down before
you go assaulting him."

 Sam smiled. "So what are you guys up to today?"

 "Well, we're having a good day off today."  Doggett said, "I was
meaning to asking you something. What does the last two songs on your
newest CD mean any ways?"

 "They're about a girl I dated.  The first song I wrote and recorded
after I put my fist through a wall. She had just told me that she had
cheated on me and well, I didn't take that very well.  The second song
was written after it and it's about the same girl. Not only is it
about that girl, it's about two old people afraid to die alone."

 Doggett said, "That's harsh. So, you had to live a little to get this
album out, did you?"

 "You bet I did. So, you and Dana enjoy the concert last night?" Sam
said, sitting down on the couch all sprawled out on it.  He smiled.

 "Yes, we did."  Scully said. "I haven't been to a concert forever
and, I must say, this was a treat indeed. I've never had so much fun."

 Sam said, "I try to make the music that much more fun.  Well, I know
the crowd had fun. They always do."

 "Well, you threw so much stuff out into the crowd."  Doggett said.

 "We always do.  It's the fun of it, I suppose."  Sam said. He lit a
cigarette and said, "I think our drummer likes you, Dana."

 Scully smiled.  "That's always good to know.  Thanks. I try to make
all guys fall madly in love with me."

 Doggett hugged her. "I think you do."

 Sam said, "None of this lovey duvy shit in front of me, okay? I don't
wanna see it."

 Doggett said, "Why? You afraid that if everyone knew about you
kissing a guy they'd think you're gay?"

 "No, it's just gross to watch my brother with a girl. Yuck. I don't
want to see that stuff." Sam said, pulling out his ash tray. He said,
"Now, I know that I don't care right? I was just giving you shit."

 "Knew it. You just don't want to be labeled gay." Doggett said.

 "I'm not fucking gay. Knock it off.  I bet you don't like being
called incestuous for kissing our sister."  Sam said.

 "Oo, that's a good one." Doggett said, "Alright, I'll lay off on the
gay thing.  It's fun to make you mad though."

 "I know you think it is."

 "Boys, stop it."  Scully was giggling about the whole thing.

  Scully asked, "Sam, why is it that you write your music from your
own pain like that. Aren't you a little wary that some one might use
it against you?"

 Sam said, "What,
 and be like those bubble gum chewing fake musicians who never seem to
pick up an instrument and make money for stupid songs that mean
nothing?  I like my music to mean something. I like it to feel and I
like to be real in it."

 Scully smiled.  "I figured you'd say that. I wish I had the guts to
be open enough to tell what I feel half the time."

 Sam smiled at her. He said, "You're getting better at it. Now, I like
to have fun with you guys. So, what should we do?  I got about a half
an hour to kill."

 Scully smiled at Doggett. She said, "John, are you thinking what I'm
thinking?"

 Doggett looked at her confused.  "What are you talkin' about, Dana?"

 Scully smiled, "Well, I thought we could make you tell more about
you're kiss with your sister, but, if that doesn't work, I thought I'd
ask who Sam is seeing now. I want to know."

 Sam laughed. "So, you want to know about my girl."

 Doggett sat down next to Scully, his arms going around her middle.  
He leaned his head onto her shoulder and said, "Do tell us a little. I
wonder if you'll bring her along when we go see Dad."

 "Are you fucking nuts? I won't be bringing her to meet Dad. He'd hate
her and well, she doesn't have to meet him." Sam said, flicking some
ashes into a tray. He said, "Well, she's a little different from my
last one.  More down to earth too. She's a blonde and she's blue eyed.  
She's got a mean temper but she doesn't get angry all that often.  I
just don't think she should meet Dad.  She's got a way with words and
doesn't have to swear to get it across. It's well, hard to explain."

 Doggett said, "Sounds like she's important to you."

 Scully said, "She sounds so nice.  What's her name?"

 "Josephine. I call her Jo Jo.  She hated it at first, but it became a
nice nickname for her, and it wasn't too pussy for me. I hate the
whole Sweetie, Honey crap. Gag me first."  Sam said. He smiled at
Scully. "She'd like you though."

 Scully smiled.  "I would hope so.  I would like to meet her. I just
don't think you should do something if you don't want to.  Hmm, next
time you and John and I are all free we should all get together and
have a party or something. I'd like to meet her.  She sounds fun."

 Doggett said, "I just hope she doesn't do what the last girl did."

 "Me too." Sam said.

  Doggett smiled.  "I'm glad you got a girl friend.  It'll do you some
good."

 "Yeah, well, she lives with me in the studio.  It's a neat place.  I
like it there and so does the cats. She loves the cats too. I must
admit, she's stronger than she looks. For a short person who is so
small, she's stronger than most would think." Sam said.

 "That's always a good thing."

 "She's a poet too. Can't write music, but she sure writes good poems.
I always write my own lyrics but she's good too." Sam said.

 Doggett shook his head. "Dad would hate her.  She's a writer and
that's not a "real" job.  You know how he is. If it doesn't require
working everyday and if it doesn't require having to either break your
back or strain your brain over numbers it can't possibly be real
work."

 Sam said, "Damn straight. Besides, she's feisty and she'd tell him
right where to go. Let's let Dana do that first before we go letting
Jo Jo loose on him. He might not like that much."

 Scully laughed.  "From what I hear, he doesn't like anything at all."

 Sam laughed.  "I hear you.  He must live in a shoe box and never come
out and has to have everything just so. I can't stand that."

 Doggett said, "Figures you'd find a girl who would be so nice yet be
able to tell people where they belong."

 "It's better than my last girl. She not only cheated on me, she also
was one of those pill poppers. I couldn't stand that and when she
tried to force me to take them, man. That's also what that one song is
about. Not the last two, the other one."

 Doggett shook his head. "That is dangerous."

 "Jo Jo, she doesn't do that type of stuff.  She's well, more of a
person who believes in being free, but she thinks that you're really
free with out those substances like drugs and alcohol.  I don't impede
on her and she doesn't impede on me." Sam said, putting his cigarette
out.

 Doggett said, "That's good. I know you'd not tolerate someone telling
you what to do and what not to do. That'd be just like Dad all over
again."

 "No kidding.  Well guys, my fans do call again. I'll visit again
soon, and I'll drag Jo Jo with me this time."

 
 After Sam left, Scully sat down next to Doggett.  Doggett said
softly, "Dana, you know somethin'?"

 Scully looked up at him. "I hope so.  What are you asking?"

 "Remember when we first met?" Doggett asked.

 "Yes. It wasn't the best." Scully said.

 Doggett smiled.  "No, no it wasn't.  I want to talk about how we feel
about one another.  That's if you want to."

 Scully asked, "What are you getting at, John?"

 "I, I guess when we first met, I was sort of already in love with you
then. You were so strong and so independent and I just was fascinated
by it." Doggett said, smiling at her.

  Scully smiled at Doggett.  "Really? You were in love with me then?"

 Doggett looked down shyly. He said, "Well, not totally. I just found
myself attracted to you and I knew that you hated me. I was only
hoping for friendship.  I never expected this."

 Scully looked down. "Okay, I admit it. When we first met, I hated you
like you wouldn't believe. I couldn't believe I was being paired up
with a new partner and I couldn't believe they expected me to trust my
new partner and act like I hadn't just lost a great friend at that
time.  Of course I just was infuriated with you when you told me I
didn't know Mulder.  Now I know I never really did, at least not when
he came back."

 Doggett took her hands into his. "I could tell that you didn't like
me when I was first paired up with you. I just didn't care if you
liked me or not at first. I was there to find Mulduh and that was my
job.  Then you showed me what a good person you were, without even
tryin' to do so.  I just knew then I had to make friends with you
because if I didn't, you might fry me."

 Scully laughed.  "I suppose I might have. You were a little stiff at
first."

 "Stiff? I was as by the book as can get when I first met you.  Sam
would have been very disappointed in his brother. He wouldn't have
even wanted to talk to me if he saw how I was actin' towards you when
we first met."

 Scully said, "Yes, I suppose he would. He's one of those honesty is
the best policy guys.  He hates liars, thieves and anything else that
cheats another.  I'm sure he wouldn't have been happy, but I'm glad
everything all worked out in the end for us."

 Doggett smiled. "I know so. Now, what shall we do now?"

 "Hmm, I think you said something about wanting to see the Dinosaurs
last time we went to the movies."  Scully said.

 "I don't know. Aren't you tired of movies?"  Doggett said.

 "Well, it might be fun to go and see. I'm sure it's
 a movie worth seeing."  Scully said.

 "Yeah. It looks good." Doggett said.  "Come on, let's go.  It'll be
fun and then I'll take you out to dinner anywhere you want to go."

  After the movie, Scully said, "This makes my job look easier. At
least when things chase me they're never that big."

 Doggett laughed.  "I'm sure you're thankful for that one."

 Scully smiled at him. "Well, yeah. But I'd hope that if I ever ended
up on an island full of dinosaurs I'd have someone like you to help me
through it."

 Doggett asked, "Me? Why me? I don't know anything about any
dinosaurs.  I'm not good with that stuff. You'd
 know more than I would."

 Scully said, "But you'd be able to shoot them, wouldn't you?"

 "Maybe. I can't guarantee anything.  I'm not that good.  Not against
one of those dinosaurs.  The big spiny thing would certainly just get
mad at me and eat me. Where would you be then?" Doggett said, smiling
at her.

 Scully laughed.  "Well, let's not think about that."

 Doggett smiled at her. "Where do you want to eat?"

 "Hmm. Let's just go home and order take out. I want to spend some
time at home with you."  Scully said.

 Doggett smiled at her. "Oh, do you?"

 Scully smiled. "I think it'd be better than being at some
restaurant."

 Doggett smiled at her. "If you say so, Dana. Let's go home then, and
I'll order some take out."

 They made their way into the car and Scully said, "We'll only do this
if you want to. I know you like to go out to eat and stuff."

 Doggett looked at her before turning the car on. He said, "Dana, I
don't care where we are.  I like bein' with you and I don't care what
we're doing or who we're with or where we are. I enjoy spendin' any
time with you that I can. It's the way I am about you."

 Scully smiled, "I'm glad to hear that you don't mind having take out.
I know it's not the best food and well, I just feel like staying in
tonight."

 Doggett said, "It's okay. I like to stay at home and be with you too.
Besides, if I can talk Skinner into letting me have another day off
I'll have all that much more time to spend with you."

 Scully said, "I like the sound of that."

 After they had eaten, Doggett sat with Scully on the couch.  "Now
that you have me all to yourself, what are you gonna do with me?"

 Scully smiled at him. "Well, I don't know just yet. I haven't
decided."

 Doggett laughed.  "Figures. You're just as bad as the Coyote. He
never knows what to do with the Roadrunner once he catches him."

 Scully smiled.  "I think I have an idea. It might be fun too."

 Doggett sat up.  "What? I want to know."

 "Are you ticklish, John?" Scully asked, deviously.

 "No. I'm not.  Why?" Doggett said, looking at her with confusion in
his eyes.

 Scully smiled.  "Well then, I'll just have to find that spot.
Everyone's got one, you know."

 Doggett shook his head. "I've never seen this side of you, Dana."

 Scully laughed.  "I know. I haven't been goofy since I was in
college.  I forgot how much fun it is to be funny and just goofy and
not always serious.  So, I'm going to find that tickle spot, John,"

 Doggett backed away from her.  "No you're not."

 "Yes I am."  Scully moved her hands outstretched in front of her. She
tried to tickle him, first his belly, then his arm pits and finally
the back of his neck. He broke then.

 Scully giggled with him and they collapsed in a heap on the floor,
both laughing. She said, "I told. . . you. .I'd find your. . .tickle
spot."

 Doggett grabbed her and pulled her close to himself.  "My turn."

 Scully squealed.  "NO! Don't do that!"

 Doggett said, "Fair's fair."

 He tickled her belly first and she sat with a smile on her face.  He
moved his fingers up the back of her spine and she started to squirm,
but was silent. He finally said, "That's it. I'm gonna get you."

 He tickled her neck and spine at the same time and she squealed, and
giggled. She said, "John. . . stop. "

 He said, "Hey, you started it.  Not me."

 Scully was lying on top of him on her belly. She sat up and looked
down at him. "John, you're in a dangerous position right now. I'd be
quiet."

 He looked up at her and asked, "How so?"

 Scully started to move her knee slowly.  She said, "Cause you're a
guy and well, guys have a sensitive spot."

 Doggett blushed.  "Dana, you wouldn't."

 "Would I?" Scully smiled down at him.

 "You wouldn't, would you?" Doggett asked, a little boy expression
coming over his face.

 She smiled and suddenly kissed him. She moved her hands around to the
back of his neck and started to tickle him while she kissed him. He
thrashed under her and when she pulled back. "I win."

 She got up and was about to walk away when he tackled her.  He pinned
her this time and said, "You did not."
 
 Scully squealed.  She said, "John, don't! I promise not to do it
again!  Really! I'll tell Sam!"

 Doggett said, "He's not here and he'd help if he was."  Doggett
smiled down at her. He said, "Now, I'm gonna tickle you until you
can't laugh anymore."

 "Noooo! Don't do it. Please! John, don't!" Scully said, laughing hard
already.

 He hugged her, his hands going around to her back, tickling her that
way.  Scully had her arms pinned against his chest and her legs pinned
by his.  He was tickling her until she couldn't stop laughing and he
said, "Say uncle!"

 Scully choked out, "Never!"

 Doggett said, "Well, I'll have to do something else then."

 Scully said, "No, you wouldn't!  John! That's rude!"

 Doggett said, "So? I'm a guy, aren't I? We can't always be polite."

 Scully said, "Damn you, John Doggett. You were with Sam for far too
long."

 "So, do you give up, or should I snap it."

 Scully said, "If you snap my bra I'll never speak to you again."

 Doggett made a pouty face.  "Dana, would you really do that to me?"

 "It hurts to have that snapped."

 Doggett said, "And what, a knee to the groin is okay?"

 Scully said, "Okay, okay.  Sorry. I won't do it again."

 Doggett smiled.  He laid her down, not moving off of her and kissed
her.  He ran his hands through her hair and lifted up enough to let
her arms free. She wrapped them around his back and ran one hand
through his hair.

 Doggett pulled up for air. He said, "This is more fun, now isn't it?"

 Scully smiled at him. "Yes. I suppose it is. I just hope no one comes
in here."

 Doggett smiled.  "Well, it's my house. They can just leave. I live
here. It's mine."

 Scully smiled.  "Point proven."

 Doggett smiled again and kissed her neck softly.  He said, "I like
this much more than tickling you. Not that it wasn't fun."

 Scully smiled at him. "Okay, um John, you're crushing me."

 Doggett sat up.  "Sorry about that."

 Scully smiled.  She sat down next to him and sighed.  She felt him
tug at her hand for a moment before he shyly asked, "Want to sit on my
lap?"

 Scully looked at him and smiled.  "Why not. It might be fun."

 Doggett laughed.  He opened his arms and let her climb on to his lap.
He then wrapped his arms around her and whispered in her ear, "I like
this."

 Scully leaned back. "Yes. I like it very much.  It's fun. More comfy
too."

 Doggett said, "Glad I could help."

 
 A month and a half later, Doggett and Scully met up with Sam and his
girlfriend to go and meet the parents.  Doggett asked, "I thought you
weren't bringing her along.  Did you shave your head?"

 Sam ran a hand over his head and said, "Yeah. The album was hard so I
shaved my head."

 Scully said, "Sam, your beautiful hair.  Why did you do that?"

 Josephine said, "Well, I tried to talk him out of it."

 Sam said, "This is Jo Jo. She well, made me take her with."

 Scully said, "Hi."

 Sam said, "Wait a minute. Jo Jo, that's Dana. She's well, going to
tell Dad off I hear."

 Jo Jo shook her head. "I see. If he starts to tell you. . ."

 Sam said, "Don't worry. I'll handle it." He took Jo Jo's hand and
said, "Let's get in the car and go."

 Doggett said, "Sam, good luck.  She looks feisty."

 Sam winked.  "Well, yeah.  She is."

 Doggett watched as the petite blonde girl got into the car with Sam.
He shook his head. "Dana, please don't go getting that feisty on me,
alright.  I'm glad that Sam is taking his own car.  He can get away
then if he has to."

 Scully sighed. "I don't see why your dad has to be an ass like he is.  
Sam is a good guy."

 "Well, he just is."

 Scully said, "When we get there we are not separating for sleeping
arrangements. I mean it. I'm not sleeping alone."

 Doggett laughed.  "You are feisty."

 Scully smiled.  "Just the way you like it, eh?"

 Sam honked and yelled out the window, "See you there, Dudes!"

 Doggett shouted.  "Alright!"

 Scully waved and wondered what else Jo Jo was like. She knew she'd
find out sooner or later. She said, "John, do you think your dad will
fight me on the issue of sleeping arrangements?"

 Doggett said, "Yeah. He will.  We'll just disobey him. I don't want
to sleep alone either. Besides, I'm not gonna do anythin' with you
while we're here.  Well, maybe a little but not too much." He smiled
at her.

 Scully took his free hand that wasn't on the wheel. She said, "John,
no matter what, your dad is not going to scare me away or push me
around. I won't stand for it."

 Doggett gave it a small squeeze and said, "Never expected you to."

 
 Sam and Jo Jo were driving to Doggett Sr.'s place. Sam said, "For the
last time, if Dad tells me that I don't belong here, I won't let him
tell me what to do. I'm driving a $100,000 car and if he thinks I
don't have a real job, too bad. Don't go making it too much worse than
it is."

 Jo Jo snorted. "I don't see why he has to treat you like he does. He
doesn't even try to get to know you."

 Sam said, "Well, Dad is Dad. I haven't talked to him in years and I
decided that I would do this for John and Dana. It's just me doing
something for my brother. He was so kind to me a few years back when I
needed something so I thought I'd do this for him."

 Jo Jo said, "You're just a big softie."

 "Yeah, so?  That's what you like about me, right?" Sam said, smiling
at her.

 Jo Jo smiled.  "Yeah. I guess so. What's in the CD player?"

 "What do you think?" Sam said, smiling at her.  "Put it on low.  I
don't want to get distracted."

 Jo Jo put the CD on. She asked, "What is your brother really like?"

 Sam said, "He's cool. Very gentlemanly.  He's well, shy too. I guess
he's a little wary around women too, at least he's afraid of hurting
them most of the time. I'm glad that he is at least opening up for
Dana.  Dana, well, Dana has had it rough. I'm glad she brought the
little guy along though."

 "The baby?  William's his name? I hope that your dad doesn't give her
too much trouble about the baby.  You did tell me she was left to take
care of him alone by the father.  Poor woman. If there was anything I
could do to help." Jo Jo said.

 Sam laughed. "Now who is the softie?"

 Jo Jo said, "You, don't do that to me. I'm a girl, I'm supposed to be
soft. So there."  She stuck her tongue out at him and crossed her
arms.

 Sam laughed.  "Alright. We're almost there.  I'm gonna pull over and
signal John so we can coordinate who goes in first."

 Jo Jo nodded.  "Okay."

 Sam pulled over to the side of the road and put his four ways on.  
He saw his brother pull up behind him and get out. Doggett shut his
car door, asking, "What's goin' on?"

 "I think you should go in first. I'll let you pull ahead of me and
we'll follow you. It'd be better than if he saw me first."

 "Good plan. I hope to make things smooth for Dana here."  Doggett
said, hands on his hips.  He said, "Well, I hope that we won't have
too much trouble.  It's a little stressful for any of us to visit
Dad."

 "Yeah, I know.  Now, I'll get in my car and you pull out first then
we'll get there." Sam said.

 "Alright. Sounds like a plan."  Doggett said, getting back into his
car and shutting the door.

 When they arrived, Doggett got out of the car and said, "Dana, stay
here for a moment. Keep everyone here, I'm gonna go and knock on the
door and tell him we're here."

 Doggett knocked on the door. He waited patiently for his Dad to
answer the door.  He heard the door locks open and a large older man
opened the door.  "John, it's good to see you. Well, where is your
lady friend you insist on living in sin with?"

 Doggett said, "I'll go and get Dana and her baby.  Don't be insulting
to her, okay?"

 His dad said, "Who's in the new fancy expensive car?"

 "You'll see."  Doggett came back to Scully. He said, "Alright.
Everyone let's go. Dad's not too crabby. He's his usual. Not much more
though."

 Sam and Jo Jo followed Scully and Doggett. When all of them
approached the door, Doggett's father said, "Why did you bring him
here?"

 Doggett said, "He's doin' this for me, Dad.  That expensive car is
his. He's famous now, Dad.  He came to visit you while bein' on a
World Tour."

 Doggett Sr.  snorted. "He still doesn't have a real job."

 Jo Jo was about to say something when Sam pulled her back. Sam said,
"You may not want to see me, but I did this for John.  I know you
can't fucking believe that I would have the decency to do something
that someone else would want but he asked me and I did it for him. If
you can't be civil enough to John, Dana, my girlfriend or myself for a
weekend, I think that all of us should leave. I don't tolerate people
like you for a reason. Now, if we could all come inside and be civil
with each other fine. If not, that's real proof of your character."

 Doggett looked at his brother for a moment. He looked back at his dad
and waited for the biting reply. His father snorted for a moment,
glared at Sam. He then silently let them all in.
 
 Doggett was amazed that Sam had managed to talk their father down,
but he had.  Jo Jo just sat with Sam, glaring at him. She had Sam's
hand in hers and her expression was one of steel.

 Scully said, "John, I think I have to change William. Would you mind
helping me out? I got his diapers in the car trunk."

 Doggett smiled. "Be right back."

 Their father sat down in an old beat up Archie Bunker style chair. He
said, "Sam, what are you up to any ways?"

 Sam looked at him, paused a moment and said, "Touring to support my
newest album. It's going well. I can afford expensive things like my
car and I have my own studio built with my own two hands. I produced
my last album and I wrote all of the songs."

 His father said, "You sound very busy." He seemed like he was trying
to restrain himself from telling his son something.

 Jo Jo glared at him, as if she was ready to spring to her boyfriend's
defense at any moment. Scully had to shake her head when she watched
them. She was sure that someone was going to lose a fight sometime
this weekend.

 Doggett came back with Scully after they changed William.  Doggett
asked, "Where's Mom?"

 His father said, "She ran a few errands. So, John, what else are you
doing and where do you work in the F.B.I.?"

 Doggett said, "Dana, Monica, and I all work on what is called the
X-files. I was assigned to help find Dana's ex-partner.  He was found
and was fired recently."

 "So, then it is no longer necessary for you to be on these X-files.
Why do you continue to do so?"

 "I was assigned to the them during the search and I have not been
reassigned. I also choose not to." Doggett said.

 His father sighed.  "It sounds too bizarre for me. I don't like it
very much."

 "I can't change my assignment at will. Nor do I wish to." Doggett
said.

 Sam said, "John, Jo Jo and I are going to go and get something to
snack on at the local store. You want something?"

 Doggett nodded.  "Sure."

 Sam stood up, took a cigarette out and lit it.  "I'll be back.  
Don't let the little guy out of your sight, Dana.  I'll want to see
him when I get back."

 Scully said, "I won't. He'll be excited to see you. He's grown a
lot."

 "I noticed.  Let's go Jo Jo."  They walked out, to the car and pulled
away.

 Doggett, Scully and his father all sat together. Doggett said, "Let
me hold the baby for a moment."  Scully smiled. She handed the baby
over to him and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

 His father said, "What else is going on that I should know about?"

 "Well, Dana and I will be sharin' a room." Doggett said. "She wants
to do that so we're goin' to do that."

 "Not under my roof you won't."  his father said to him.

 "Dad, please, don't make this difficult. Dana and I do love each
other and if you don't like it, I'll have to enforce what Sam said."

 "Bah, who cares what that drug addict musician thinks."

 "He doesn't do drugs, Dad. He just happens to smoke a little.  Just
don't go makin' this harder than it has to be.  Sam's a good guy,
believe me."

 The door opened and Sam said, "Well, now, let me see that little
dude. I sure missed him."

 Doggett handed the baby to Sam. Sam said, "Well, little guy, it's me
again. Did you miss me?"

 The baby gurgled at him and smiled.  William laughed and waved his
arms at Sam. Sam said, "I take it as a yes.  You did miss me."

 Jo Jo was silent, watching to see if anyone would say anything that
would be disrespectful.  She sat in between Sam and Doggett.  Sam was
bouncing the baby on his knee.

 Doggett's father said, "So, young lady, how did you ever meet my
youngest son?"

 Jo Jo looked at him for a moment, then looked at Sam. She said, "I
met him after a concert.  It's a very long story."

 Sam said, "Yeah.  I saw her after the concert being shy. I always
sign autographs after a 2 to 3 hour show and I just had to talk to
her. See if she wanted anything signed because everyone was so much
bigger and she hates crowds, don't you Jo Jo?"

 Jo Jo smiled, "Yeah."

 "Anyways, I thought that it was funny that I'd run into a blonde
after my concert, cause I had made fun of Britney Spears. It's pretty
funny actually.  I can't stand that dumb bitch Britney. But I saw her
and I thought, now this, this girl is different. She wouldn't be at
one of my concerts if she was into all of that pop shit."

 Doggett laughed.  He said, "I can see that."

 Sam said, "I got a CD in my car. I don't know if you'll want to hear
it, Dad, but I'm giving you the option. I don't want to be rude and
not let you hear it."

 His father looked at him. "Fine, let's hear what you're wasting your
life on."

 Sam got up, walked out the door alone and came back in with the CDs
of his.  He said, "The second one.  You'll be okay with that one more
than the first. The first is really punkish."

 His father watched him put it in the CD player and waited for it to
start playing. He said, "It had better be good."

 Sam smiled.  "I'm sure you've heard this song on the radio a lot. Bet
you didn't even know it was me."

 He scanned a head to play the song that Scully knew if his father
knew the meaning to would be appalled.  The song started with a quiet
guitar and a nice melody.  Then drums were added and the music was
more complicated.

 His father listened to the lyrics, squinting his eyes.  "What do you
mean by these?"

 "These lyrics?  Well, it's a son seeking to be forgiven by his
father." Sam said.  "You'll see why."

 The song hit the high note of Sam's singing and hit the chorus. His
father said, "What's this not remembering stuff mean?"

 "That, that's the other meaning of the song." Sam said. "You really
don't want to know the meaning of the song."

 Scully giggled.  "Well, at least you didn't write a song about the
other thing."

 Sam rolled his eyes. "It's a very beautiful piece. I had a lot of fun
writing it."

 His father said, "What's all of this, did you do this all by
yourself?"

 "No, Randy helped me program it and I wrote the lyrics and the music
with Randy.  We put it together over our Mac and made it into a song.
That's how we made this album.  It's musically and electronically made
by combining all of the guitars and the other instruments and my
voice."

 They came to the line that would make the song very important.  His
father said, "I'm not so sure what I think. It's not what I expected.
What do the other songs sound like?"

 "Well, the first one is, loud. But it's like 4 songs in one. It's
very complicated and very intricate. I wrote it about celebrating
nothing. It's to have fun and not celebrate something just to
celebrate nothing at all and that's what more people need to do."  
Sam put the CD to start. "That song is sort of our pop cross over.
This song is more of our true sound."

 The heavy drums startled his father and he glared at him. "This is
the rubbish you make?"

 He listened to Sam's screaming vocals and wondered what the song was
about, if he could even classify it as a song. The harsh lyrics made
him turn red in the face.  Suddenly the chorus started and he calmed,
even though the drums were loud the singing was softer. He nodded.  
"This part, I like."

 Sam smiled. "Wait for this." The chorus ended with Sam screaming. He
then went into a very harsh line. It made his father look very angry.
He said, "What is this about?"

 "This is the angry punk side. The chorus is the soft don't care mood
part of the song.  It's the hills and valleys of the song.  See, I do
work hard at this. You just never cared."

 The song went into instrumental and his father listened, trying to
figure the next part out. He said, "It's soft and it's not the
chorus."

 "That's a valley part of the record. I learned how to sing on this
one.  It's a 7 minute song. If you were to take apart what Randy and I
did you'd find that it's about 4."

 The really quiet part of the song came and it dropped to a hush. His
father wondered what was going to happen in the song. "What's this
part mean?"

 "It doesn't mean anything. It's really a song about nothing, a song
about celebrating, a song about being.  This part is the quiet part of
it." Sam said.

 His father jumped when it got to the loud part.  He hadn't expected
that and the noise that Sam was making was terrible on his ears. He
said, "This is a little rough on an old man's ears."

 "If it ain't loud, it ain't good." Sam said, with a smile.

 After Sam finished showing him the CD, he sat back down with Jo Jo.
He said, "So, is it not a real job?  I had to work really hard to get
where I am today. Trust me. It's not fun when you get to pick the
artwork and have to check the whole song with every song."

 His father said, "It's still lazy work. I don't see how people pay
you a lot of money for that and the average everyday worker get
nothing almost."

 Sam said, "Dad, we were going to be civil right? I don't want to do
this to you, but you did it to me once. I'm only here for John and I
will not tolerate that shit from you.  I don't have to.  Neither does
John and if you can't stop being hoity toity, all I can say is hey old
man, I got something for you."

 Doggett held back a laugh. He said, "I got that song here in my car.
I was gonna give it back to you."

 Sam smiled. "Oh really? You brought it along? I loved that song."

 Doggett let go of Scully's hand and went out to the car to get it. He
said, "This, this will be good."

 Sam said, "I did this for a soundtrack.  Well, actually it's about
old people and mean old rock and roll bands that don't know when to
fucking quit, but I think it's a great song. I love it."

 Scully smiled. She said, "I wouldn't play that one."

 "Why the fuck not?  It's a good song."

 His father said, "One more swear word, boy, and that's it, you're out
of this house for good."

 "Shit. There.  Don't see me getting up, do you?" Sam said, smiling at
him, deviously. He was not going to back down. "I think I have a right
to express myself in any fucking way I please. If you don't like it,
tough."

 Scully shook her head. Jo Jo said, "I don't see why you can't respect
what he does. He's very good at it and it is work. Just because it's
not your type of work it doesn't mean that it isn't work. I'm a poet
and if you think that's not work, try doing it just once. I think
you're very rude."

 Doggett Sr turned angry eyes towards Jo Jo. He said, "What did you
say, little girl?"

 "I said, you're rude."

 He stood up and shouted, "In my own house! How dare you!"

 "Go ahead, beat me. I'm not afraid of the likes of you. Hit me. I
don't think it'll phase me. I've been hit before." Jo Jo said, looking
up. She could tell he wanted to.

 Scully said, "As a Federal Agent, you lay one finger on anyone in
this room, and I or John will handle the situation as such."

 Doggett came back in. He said, "What is goin' on in here?  It sounds
like a war?  Dad, what's the matter?"

 "This woman, this girl who hasn't even grown up yet told me that I'm
rude in my own house." He said.

 Doggett said, "Just calm down. She's just outspoken. Some people are
that way."

 Scully sighed. "Well, I'm hungry. I'm sure this little guy is."

 Sam said, "You want him back?"

 Sam said, "You try any of the shit you did to me as a kid and I swear
to God that I will have you legally taken away.  I won't tolerate it."

 Doggett Sr. said, "I think I'll decide what is tolerated and what is
not, boy."

 "Boy, I'm not your boy. I'm a full grown man and I'd like you to
treat me as such.  If you can't handle it, too bad. You leave Jo Jo
alone. She is not something to be rude to."  Sam said, taking a
cigarette out. He lit it and said while blowing smoke in his father's
face, "Why the hell do you think I got the hell out of here as fast as
I could? You hated me. You always have."

 Doggett said, "Why don't we get some supper and deal with this
later."

 Scully said, "I second that motion."

 Sam said, "Yeah, I'm hungry. Let's go out to eat, we'll let Dad come
if he wants and we'll all come home and find something to do."

 Doggett Sr. said, "Fine, but you be polite in public boy."

 "Most likely fans will want autographs. They know I'm on tour." Sam
said, flicking some ashes rudely to the ground. He figured if his
father was going to be rude, he'd show him how that got on peoples
nerves. He'd clean it up later.

 When Sam and Jo Jo got into the car, Jo Jo asked, "What did he do to
you as a child."

 "Beat me. He beat me a lot. I hate him but if it wasn't for John I
wouldn't have ever come back to this dump.  I hate this place."  Sam
said, putting his cigarette in the ash tray.

 "I'm sorry. I know what it feels like to be abused. Why do you think
I said I wasn't scared?" Jo Jo said, softly.

 Sam put a hand onto her cheek.  "I know. Now, Dad is going with John
and Dana I see. I hope he let Mom know. Oh, wait Mom just came home.  
She'll go with them I'm sure. Jo Jo, don't worry. I won't let him do
anything to you."

 Jo Jo said, "Trust me. That's why I have these." She held up her
hands and showed him her proud display of long finger nails.  They
were unpainted but each finger had its own nail that was about a
quarter to half inch long.

 Sam said, "That's my girl. Don't you worry.  Let's get our food, set
up for the night and hope that nothing stupid happens."


 When they got to the restaurant Doggett, Scully, Sam, Jo Jo and
William all took one booth. Doggett Sr and his wife took a separate
one not far away. Doggett Sr looked very crabby and rather upset that
he had to spend any time with his son. His wife whispered, "Sam came
home? Why?  You know I've missed him."

 "He won't be around for long. Don't go getting sentimental over the
worthless excuse for a son."

 She made her eyes down cast and nodded. She knew that if she upset
him she'd be very sorry about it later on. She took out her menu and
started to look at it rather than talk.

 Sam was telling a funny story and laughing. He had a cigarette in
hand and was gesturing with his hands. Doggett and Scully were
smiling.  Jo Jo looked a little shy at first, but then she started to
calm down and help Sam tell the story he was telling through fits of
laughter.

 Doggett Sr. said, "Would you listen to that animal. He talks like he
grew up in some ghetto. He doesn't even care if this is a public
place, just goes on and on about some crazy thing he did."

 His wife stayed silent.  She was trying to decide upon what she would
have for supper and ignore her husband's rants since he was just
getting to be repetitive and it would save her getting into trouble
later on.

 Doggett Sr. said, "Would you look at that girl of his?  No manners or
respect for those older than her.  Doesn't realize her place as a
woman either. At least John found someone who might fit that bill. She
doesn't even have a real job. A POET.  That's not work."

 Doggett was laughing really hard. Doggett Sr. said, "Look at John,
just hanging on every word that scoundrel has to say like it's the
best he's ever heard and laughing rudely in public."

 His wife looked up for a moment and hid a half smile. She knew that
it was more fun to be at that table but she didn't dare try to get up
and join them.  It would cause such problems later on. She knew the
way he had treated Sam and she remembered being like him when she was
younger and then Doggett Sr. had broken her spirit. Sam was her baby
and she loved him and missed him but she knew she had no way out of
her predicament.

 Scully was laughing too and she couldn't believe the fun that she was
having at the table. A few words of Sam's got to his father's ears.
"Man, when we went to the next city, some one had been at the concert
in D.C.  They wanted to know if I had any more family members along.  
They loved you guys.  It was fucking unbelievable, the show, we played
our biggest hits and my fave songs. I couldn't believe how the crowd
got into it at that one. Everyone was dancing and singing and having a
great fucking time.  It was a blast."

 Doggett Sr. shook his head. He couldn't believe his son had that for
a job and actually had made money. He knew that his son was a good
guitar player, he just hated the fact that it took him somewhere.

 At Doggett's table, Sam was telling them about the time he had
actually broke his wrist. He said, "Yeah, I was dumb.  I was
celebrating another song being finished and I was walking into my
apartment and I fell on the ice that was there. I bled and everything.  
I didn't want to go to the hospital but eventually I had to.  I mean,
I did have a broken wrist after all."

 Doggett laughed.  "Of all the things you do, you'd end up breakin'
your wrist on ice. That is too funny."

 Jo Jo said, "He didn't stop though.  Kept making music and well, he's
okay now." She was trying not to laugh but it didn't work out very
well.

 Sam put his arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer to himself.
He said, "You laughing at me?"

 "Why would I do something like that?"  She asked him, amusement in
her eyes.

 "Cause I know you.  You like to laugh at me when I do stupid things."
Sam said.  He put his cigarette in the ash tray and picked up his
menu.  "You know what you're getting, Jo Jo?"

 "No. Not really."  She said. "I was too busy laughing at you."

 Scully said, "I never laugh at John. Do I ever laugh at you, John?"

 Doggett said, "Don't go lyin'. You laugh at me all the time.  
Especially now that you can go to work.  You just make it so much
harder."

 William gurgled and Sam said, "Whoa, the little dude has spoken. What
is it?"

 Jo Jo laughed. "The little dude has spoken?"

 "Yep."

 Scully turned towards William.  She said, "What is it, William?"

 William lifted his arms up and hit the small table in front of him
over and over again while laughing.  He seemed like he wanted
something.

 Doggett said, "I think he's hungry.  I got the baby food in the car.
I'll be right back with it."

 Scully smiled.  "Alright, but you feed him this time.  I can't get
him to keep his mouth open and you can."

 Doggett bent down, gave her a kiss and said, "I'll be back in a
moment."

 Sam said, "The little guy is getting big."

 "Yeah. He's growing constantly and he hit major teething.  Will, open
your mouth for momma." Scully said.  "We want Uncle Sam to see your
two teeth."

 Sam said, "Whoa, two teeth?"

 Jo Jo said, "Yeah, babies grow them and then you can see them.  It's
called being human silly."

 Sam said, "Smart ass.  Let's see the teeth."

 William giggled and looked at Sam. He opened his mouth wide in a yawn
and Sam said, "The little dude has two teeth. Wow. They look great."

 "He hates having them come in." Scully said.

 "I bet he does." Sam said. "He's getting really cute. Even has your
hair color, Dana."

 Doggett came back with the baby food.  Scully scooted in and Doggett
started to feed William. He made a train noise, trying to get William
to open up his mouth for the spoon. It worked.

 Sam laughed. "I remember when you made those noises for Luke."

 Doggett said, "They still work, don't they?"

 They left the restaurant and went back to Doggett Sr.'s place.  Sam
said, "Jo Jo, where do you want to stay the night?"

 Jo Jo looked at him.  "I don't really care.  It doesn't matter to
me." She waited for him to get out of the car and shouted, "Don't
forget your book!"

 Sam sighed. "Wouldn't want that to happen.  Let's see, Dad hates the
fact that I have money for something I love. He'll really hate the
fact that I read Hemingway."

 Doggett caught this.  "You? You read Hemingway?"  Doggett laughed.
"You are right, Dad will freak."

 Sam said, "I don't give a rat's ass.  Dad doesn't to know or care. He
could go sit in his chair and die for all I care.  He doesn't think I
should be alive."

 Doggett said, "Sam, I know he's hard on you, but really."

 Sam stopped.  "Hard on me? Were you even fucking there for half the
shit he pulled on me? I hate him and he hates me. He started it, John.  
He did things to me you don't even know about. He did things to Mom
you don't even know about.  I never told you them, cause I know you're
closer to Dad. Forget it, John. I won't tell you unless it's just you
and me and we're not here."

 Doggett pulled his brother closer to him to ask softly, "What did he
do to you?"

 Sam looked down.  "You don't want to fucking know."

 Doggett said loud enough for everyone to hear, "Sam and I are goin'
run an errand real quick.  It'll give you a break, Dad."

 Sam said, "My car."

 They got into his car and Doggett said, "Are you goin' to tell me?"

 "Yes. I will when we get there. You are not going to like this. I've
never ever told you.  I don't want to tell you now. Not here. Not
while he can still see me."  Sam had one hand on the wheel and one
hand in his pockets fumbling for a cigarette.  He found one, stuck it
in his mouth and pushed the lighter in the car in.

 Doggett wondered what had shaken Sam so much. He asked, "What did Dad
do to you?"

 Sam pulled over on the side of the road.  He said, "John, what that
monster fucking did to me was what he did to Mom. I didn't break. She
did." The lighter popped and he took it and lit his cigarette. "See,
John, you weren't there for it all. He broke Mom before we were born.
He tried to break me after you left the house."

 Doggett asked, "What are you talkin' about, Sam?"

 "Dad, he didn't just try to fucking control me. He tried to live my
fucking life for me and he tried to make me something I don't want to
be. He beat me, John. He beat me a lot and you never knew about it
because you were in the fucking military and college and I was left
alone to fucking defend myself.  He beat my sister too.  The bastard
got away with it. I never told you because I knew that it would ruin
any chance you had with Dad."

 Doggett put a hand onto Sam's shoulder.  "I'm glad you told me.  I
think I needed to hear that. Do you think he still beats Mom?"

 "Probably. The sick bastard can't get me anymore. He tries anything
and he's going to be sorry.  Especially if it's to Jo Jo."

 Doggett pulled back from his brother for a moment. He set his jaw for
a moment, and his eyes squinted.  "If I would have known, Sam. I
wouldn't have let him do what he did to you and what he does to Mom."

 "You couldn't have fucking known. He hid it and if I breathed a word
he'd make sure the next time he got his hands on me, I'd be dead
instead of injured. He made sure to hide it from everyone. He hit me
where no one could see and I couldn't do anything about it. Now I can.  
He better not touch Jo Jo. She's had enough of it too. And to top it
all off, I had some of it at school too. Remember how skinny I used to
be?"

 Doggett smiled.  "Yeah." Then his expression soured.  "So you had it
in both fronts?"

 Sam took a drag from his cigarette.  "Yeah. I did. He hated me. I
started a band in high school.  He really hated that.  I know that he
did.  He told me personally.  But I wasn't about to give up and give
in.  Music is my fucking life and no one will tell me it isn't."

Doggett said, "I see. I hope he leaves Dana alone.  For his sake and
not hers as much.  He doesn't know what happens when she loses her
temper."

 "He doesn't know what Jo Jo will do either. She's a fighter. She'll
make sure he knows how she feels about it, either that or she'll just
freeze."  Sam put his cigarette out and lit another one nervously. "I
have only told Jo Jo and you this. I hope you know that. I just don't
like people knowing that. It's sort of a private thing, but when Jo Jo
told me what she went through, I knew I had to talk to someone.  I
talked to her first. Now you know."

 Doggett said, "I'm so sorry.  If I would have known; if I could have
done somethin' I would have.  Sam, you're my brother. I love you and
well, I know you don't like mushy, I'll not let him do that to you
again.  He's old now. He can't do what he did to you to you now. If he
tries anythin', I'll take care of it."

 Sam smiled half heartedly, "I hated when you left home. I hated the
fucking military for taking you away from me. I had only one person I
could fucking trust and they took him away. You were it. Back then, I
could trust very few people. I couldn't trust Dad, I couldn't trust
Mom, and I couldn't trust any of our sisters.  Not even my own twin.  
But then she was scared of Dad too."

 Doggett said, "Wonder why Dad never did this to me."

 "Cause you did whatever Dad fucking wanted. You were always doing
what he wanted. I didn't.  So, he punished me.  I didn't want to take
classes in business management in high school. He hated the fact that
I got into music and now that I'm making money, he'll want to get me
for that too. After this weekend, I don't care, I never want to see
his fucking face again. I don't want to hear about him, see him, or
talk to him. Clear?" Sam put out his second cigarette, only half
smoked and put the car in drive. "Let's get back before Jo Jo sets Dad
off."

 When they got back to the house, Jo Jo was sitting on the front step.
She got up and ran to Sam when he stepped out of the car. Sam said,
"Whoa, whoa, I was only gone for a few minutes."

 Jo Jo said, "I don't like your dad. He's creepy."

 Sam looked at Doggett then down at Jo Jo. "What did he do?"

 "Well, let's see, he made me so mad that I had to come out here. He
was dissing you up and down and he acted like he was better than me
and I couldn't take it anymore. I could only wait for you.  I think
he's not very nice."

 "That's an understatement.  Is Dana alright?"

 Doggett nodded that he would go inside and let Sam and Jo Jo stay
outside. He entered the house and after he was gone, Sam asked, "He
didn't do anything else, did he?"

 "No. He didn't. I just couldn't take it anymore. He said some nasty
things about you. I don't like him." Jo Jo said, her head on his
chest.

 Sam sighed. "I bet he had some choice words. That's it, John comes
out and we're all leaving.  I told him he has to be civil or else.  
Don't worry, we won't have to see him again. That bastard.  Thinks he
can say what ever the fuck he wants and treat anyone any way he feels
like. It doesn't work that way."

 Sam heard shouting coming from the house. At first he disregarded it
until he realized it was Doggett who was shouting and not his father.
He said, "Stay here. I think it's gonna get ugly in there and I don't
want to risk you. I know you can handle it, but it'd be best if you
didn't."

 Jo Jo nodded. She watched him go inside. Sam stepped in to her
Doggett say, "I can't believe you said that to Dana.  How dare you
tell her what to do! She has had enough problems.  I'm sorry, but you
can't say what you just said to her. She is NOT a hussy. Don't you
EVER call her that again."

 Sam said, "Whoa, whoa.  I thought we could be civil for a week end."

 Scully was standing not far from Doggett.  She was standing back
straight, her chin defiantly held and her eyes on fire. She said, "You
do not even know me. How dare you. I don't know why you think you can
treat people the way you did and I don't understand how you had two
good sons like you did, but you, you ARE nothing but rude and cruel."

 Doggett Sr. stood up. He raised his hand to strike Scully when
Doggett grabbed his arm and twisted it. "That you will never do. I
just learned from Sam that you do this to Mom and you did it to him.
You, I don't respect you and just like you cut Sam out, I'm cuttin'
you free."

 Doggett Sr. got out of Doggett's grasp.  He glared at Doggett.  
"John Doggett, you are never going to be welcome in my house again.
Take your hussy girl friend that you choose to live in sin with and
her love child and get out.  Take your brother and his rude girl
friend while your at it. I never want to speak to you again."

 "Not a problem.  Come on Dana, let's go." Doggett said, his blue eyes
like steel. He took Dana's hand and picked up the baby carrier.  
"Never ever call me for anythin'. I will not talk to you. You are no
longer a part of my life. I will get Mom help. Trust me. I'm F.B.I."

 Sam walked out after he said, "I told you to be fucking civil. You
couldn't do that for ONE lousy shitty weekend, could you?"  He took a
cigarette out and lit it. "Yeah, you just lost John forever. Hope
you're happy, cause Mom is next and I swear to God if she dies, it'll
rest on your head, not mine or John's."

 He joined everyone else and Jo Jo hugged him. She said, "Well, that
was fun. Let's go somewhere else."

 Doggett was over by his car, arms crossed, his eyes like steel. He
looked like wanted to break something.  He said deathly quiet, "We are
not leavin' without Mom.  She goes with us."

 Doggett walked back into the house and helped his mother out of the
house. He said, "Now we can get the hell out of here.  I don't ever
want to talk of here, see here, or hear of here. Dad is through."

 His mother sat silently in the back seat. She finally said, "He will
come after me, you do realize this."

 "I don't give a shit." Doggett was so mad that he actually swore. He
said, "Now, let's all go back to my place. He pulls anything and he
will be starin' down my Sig. I don't want him to come near you, Mom.  
What he did, he was wrong to do."

 Dana sat in the passenger seat silent. She had never seen Doggett
this mad. Reyes had told her about how he had yelled at Mulder, but
this, this was worse. She watched him shove the car into drive, his
jaw locked in anger. He honked loudly and shouted, "Sam! My place."

 Sam nodded back from his car. "Meet you there!"

 Doggett hit the gas pedal and drove off in silence. He was too angry
to even speak and Scully wondered if he was going to get them home
safely. She was not about to say a word to him about it.  She knew
he'd be too angry that he'd say something he'd regret.

 William was silent in the back seat, as if he knew there was
something wrong and he should sit still. He waved his arms at
Doggett's mother and instantly and in silence, she took care of the
baby.

 Doggett swung the car around a curve, and said silently, "Why didn't
you ever tell me, Mom. I'm law enforcement. I can do somethin' about
it."

 "By then, John, your father had crushed me.  I, a long time ago, was
a lot like Sam.  He, he was my baby and I loved him dearly, but I
couldn't do the things for him I wished to do. Your father wouldn't
allow it.  He has hated him since he got a guitar for his birthday."

 Doggett didn't remove his eyes from the road. He said, "When we get
to my place, take the guest room. Dana and I already share a room.
Sam, we'll put Sam in the other guest room. Like I said, he can come
and rant at us all he wants. I will NOT let him get away with this."

 Scully sat with her hands clasped. She knew that Doggett was going to
be okay and was doing the right thing. She wondered how he ever turned
out the way he did with a father like that.

 Scully picked up a CD and said, "Your brother left this in here."

 "Stick it in. It might help." Doggett growled low in his throat. "I
think I need some screamin' in some music. It might prevent me from
screamin'."

 Doggett smiled slightly when he heard the song. He said, "This song,
Sam got it just right."  Scully turned it up a little bit and sighed.
Doggett was cooling off. She listened to some of the lyrics.

*Hey old man got something for you Change your mind gonna make you
take it Your mistake is something you own I'm the one who's gonna take
it Hey old man got something for you Hey old man got a real good tip
Something's wrong and you don't know it* (Filter, Richard Patrick,
Jurassitol)

 Scully smiled.  She shook her head.  Sam was very good at the music
he made. She knew that this would help Doggett calm down a little. It
was a good song.

 Doggett's mother smiled quietly.  She was proud of her son and had
actually heard some of his music when her husband wasn't looking. She
knew that her son had talent and she knew that he would express it.
She smiled down at William. At least this child would never see the
abuse.  She wondered what the story behind the baby was.

 Doggett started to thrum the steering wheel. He started to bob his
head and calm down. Scully said, "When we get home, what are we going
to do?"

 "Hmm, we'll ask Sam. I want to talk to this Jo Jo and get to know her
more.  She seemed nice."

 Scully smiled.  "Yeah. Just the type to keep Sam grounded. I hope.  
He's well, Sam."

 Doggett laughed.  "That he is. So, Mom, what do you want to do when
we get home?"

 His mother said, "I want to ask Dana a question. Where is the real
father of this child? I just would like to know."

 Scully said, "He left me with the baby. It's complicated.  John has
been a big help."

 Doggett winked at her. "I hope I've been more than that."

 "Yeah, well, John, not now. Let's get home, find something to do and
decide what we will do next." Scully said.

 When they got to Doggett's, Sam got out of his car and smiled at his
brother.  He said, "That was fucking amazing. I can't believe you did
that to him!"

 Doggett said, "Well, let's not talk about it. Let's go inside and
find somethin' entertain' to do. Anythin', as long as it doesn't
involve Dad."

 Sam said, "Good plan.  How's Dana?"

 Scully got out. She walked up to Doggett and took his hand into hers.
She said, "I've had better days and I've been insulted worse. Let's
just get inside and get everyone settled."

 Sam lit a cigarette and said, "Alright.  Sounds like a plan.  Now,
where does everyone sleep?"

 Doggett said, "You and Jo Jo can take the guest room you had last
time, and Mom will take Dana's old guest room. She hasn't slept there
in a month any ways."

 Sam smiled. "That's okay. I like it. Knew you wouldn't care who slept
where too much."

 "Well, no." Doggett said.

 They went inside and sat down. Jo Jo said, "Sam, when do we go out on
the next show?"

 "Next week." He sat down and put his arm around her.  "You know it'll
be a blast."

 Doggett said, "Mom, can I get you anything?"

 His mother sat down in a chair, looking a little timid. She then
said, "Yes, John.  I'll take a cup of coffee. If it isn't too much of
a problem."

 Doggett said, "Not a problem. I wouldn't mind at all. Anyone else
want some coffee?"

 Scully said, "I'd like some too."

 Jo Jo asked, "Any Coke?"

 Sam laughed.  "Wondered how long it'd take you to ask for that."

 Jo Jo stuck her tongue out at him.  "Well, so what. I like it and
well, so I'm going to drink some."

 Sam said, "Don't go getting feisty on me. It might end badly."

 Jo Jo punched his arm lightly. "For you and not for me, maybe."

 Sam laughed. "You are too much."

 Scully shook her head. She was happy that Sam had someone.  She said,
"John, did you bring William's baby food home?"

 "Yeah."

 "Okay, just checking."  Scully called back.  She went to the
answering machine and looked to see if there were any messages. She
said, "John, we got a message."

 Doggett came out.  "Well, then let's hear them."

 Scully pushed the button and Mulder's voice came over the machine.
"Scully, I got this number from the Gunmen. They don't know I have it,
so don't go after them. I just thought I'd like to tell you something.
In person.  Meet me at the bench by the Reflecting Pool at Midnight
tomorrow night. Leave Doggett behind."

 Scully looked at Doggett. She said, "I will have to do this. He knows
where you live, John. If I don't, he'll get mad and he will come here
to talk with me.  Even if he has to break the door down."

 Doggett sighed.  "As long as you are safe. I don't want you to do
this if you don't feel safe in anyway.  If you think he might try to
do somethin', get out of there as fast as you can. I don't want you to
get hurt."

 Scully smiled.  "So caring. Now, let's not think about it for now."

 Sam said, "I can't believe you're actually going to go talk to that
dumbass. He doesn't deserve to be near you, let alone talk to you. I
hate people who think they can push another one around and cheat
them."

 Scully said, "Well, if anything, it'll allow me to get him off of my
back.  I'll tell him that I've moved on. I don't want to deal with him
anymore and if he wants to follow through with taking my son away from
me, I'll tell him exactly what I think of that."

 Doggett said, "Enough. Let's have some fun."

 Scully sat down on the sofa.  Doggett handed her a cup of coffee
after he gave one to his mother.  Jo Jo gratefully took the can of
Coke from him and opened it. Sam laughed at her. He said, "You were
going through withdrawal, weren't you."

 Jo Jo glared at him. "So." She took a long drink from her can and
smiled. Sam shook his head.

 Scully said, "Tell us more about when you two met. It can't just be I
saw her at a concert and we instantly fell in love. It doesn't work
that way."

 Sam looked down for a moment. "Well, actually, it can.  I invited her
back stage and we talked in my dressing room for a bit. It was rather
odd if you think about it."

 Doggett said, "We want to know all about it, Sam."

 Sam said, "It's nothing as interesting as you two meeting, John. I
performed a concert, saw her
 after words and asked if she wanted to talk."

 Jo Jo giggled.  "I think I about died when he did that. At least I
was the only fan left. I was waiting patiently for him to sign
autographs and I hate to be pushed around and stuff. I waited and
afterwards he decided to talk to me. I didn't know what to think."

 Doggett laughed.  "Wow, that is pretty neat. Not everyone can meet in
an office with a task force and a glass of water in the face."

 Scully elbowed him.  "You did deserve it, you know. You were being
rude and you didn't tell me who you were. You brought it upon
yourself."

 Sam laughed. "She's got you there.  Jo Jo, I'll be right back."

 Doggett said, "At least you had the decency to not say I'm gonna go
take a dump."

 Scully laughed really hard.  "Thanks for the news flash, John."

 Doggett raised his hands in surrender.  "Hey, I was just sayin' he
didn't say that and well, I'm proud."

 Sam said, "When I get back, you are going to get it."

 Doggett laughed.  "Uh huh. I'm bigger and meaner than you."

 Sam shook his head.

 Doggett asked, "So, Jo Jo, what ever made you want to come out and
meet Dad when you knew what he did to Sam?"

 Jo Jo sighed, "I didn't want him to go there without me cause, I
don't know, I just didn't want him to go there and not have me along
to keep him calm enough. I see it didn't really matter."

 Sam came back down, sat down on the couch and put his arm around Jo
Jo. "Were you talking about me while I wasn't here?  Damn, you know I
hate that."

 Jo Jo giggled.  "Your brother started it."

 Sam glared at Doggett for a moment. He shrugged his shoulders and
sighed. "What ever.  So, what we doing for now?"

 Scully said, "I think we should make sure that the house is secure
tonight.  If you are right, Mrs. Doggett, he very well may come after
you."

 Mrs. Doggett said, "Call me Mary. I know that Joseph has a bad anger
management problem and that I know that he will try to get me back. It
will only be a matter of time.  I've tried to get away from him once."

 Doggett said, "This time it will be different. He comes here and
messes around on anything he is messing with the Federal Bureau of
Investigation. I don't think they'd like the idea of him trying to
physically assault two Federal Agents."

 Sam said, "Yeah, that would be bad.  Would they mind if I tried to
get one in a head lock though?"

 Doggett said, "They might."

 Scully shook her head. "No they wouldn't, John.  Don't say anything
like that. If it's not meant to actually hurt it's okay."

 Sam said, "Cool, I can get you in a head lock then."

 Doggett said, "First you will have to try to get me in one."

 "Okay. I bet I can."

 "I bet you can't and I'll get YOU in a head lock."  Doggett said.

 "You're on." Sam got up and tried to get his brother in a head lock.  
Doggett went for Sam's middle, picking him up.

 Sam said, hitting his fists on his brother's back, "No fair."

 Doggett set him down and was about to walk away when Sam grabbed him.  
Doggett stomped on Sam's toes and said, "See, you couldn't."

 Sam said, "You cheated."

 "I did not."

 Mary Doggett said, "Boys, that's enough."

 Jo Jo was giggling.  She said, "Don't, you'll make me laugh too
hard."

 Sam sat back down, kissed Jo Jo's cheek and said, "Damn, I can get
the guys at home but not John. Not fair."

 Jo Jo said, "None of the band members are F.B.I., silly."

 Doggett sat down next to Scully.  "Now that is out of the way, what
do you wanna do now?"