Title: Breakout 10
Author: Cinnamon Scully
Category: SRH DSR Angst, Humor
Rating: NC-17 for language and adult situations
Summary: Sequel to Endings and Beginnings. Takes place ten years
later.
Disclaimer: I do not own the X-files characters, nor do I own anything
that has anything to do with Richard Patrick or Filter, All
information found on Richard Patrick has been documented and is
disclaimed to be the possession of such sites. I also do not own any
rights to Nine Inch Nails or Trent Reznor. All lyrics have been
documented to the album they come from and are as such. All situations
therin are fictional unless documented. Fiction and Reality is
interweaved throughout the story, but the situations therin are
created by the author for entertainment purposes only. Refer to the
website that corrolates with this story to find out the truths and
discern from the fiction. No money has been made off of this story.
Email: richfactwebmistress@yahoo.com
Website:http://muldersprettyladynin.tripod.com/
richfactsafiltersite/


     Kathy sighed when she heard a knock on the door. She got up from
her chair, making her way slowly to the door. Once she arrived, she
opened it to find Jo Jo on the other side. "Jo Jo! I didn't expect you
to be here."

     "I didn't expect to see you answer the door. Where is Mike?" Jo
Jo asked, taking a peek around the corner.

     Mike groaned, lifting his head up.  He said, "Here. Here likes
Mike. May he rest in peace." He lay his head back down, murmuring
quietly to himself.

     "Michael, don't be ridiculous.  Jo Jo is just here to see how I
was.  I guess she didn't bargain for you to be a bit under the
weather." Kathy sighed, making her way back to the chair. "He's been
like this since he woke up."

     Jo Jo shook her head at Mike. "Well, you managed to catch it. I'm
sure you'll feel much better in time." She smiled at Kathy. "I'm glad
to see you're doing much better, but you'll have to be careful with
the baby and all."

     "Don't worry. I keep washing my hands about every half an hour
just so I'm not contaminating myself all over again. Poor Michael just
got hit hard this morning. Woke up feeling a rash creep up over him."
Kathy said, shaking her head at Mike as he groaned in protest.

     Mike said, "Please, I'm dying here.  Be quiet." He rolled on to
his side, blocking the light from the room with his arm. He groaned
again.

     Jo Jo sighed. "I see it's just not a good time to visit. Uh,
Mike, Sam will be stopping by later. Said he wanted to see how Kathy
was doing as well. He's torturing his brother at the moment, I'm
sure."

     Kathy smiled. "Well, so, how was your night last night? Did it go
well at all?"

     Jo Jo smiled. "Yes, better than expected, actually. I think we
actually talked for the first time in a long time.  Not to mention
some other things happened.  I'll keep them to myself for the sake of
the sick boy."

     Mike snorted. "Thank you, thank you for sparing me the details of
your sex life with Sam. It's bad enough he's visiting later." He put
his head back down, burrowing more into his arm.

     "I could always tell you, you know. Though I suspect Sam might do
that for me, if you provoke him to, Mike. Only thing is, he'll make
all of it up." Jo Jo said, laughing at Mike, who was now pretending
none of this was happening.

     Kathy sighed. "Well, tell us at least a little what happened."

     "Sam and I talked about how we feel. Not just about what is
happening with Beth, but about everything. We had to think about if
we're staying together for the kids or if we're doing this for
ourselves. It came out we're doing this for ourselves. No matter how
much I love the children, the only way Sam and I can say we're staying
together for real is if we do it for each other, not for the
children." She sighed. "It was a night with many, many emotions."

     Kathy nodded. "I understand.  Children do demand a lot of
attention and are top priorities but somethings in a marriage aren't
about the children at all. I'm glad you two are working it out."

     Jo Jo nodded. "Me too. It's been very hard dealing with one
another because everyone is so touchy about what is going on with
Beth. I had to think really hard about what I really felt about Sam.
And, I realized that I am still in love with him just like the day I
met him. It just got clouded over.  I just hope we can continue to
work these issues out."

     Kathy smiled. "I'm sure you are off to a good start from what you
said.  Hopefully things will get better very soon and I hope that we
don't hear anything bad for awhile. None of us need it. Especially you
and Sam."

     Jo Jo nodded. "I know. Hopefully today will be a quiet day."



     Sam knocked softly on his brother's door, his eyes squinting as
he was still waking up. He said, "Hey man, what's up?"

     Doggett shook his head after he opened the door. "I thought you
and Jo Jo would still be spendin' some time together. What brings you
here?"

     "Jo Jo said she wanted to see what Mike and Kathy were up to and
I thought I'd check in with you. Don't worry, last night went well.
Better than I had hoped, actually." Sam said, smiling sheepishly.  He
stepped into the room, sitting down in a chair by the table.

     Doggett said, "Oh? I won't ask for the gory details, though I'm
sure you're not afraid to share." He smiled, watching his brother
glare.

     Sam said, "You know, you can be a real asshole in the morning.
So, what's up with you and stuff?"

     "Not much. Dana went to get us breakfast a bit ago and I took a
shower awhile ago. Brian is working on some stuff but other than that,
it's pretty dull over here." Doggett smiled at his brother. "So, tell
me more about your night."

     "Well, supper was very strange. I felt like I was some horny
sixteen year old boy all over again. I felt sorta geeky, too. We
danced a bit, then we ate and went upstairs. From there, well, I'll
skip over somethings, but we talked a lot about what we are feeling.
For the first time I really, truly feel connected to Jo Jo again in
months. And I'm not bullshitting you this time." Sam said, pulling a
cigarette out. "I mean it.  This time it feels real."

     Doggett smiled. "I have a funny feelin' you didn't just talk. I'm
glad you're not tellin' me about that. I don't want to hear about that
stuff."

     Sam nodded. "I didn't think you did and I wouldn't tell you
anyways.  Not unless I could lie about it. Then it'd be fun to see
your face get all embarrassed." Sam took a drag on his cigarette. "I
just know that for once I'm happy again with her. I know we've still
got a long road to go but I feel comfortable and happy with her
again."

     "That's good to hear. I hope Jo Jo feels the same as you do."

     "Me too. Oh you have no idea."  Sam smiled. "She's coming to see
you, you know." He pointed with his hand, cigarette hanging in his
fingers.  "Wants to talk to you about something.  What, that's up to
her. I was going to see Mike and Kathy later; see if she's feeling any
better."

     "I'd be careful how you do that, Sam. Mike gets very protective
and snappy when she's sick." Doggett said.

     "You don't think I don't know that? Yeah he can be a big asshole
when she's not feeling good, but I know why he does that. I've never
figured out exactly why he feels guilty for Josh's actions so long
ago, but he does so he tries to make it all up to her, like he did it.
He's got some guilt complex with her that I don't get." Sam said,
putting his smoke out.

     "I think it's cause he hates to see her in pain and thinks it was
unfair for her to have so many years she didn't get anything she
wanted. I think he's trying to make up for lost time he wished he
could have had with her." Doggett said.

     "Yeah, you're probably right.  He's weird that way. But, that's
Mike for you. Nothing you can do about it but let him do so." Sam
said. "I just hope he's not in a pissy mood when I get there."

     Doggett laughed. "Well, I'm sure you'll deal with it if it comes
up. I'm still glad to hear about you and Jo Jo starting to patch
things up. Good for you. It's good to see."

     "Yeah. It feels pretty damn good, too."



     Jo Jo smiled when she walked into Doggett and Scully's room. She
said, "Well, how did talking with Sam go? I hope he isn't off to upset
Mike.  He's sicker than a dog."

     Doggett laughed loudly. "He told me he hoped Mike wouldn't be in
a pissy mood. I guess there went that idea."

     "Yeah. Mike was more morbid than usual to boot." Jo Jo sat down
in the same chair Sam had been sitting in. She sighed. "I just want to
thank you for helping out like you have. I don't think if you hadn't
helped we would have been able to talk. It was very hard being away
from him, but you helped me so I could do what was right. Thank you."

     Doggett nodded. "It wasn't a problem. I could tell from the way
Sam sauntered on in here that things went well." He smiled. "He didn't
give me any details, but I sorta figured that you two had some makin'
up to do."

     Jo Jo only blushed slightly. "Yeah well, I think he'll make Mike
hurl for the hell of it by telling him lies. I know Sam. He likes to
terrorize Mike until I think Mike might want to kill him."

     "Ain't that the truth. Sam and Mike are two, odd men, you know?
I'm surprised they haven't killed each other yet." Doggett said,
sighing.

     "Why do you think they were away from one another for all of
those years?  Titan control freaks like they are do not mesh well. Now
that they're not interfering on one another's projects except to give
slight advice, they don't seem to be in a constant head bunt." Jo Jo
shook her head.  "Anyways, I really just wanted to say thank you for
everything you've done.  You've taken your son and your wife out on
the road to hunt down our baby and it's not even your division's case
work."

     Doggett took Jo Jo's hand into his. "But you're my sister in law
and your baby is my niece. Plus, Mulduh falls into our lap because of
his past affiliation. Not to mention the fact that Sam is my brother.
I have many reasons to help you like I am."

     Jo Jo nodded. "I know. I just feel guilty sometimes."

     Doggett's phone startled the both of them. He held up his cell,
noticing that it was an unidentified call source, most likely a pay
phone. He answered it cautiously. "John Doggett."

     A small, little girl's voice came over the line, asking, "Uncle
John? Is that you?"

     Doggett felt his mouth go dry, licking his lips before
responding.  "Beth? Is that you?"

     Jo Jo froze. "Give me the phone!"

     Doggett shook his head no. "Where are you, Beth?"

     "I'm, I'm in LA. That mean man has been taking me from place to
place. I don't know where he plans to take me.  Please, help. I want
to come home." Beth's voice was shaking.

     Jo Jo cried out, "Baby girl! It'll be alright!"

     Doggett said, "Beth, does he know you're not in the hotel room?"

     "No. I don't think he does.  Please, I have to go before he finds
out. If he does, he'll hit me." Beth's voice became cold and hollow.
"I can't let him know I called you."

     Doggett said, "Don't worry about a thing. Can you tell us the
hotel?"

     "No, it's too big of a word for me to read. I didn't even think
to write it down. All I know is East LA. We came in from Utah." Beth
said, quietly, feeling more nervous. "I have to go. I can't be gone
for too long. Please, tell Mom and Dad I'm okay."

     Doggett said, "I will. I will." He heard the click and turned to
look over at Jo Jo.

     Jo Jo was pacing behind him, her hands shaking and her adrenaline
pumping through her. "What did she say? Is she alright? Does he hurt
her?"

     "One question at a time. She said East LA. She told me that she's
fine, but mentioned that if Mulduh finds out that she called that
he'll hit her.  That's when she didn't sound like a little girl
anymore. I'm sorry, Jo Jo."  He hugged her close to himself. "I'll get
Sam and you two can talk. I must share this with Brian immediately."

     Jo Jo nodded. She brushed a tear from her eye. "I'll go find Sam.
Go talk to Brian as fast as you can. At least she's still alive. No
more questions about that, at least for the moment."

     Jo Jo rushed out of Doggett and Scully's room, nearly tripping on
her own feet. "Damn it!" She got to Mike and Kathy's door, panting a
bit. She banged on the door loudly. "Sam! I need to talk to you!"

     She heard Mike yell, "Can't a man get any rest around here? Jesus
Christ!"

     Sam could be heard laughing. He opened the door, stepping into
the hallway. "What is it, Jo Jo?"

     Jo Jo grabbed his hand, yanking him back to their room. She
unlocked it, waiting for them to be in private.  "Sam. . .we just got
a call from Beth.  She's alive and in L.A. John just went to tell
Brian and we should be on her trail soon." The words tumbled out of
her mouth so quickly, her excitement and worry evident.

     Sam stood, jaw hanging wide open.  "You're fucking around on me."
He sat down. "Our baby girl is alive?" He looked over at her, then got
up, engulfing her into a hug. "Our baby girl is alive!" He picked her
up, twirling in circles with her, tears of mixed anxiety and joy
running down his face.

     Jo Jo was crying and laughing all at once. When Sam put her back
down, she said, "I didn't get to talk to her, but John told me what
she said. I guess she couldn't talk very long. She said that if Mulder
caught her he'd hit her so I hope that she's still okay."

     Sam felt his jaw clench, before squeezing Jo Jo's hand. "Oh,
she's alive! Finally some good news in this nightmare." He hugged her
again, a wide smile on his face. As it faded, he looked into Jo Jo's
eyes. "But how do we get her back home now without Mulder killing
her?"

     "I guess we leave that up to the agents. I'm sure Brian will know
what to do." She smiled at him, kissing him.  "It's the best news we
could have hoped for."

     Sam sighed. "It's not over yet.  We can't celebrate too much
here. Now that I know she's alive I just want to get her outta that
mad man's hands."

     Jo Jo nodded. "I know you do. I do, too." She laid her head onto
his shoulder, wrapping her arms around his torso. "It's been a long,
hard road, hasn't it?"

     Sam laughed low in his throat. "A little." He wrapped his arms
around her, placing his chin on top of her head.  "Now we just have to
finish this road.  It could all be over. . .in the next few days."

     Jo Jo began to sob, part from joy, part from emotional
exhaustion.  She sputtered, "I'm sorry. Can't control it!" She smiled
through her tears. "And the most important thing is I have you back.
Really."

     Sam rubbed her back. "I know. I'm glad to have you back, too."

     Jo Jo leaned up, kissing him softly. "I suppose they'll tell us
what we're doing next when they are ready to tell us. I'm so anxious,
Sam."

     Sam rocked her. "I know. I am, too. It's very nerve wracking at
the moment. We'll get through it. I promise."



     Beth snuck back into the hotel room, relief flooding her as she
realized the room was empty and that she had called to her uncle
without being caught. She made her way to the bed, lying down onto it,
preparing to take a nap or appear that she had been doing so while
Mulder was gone. She couldn't help but smile inside that she had
pulled off calling. Now it was only a matter of time before her uncle
could get someone sent to save her. At least, that's what she hoped.

     The hotel door opened, Mulder walking in, muttering under his
breath about something. He looked over, noticing Beth lying on the
bed, sleeping. Mulder made his way over to the bed, taping the little
girl gently on her shoulder.

     Beth opened her eyes, pretending to yawn. She rubbed them to
appear as if she was just waking.

     "I am going to get supper. There is a fast food joint across the
street.  McDonalds. What would you like to eat?"

     "Can I have an ice cream treat with my meal?" She asked, noticing
that he was in a generous mood. "I just want a plain old Happy Meal
other than that."

     Mulder said, "Sure. I can get you some ice cream. You've been
fairly good today." He smiled at her, the hollowness and insanity
chilling Beth to her core.

     Beth forced a smile back. "Thank you."

     Mulder ruffled her hair playfully, then stood up. "I'll be back.
Don't go anywhere." He exited, the door clicking behind him.

     Beth let a whoosh of air escape her. It was close, very close. A
few more minutes and she could have been caught. She sat up, turning
the television on, flipping through channels. It'd occupy her mind as
she waited for Mulder to return.

     Although she had called her uncle, she realized that this
situation wasn't over and it was still the same as before she called.
Mulder was a ticking time bomb and she knew one false move and he'd
end it. She only hoped she could survive until the help she knew was
now on the way arrived.

     Beth sighed as she thought of how her mother had sounded in the
background.  She sounded strained, tired and frightened and Beth
wished she could have done something, said something to let her mother
know she was okay, directly.  Yet, she knew she hadn't had much time
to talk and had to get the crucial information to her uncle, so she
could come home safe.

     The door opened, Mulder stomping into the room this time, his
generous and friendly mood giving way to his more psychotic nature. He
slammed the bag of food down by her, gritting out through his teeth,
"Here. Eat. Like it or go hungry."

     Beth opened the bag, noticing he had still gotten her some ice
cream.  She whispered, "Thank you. I'm sorry you had to go through
such hassle."

     Mulder glared at her, sitting down onto his own bed, his own bag
in his hand. He took out a burger and fries loudly rustling his bag.
After he opened his burger, he took a bite, chewing slowly. After he
swallowed, "You think they hire the retarded for McDonalds. I had to
say my order 5 times before any of the idiots knew what to do. They're
lucky I left my gun here."

     Beth repressed a giggle, knowing how much danger the McDonald's
workers had been in. It was humorous to her that they had mussed up
his order and now was bitching about it to her, without taking it out
on her. She said quietly, not to startle him, "I'm sorry."

     Mulder looked over at her. "I'm sure you are. How is your meal?"

     "Okay. I should eat my ice cream before it melts."

     Mulder laughed softly, almost finding another flash of humanity
in himself. "Well, you might want to.  The paper cup they put those
things in never seems to hold for very long."

     Beth nodded. "Yeah. They don't."  She kept a story about a time
when she was 7 and had some ice cream that Sam had bought her to
herself. She inwardly chuckled as she remembered hearing her father
swear because the cup had dripped all over the new sofa.



     Sam stood up, lighting a cigarette.  "Well, now what?" He paced,
nervously smoking.

     Jo Jo sighed. "I don't know. I guess Brian will tell us what we
do next."

     A knock came to the door, Sam making his way to answer it. He
stuck his cigarette haphazardly into his mouth, letting Brian in.
"Just the man I wanted to see." He took his cigarette back down.

     Brian said, "I heard the good news, but I'm gonna have to tell
you that this isn't over, not yet. Just because she called doesn't
mean that Mulder hasn't moved her already. We're closer, helluva lot
closer. Now, as soon as we get a read on her location and lock it in,
I'll be flying you two out with your brother. Mike and Kathy should
not fly.  Mike's too sick, and Kathy's far too pregnant. I'll have
Dana take them and I'll go with you and your brother, Sam.  That's
only when we hear the confirmation of location."

     Sam nodded. "Wow, it's gonna be pretty fucking weird without Mike
and Kathy around. But if it gets my baby girl home, it gets my baby
girl home.  Hmm, so when we get the news we hop on a plane?"

     "Yeah. I'll direct a flight to take off if I have to. It's fairly
quiet weather so I don't see why we can't get Regional Airport to fly
us to LA."  Brian looked over at Jo Jo. "I hear you had quite the
reaction, Jo Jo."

     "Yeah, well, we all get excited sometimes." She smiled. "Wow, it
could all be over, and soon. Sam, are you going to invite Mike and
Kathy to stay with us for awhile? Or, do you think Mike will just want
to go home."

     "You never know with him. He's, well, he's Mike. I'm sure Kathy
wouldn't mind some of the help from a woman. And, it'll keep Mike from
biting his nails in constant worry. We'll see what happens.  First
things first, we get Bethie back safely." Sam put his cigarette out.
"So, Bri, basically we oughta be packed to go, huh?"

     "Hmm. Pack one suitcase each for the trip. The rest we'll load
onto the bus. They'll take Dana, Mike and Kathy straight to Chicago.
I'm sure they'll stay in the studio while we're off in LA. Did you
give Mike a key?"

     "Yeah. Long ass time ago. Can't remember why. I think he had to
feed my cats or something one time, so I gave him the key to the
place. Told him not to steal shit." Sam said, smiling. "Why he would
want to steal anything of mine anyways, he's got the Monster Studio.
More shit than I've got."

     Jo Jo laughed. "Maybe he wants to have more stuff?" She stood up,
stretching. "I suppose we ought to get packing just incase we have to
get going.  Hopefully poor Mike will be able to make that bus ride if
it comes down to it."

     "I'm sure he will be. I'll have to go tell them the same thing I
just told you. Wish me luck. Mike might feel well enough to do
something to me." Brian said, smiling at both.

     Sam laughed. "Nah. He was outcold almost the whole time I was
there. Jo Jo woke him up. He's probably grumbled himself out by now."

     "I hope so, just as long as he listens to what I have to say."

     Brian knocked on Mike and Kathy's hotel door, waiting patiently
for Kathy to answer the door. She opened it, smiling at him. "Well, I
must say poor Michael has had a lot of visitors today."  She moved
slowly out of the way, her hand on her back to steady herself.

     Brian shook his head. "Well, we've got some developments that I
need to share with the two of you. That means you gotta listen, Mike."

     Mike groaned. "Go the fuck away and die or something. Can't you
see I'm dying?" He lay his head back down, closing his eyes, his chest
heaving.

     "Michael, you listen to what Brian has to say." She said it
softly, yet firmly.

     Mike groaned again. "Fine. Tell me what you need to tell me then
go the hell away."

     Brian said, "Well, Beth called Doggett about an hour ago. We're
locking in on her location and I will be flying with Sam, Jo Jo and
Doggett once we find her exact location. You and Kathy will be
traveling back to Chicago with Dana on the bus."

     Mike sputtered, "But I'm sick!  What about me?"

     "I'm sure they'll try to take care of you best they can while you
travel to Chicago. I wouldn't worry about it."  Brian said, smiling at
him. "I know you're sick. Be glad I didn't decide to shove you onto a
plane, okay?"
	
     Mike glared at him. "Gee, thanks.  I'm so thrilled. A bumpy bus
ride is just so much fun. Remind me to dance next time in glee."

     Kathy laughed. "Michael, be nice.  We could have this entire mess
over very soon." She waddled slowly over to where Mike lay, rubbing a
hand through his sweaty hair. "I'm very excited and happy for Sam and
Jo Jo.  They could get their little girl back home very soon. I know
you're sick, but at least try to be happy, okay?"

     Mike stuck his lower lip out, pouting. "Fine. But don't expect me
to get up and do a happy dance."

     "I would never expect that from you. In fact, I'd worry if you
did something like that." Kathy laughed.

     Brian shook his head. "Well, I'm going to make some calls and
then we'll see what happens next. I suggest someone starts packing
just in case you gotta pack up and take off for Chicago. What ever the
outcome, we'll probably be all meeting there, at Sam's studio, when
this is done."

     Mike said, "Okay. Sounds like a game plan to me. Ugh, the kids
get to go with us, too, I'm sure. Great. Just fucking great. I'm sick
and I get to make a bus trip with two babies and two ten year old
boys. Just kill me now."

     Kathy shook her head. "It won't be that bad. You're the one who's
the big baby, you know."

     Brian laughed inwardly, knowing that if anyone else had said
something like that, Mike would have likely dragged himself out of the
bed to hit them. He shook his head. "I'll leave you two be for now.
Just be ready to go."

     Mike sighed. "We will, we will.  And tell Sam that I'm happy Beth
could be coming home safe soon."

     "Will do. And Mike, you're just as charming as ever."

     "Ha, ha. Very funny. Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the
way out."



Breeze still carries the sound Maybe I'll disappear Tracks will fade
in the snow You won't find me here

Ice is starting to form Ending what had begun I am locked in my head
With what I've done I know you tried to rescue me Didn't let anyone
get in Left with a trace of all that was And all that could have been
(Nine Inch Nails, Trent Reznor, And All That Could Have Been, Still,
2002)

     Mulder heard a shout followed by a loud pounding at the door. He
knew they had been found and there was no escaping it this time. He
looked over at Beth, realizing what he had done.  Here was this
innocent child that he had taken away from her family and in the end
it had gotten him no where.

     He felt a trace of what he had been and what he could have been
if he hadn't chosen this tainted path of his. He grabbed Beth's arm,
pulling her around. "This isn't over yet. I'm not giving you up with a
fight, not just yet."

     Beth could tell by his voice that he was about to give up. She
only feared that if he gave up would he take her with him to where
ever he was going to next. She stood still, staring up at him. She
whispered, "Please, please just let me go."

     Mulder's eyes filled with anger that flashed and faded away. He
released her arm. "Not yet. Not yet.  This isn't over until I say it's
over."

     Another bang at the door caused Mulder to jump. He felt rage over
take him and he charged Beth, slamming her against the wall. He
sneered at her.  "Besides, I never got what I wanted from you."

     Beth gulped audibly, choosing not to speak. She closed her eyes,
waiting for his mood swing to subside. When she heard some more
shouting and pounding on the other side, she screamed, letting who
ever was out there know that at least for the moment she was still
alive.

     Mulder tossed her roughly down onto the floor. His chest heaved
and he panted. He paced, thinking of what he should do next. Here he
had his chance to kill her and drive that final stake of revenge into
Sam's heart.

     Beth looked up into his eyes, the madness swirling wildly. She
whispered, "Please, don't hurt me." She looked back down, just incase
Mulder should decide to kick her.

     Mulder looked down at Beth, noticing the mussed dark hair, her
blonde roots showing. The little girl trembled helplessly on the
floor, her fear evident enough he could smell it.  In all that he
could have been, Mulder realized that letting her go was the only
solution. There was no need to hurt or kill her now. Even if he did,
he'd lose in the end and he finally realized he had lost the war all
along.  There hadn't been a war except his own.

     He turned away, sputtering, "Leave. Leave before I change my
mind."



     Brian charged out of his room, heading straight for Sam and Jo
Jo's room. He knocked on the door, "Merry Christmas you two. Beth's
been pinpointed and they're rescuing her as we speak. Let's get a move
onto that plane."

     Jo Jo's jaw dropped, then she burst into mixed tears of joy and
anxiety. "Our baby girl could be coming home? Tonight? Now?"

     Sam hugged Jo Jo, squeezing her tight. He said, "About fucking
time this happened." He let her go, standing up. "We got a plane to
catch!"

     Brian smiled. "Let me tell the rest that it's time to get on the
bus and we'll go from there." He turned to exit, looking over his
shoulder.  "Don't celebrate just yet. She isn't in safe hands just
yet."

     Sam nodded. "We know." He took Jo Jo's hand into his, picking up
his suitcase with the other. "We'll meet you in the lobby."

     Jo Jo picked up her own suitcase, following Sam out of the room.
She was shaking from the nervousness that this caused. "Sam, this is
the best Christmas gift we could ask for!"

     Sam nodded. "I know. Now, let's get down stairs and get ready to
get on an airplane. Just as long as it gets us there I don't fucking
care."

     Brian shook his head as he watched the two live in their small
world together. He made his way down the hall, knocking on Mike and
Kathy's door.  Inside, Mike could be heard. "Fuck!  What the hell is
this? Some fucking pit stop for everyone and anyone?  Go away!"

     Kathy's voice could be heard responding, "It's probably Brian,
Michael. You be nice. What will I do with you when the baby arrives?"

     Brian sighed, waiting for the door to open. Once he saw Kathy's
round face appear, he said, "Load up the bus.  You're heading to
Chicago. Word just came in that a Swat team surrounded Mulder. Beth is
being rescued right now."

     Kathy put a hand up to her mouth, hiding a smile. "That's
wonderful news!  Most excellent news! Michael, get up out of that bed
and help me carry our suitcase down to the bus. We're going to
Chicago!"

     Mike groaned. "Gee, that's just fucking great. Let me do a dance
for joy. Ohhhhh, shouldn't have said that!"

     Kathy sighed. "It'll be okay.  Now hurry up! We have to get
going!"

     Brian said, "I'll see you two in Chicago." He hugged Kathy. "You
take good care of yourself and of him. Next time I see you, I hope to
have a party."

     "We all do, Brian. We all do."  Kathy said, smiling softly.



Please Take this And run far away Far away from me I am Tainted The
two of us Were never meant to be All these Pieces And promises and
left behinds If only I could see In my Nothing You meant everything
Everything to me Gone fading everything And all that could have been

Please Take this And run far away Far as you can see I am Tainted And
happiness and peace of mind Were never meant for me All these Pieces
And promises and left behinds If only I could see In my Nothing You
meant everything Everything to me (Nine Inch Nails, Trent Reznor, And
All That Could Have Been, Still, 2002)

     Mulder watched as Beth stood up, looking at him in shock then
compassion.  She whispered, "Thank you." She made her way to the door
slowly, Mulder resisting everything in him to stop her.

     He realized then how tainted he had become, how the two of them
should have never been a thought in his mind.  He wished he hadn't
allowed himself to fall this far. Mulder sunk to his knees, watching
as she opened the door.

     He watched as she exited, hoping they would leave him a few
moments of peace to commit his final act. Mulder stood up slowly,
relief flooding his heart as he realized that she was gone and free
from his tainted soul.

     He made his way slowly to his weapon case, opening it up. Inside
lay a hand gun. Mulder picked it up, unloaded. He placed it slowly to
his temple, pretending to fire the final shot into his brain, then
lowered it again, tears streaming down his face.  And all that he
could have been, this was not what he pictured. Not what he had in
mind at all.



     Mike grumbled under his breath, "Fucking bus. I feel like hell
and I have to climb onto a bus to make a trek to Chicago. Big yippie
for Mikey boy!" He tossed his suitcase into the storage area of the
bus, all of his other equipment already packed.

     Kathy shook her head from where she stood. "Michael, can't you be
happy for Sam and Jo Jo? Things are finally turning around for them."

     Mike looked over at her. "Yeah, I'll be happy for them when I see
them and they have Beth. Until them I'm going to bitch and moan
because I have to climb onto a bus and be jostled around while I have
the flu."

     Kathy sighed. "Okay, okay. Just try to smile just a little,
okay?"

     Mike glared, then made a wide smile at her, his expression full
of sarcasm. "There. I smiled. Happy now?" He groaned, making his way
to the bus doors. "Damn it, this sucks."

     Trent and William ran up the steps past him, almost knocking Mike
down to the ground in surprise. He shouted, "Boys! God damn it! Look
out where you're running. Jesus!"

     Kathy smiled slightly. "At least he didn't use the f-word for a
change."  She watched him board the bus, waiting to take her turn.
She'd let him get into the back of the bus to sleep, hopefully. The
mood he was in, it'd be best for everyone if he slept.

     Scully whispered from behind, "I see Mike's in a great mood." She
smiled at Kathy, once she looked behind her.

     Kathy nodded. "Oh, yes. Mike's in a very peachy mood. Let him
sleep in the back of the bus for awhile. If you don't, he'll only
shout louder and moan more. He's not feeling very well and he doesn't
like that."

     Scully shook her head. "I'm not surprised. Let's get you on the
bus before this cold wind nips you." She steadied Kathy as she took
the steps.  "There you go."

     Kathy looked to the back of the bus, noticing Mike make his way
into the back area. She smiled. At least he'd be alone and he'd
perhaps get some rest. She sat down in her seat, sighing. "I'm almost
tempted to go join him, but he's so moody he'd just yell at me."

     Scully laughed. "Well, I'm sure he's cranky with everyone, but he
seems to calm down around you, in most cases. You should lay down. Go,
go sleep in the back area. Just don't be in the same bunk! He's sick
remember and you're just recovering."

     "He most certainly won't like that idea. Oh well." Kathy stood
up, waddling back to the back door. She opened it, stepping through.

     Mike greeted her, "What the hell now? Can't I sleep?"

     "I'm joining you. You take that bunk and I'll take this one. I'm
not getting the flu again. The baby doesn't need that."

     Mike groaned. "Fine. But just let me sleep. Please!"

     "I will. Sleep well and please, feel better. I hate it when
you're crabby."

     Mike looked mildly guilty. "Okay.  You try to sleep well, too."



     Sam and Jo Jo stood impatiently in the lobby. Sam started pacing,
the energy of the latest news coursing through his veins. He muttered
under his breath a few times, turned around and continued to pace. Jo
Jo watched him from the lobby chair she sat in.

    Doggett joined them, watching Sam.  "Sam, if you don't stop doing
that, you'll wear a hole in the rug."

     Sam stopped, startled. "Huh? Oh, sorry man. I'll stop." He sat
down next to Jo Jo, tapping his leg furiously. He looked over at Jo
Jo, weakly smiled, then back to his brother.

     Doggett sighed. "I really wish you'd sit still." He crossed his
arms, sitting down in a seat next to him.

     Brian arrived, smiling at the group. "Are you ready? We'll have
no problems getting a flight to LA. Let's get into that taxi waiting
for us out there and get to the airport."

     Sam and Jo Jo stood up, following Brian and Doggett out the
doors. Once outside, they loaded their luggage into the trunk. Sam
opened the car door for Jo Jo, then followed her inside.

     Brian said, "Now, when we arrive in LA, I don't want you two
going ballistic on me. Yes, no matter the outcome, she is your
daughter, but if you flip out on me, it won't do any of us any good.
Especially Beth.  Clear?"

     Jo Jo nodded. "Yes."

     Sam remained silent, then replied, "Yes."

     "Good. We're taking a small plane from Regional. No reason for us
to redirect a commercial flight when we're only traveling with a few.
I already set up all of the arrangements. We'll be well on our way to
bringing Beth home."  Brian said, watching how the two reacted.

     Sam said, "So, Mike, Kathy and Dana are taking the kids back to
Chicago?"

     "Yep. They are. They'll do just fine, but we'll have to clean the
bus out if Mike gets sick. He's not really thrilled about this bus
trek, but the alternative flight wouldn't have been much better."

     Jo Jo giggled. "Oh poor Mike.  He'll be a fun traveling companion
for everyone else involved. Oh well.  Poor Kathy."

     Sam laughed too. "Yeah. He'll be peachy. And for once he's not
threatening my life! How cool is that?"

     Jo Jo punched his arm. "Don't be ridiculous, Sam."



I hurt myself today To see if I could still feel I focus on the pain
The only thing that's real The needle tears a hole The old familiar
sting Try to kill it all away But I remember everything What have I
become My sweetest friend Everyone I know Goes away in the end You
could have it all My empire of dirt I will let you down I will make
you hurt (Nine Inch Nails, Trent Reznor, Hurt, Downward Spiral, 1994)

     Mulder thought about what he had become, realizing that the only
thing left for him in reality was pain.  Everyone he had ever known
had gone away and now he was left alone. To live or to die, Mulder
realized this was it, this was the end. He lay the weapon down,
receding into his mind.

     He wanted to kill everything that he had become, realizing how
close he had come to harming and or killing a child. For what? For
revenge? For hatred? Because he felt wronged?  Because Scully was no
longer his and hadn't been in a long time? He felt disgusted with
himself for what he had become, anger flooding him that he could be so
crude.

     He felt that he had let everyone around him down and had caused
them to hurt in some way. Mulder realized his mistake and shook his
head, sadness and regret filling him. At least he had done one thing
right in his pathetic existence as it had become. He had let the
little girl go free, unharmed physically. It was his one redeeming
act.

     Now he was left with all of the hurt. An empty shell of hurt was
all he had become. And he had tried to let down everyone around him in
some way, causing each person to hurt in an effort to make them be
like him.  Empty.



I wear my crown of shit Upon my liar's chair Full of broken thoughts I
cannot repair Beneath the stain of time The feeling disappears You are
someone else I am still right here What have I become My sweetest
friend Everyone I know Goes away in the end You could have it all My
empire of dirt I will let you down I will make you hurt If I could
start again A million miles away I would keep myself I would find away
(Nine Inch Nails, Trent Reznor, Hurt, Downward Spiral, 1994)

     Mulder realized how much he had lied to himself. He was nothing
more than broken thoughts now, unable to repair what had happened to
him and to those he had hurt. He couldn't believe who he had become
and now that he was at the end of the road, he wondered if this path
had been so right as it had once appeared.

     He felt his rage flood him one last time, as he wished to hurt
those who had wrongly harmed him in the past.  As he felt it recede,
Mulder realized how awful he had become once again.  Looking back, if
he had a choice to redo it all, he would have done things much
differently. He wouldn't have taken Beth, he wouldn't have done the
things he had done, instead he would have tried to fix himself.

     Now it was too late. There was no going back. There was no fixing
what had happened. Now there was only one solution. One he knew was
inevitable.  Death was his only option left.  Everything else had
failed.

     Mulder picked up the gun, loading it. Tears streamed down his
face as he prepared his final action. His hands shook violently as he
loaded the weapon. Mulder hoped the swat team outside his door would
allow him to die in peace. He knew what he was doing was the only
solution to the problem. Everything else had failed up until now. This
was the end. It would be all over and it would be all over now.



He couldn't believe how easy it was He put the gun into his face Bang!
(so much blood for such a tiny little hole) Problems do have solutions
A life time of fucking things up fixed in one determined flash
Everything's blue In this world The deepest shade of mushroom blue All
fuzzy Spilling out of my head (Nine Inch Nails, Trent Reznor, Downward
Spiral, 1994)

     Mulder raised the gun to his temple, cocking the gun slowly. He
placed the cold metal against his temple, closing his eyes as he felt
it rest gently against his skin. How easy this was compared to what he
thought it could be.

     He felt his mind drift, contemplating his final actions and his
final thoughts. He was kneeling on the floor, before the bed. Mulder
bit his lip, almost as if he was resisting what he would do next.

     He gently squeezed the trigger, not enough to fire, just enough
to remind him that he was doing this to prevent him from harming
others ever again. He gently squeezed again, trying to decide when he
should pull.

     Just as he decided to pull the trigger, the swat team ran into
the room, watching his body slump forward, blood pool under his head
as it hit the carpet. The bang of the gun caused a few to jump, and
they realized there was no need for force.

     One swat team officer flipped Mulder over onto his back, a soft,
gentle expression on his face.  Mulder finally had found what he had
been looking for all this time.  Peace and tranquility. If only death
wasn't the only way he had to find it.

     Another member of the swat team radioed out to the rest of the
team, "Man down. We need a body bag."

     It was over. Finally, all the hurt, all the pain, all the
insanity was finished. There was no reason for anyone to fear anything
from what he had become any longer. Mulder had solved that problem,
his suicide finishing what he had started.



     Mike woke awhile later, feeling mildly better. He looked over at
Kathy as she slept, soft snores coming from her. She had her arms over
her head as she lay on her back, face turned into one arm. Mike
smiled, glad that she was at least asleep.

     He got up slowly, feeling dizzy but not nauseous for a change. He
yawned, stretching a bit. Mike looked out the window, watching them
pass snow covered grounds and barren lands. He sighed. How depressing
it was to go through in winter.

     Mike heard a sputter behind him as Kathy woke up, muttering
softly to herself. She rolled over, facing the wall going back to
sleep promptly.  He looked over at her, smiling slightly at how she
managed to curl up into a little ball on the bunk.

     Mike sat back down before his dizzy spell caught him off guard.
He put his heads in his hands, yawning. Even though he had a huge nap
already he felt tired all over again. Mike looked at his wrist watch,
noticing that it was about 6 in the morning. They had departed pretty
late at night.

     Mike stumbled up, opening the back door of the bus asking, "Where
are we?"

     "We're in Wisconsin as we speak.  We left at about 10:30 last
night so it's about six in the morning right now. We've been on the
road for about seven hours already. Just entered Wisconsin. We'll take
a pit stop at seven for breakfast and such."

     Mike nodded. "Thanks, Dana. Kat and I slept just fine. We were a
little worn out but I feel a bit better. Maybe my flu bug is passing.
Maybe I can eat food again." He smiled slightly, flashing his dimples.

     Scully shook her head. "Yeah.  No phone calls on my cell from
John.  I can only hope that's some type of good news. I'm sure they
got out there and had to keep Sam and Jo Jo away from the crime scene.
We'll be finding out the outcome very soon."

     Mike sighed. "I hope it's good news for a change. Those two
deserve it. Really, they do."

     "Oh I know they do. It's been an awful past few months and I
think everyone just wants to go home. I know I do. I'm sick of eating
on the road and living in hotel rooms. It's time to go home and stay
there for an awful long while." Scully said, yawning slightly.

     Mike stretched again. "I probably should go back to bed and rest
before we get to our breakfast pit stop.  Besides, Kat might wake and
find me gone."

     Scully shook her head. "You're so sweet, did you know that? You
don't look sweet, but you are."

     "I'm not sweet. Unless you're Kat I'm pretty much a mean son of a
bitch.  Ask Sam!" He cracked another smile, heading back to the bus.
"Wake us when it's time for our pit stop."



     Sam looked down, noticing that Jo Jo was asleep on his shoulder.
He sighed, looking out the window, thinking about what might happen
next. He hoped the outcome would be a happy one.

     He muttered quietly to himself, "It's going to be okay. It's just
gotta be okay."

     Jo Jo yawned, muttering something incoherently. She stretched,
asking, "What Sam? Did you say something?"

     Sam looked at her. "Sorry for waking you like that, Jo Jo. I
didn't mean to. I was just thinking aloud.  Go back to sleep if you
want to."

     "How much longer do you think we have on this flight?" Jo Jo
asked. "I shouldn't have slept anyways. We're on our way to save our
baby girl and here I am sleeping."

     "Hey Bri! How much longer, bro?"  Sam asked.

     "About an hour. These small planes take a bit more time to get
places. Don't worry, we'll get there when we get there.  It'll be
okay." He smiled at the two of them.

     Sam said, "See? You can go back to sleep if you want. Unless, of
course, you want to talk. I'm up to talking if you want to."

     Jo Jo smiled slightly. "I feel like talking. Why not." She looked
down then, feeling mildly nervous. "I'm still scared that something
bad might happen to our baby girl." She hugged Sam. "It's going to be
okay, right?"

     "I don't know, but I'm with you.  It has to be okay." He rocked
her. "So, when we get Beth back, if everything goes alright, what will
we do?"

     "It's almost Christmas. A few days from now. I don't know. We'll
think of something. I can't think of things I'll do with her when we
get her back until we do have her safe and sound." She nuzzled his
neck.  "I know we want to plan big things for Bethie, but it's just
too soon."

     Sam sighed. "Yeah, you're right.  It is a bit too soon to go
planning things like that. Wonder how Mike and Kathy are getting along
on the road trip back to Chicago. I'm sure Mike's a picnic."

     "Yeah, I'm sure they're fine.  Hope Kathy and Mike are at least
getting some sleep while they're on the bus." She lifted her head up,
looking at him. "So, when we get home will we decorate anything?  
It's too late to get a tree or anything."

     Sam laughed. "I don't know. I hate missing Christmas like this,
but hey, if we get our little girl back alive who needs Christmas?
We'll have our gift." He smiled slightly at her.

     Jo Jo smiled back. "True, true.  Now if I could only kill this
pit in my stomach." She sighed, lying her head back down.



     The bus came to a stop, startling Mike awake. "Jesus Christ!" He
put one hand onto the floor as the bus came to a sudden stop, keeping
himself from falling onto the floor. He sat up once the bus seemed to
stop moving, looking around.

     Kathy was giggling in the bunk next to him, lying against the
wall.  She said, "Mike, you okay?" She giggled some more when she saw
his expression.

     Mike glared up at her, his eyes dark and squinted, his jaw
locked.  "Oh, just peachy. I always wake up shoving my hand onto the
floor.  Didn't you know that? I mean, we've been married ten years.
You oughta know shit like that by now."

     Kathy shook her head. "Sorry. I shouldn't laugh. I'm just glad it
wasn't me. I'm just a beach ball with legs. I'd roll right off the
bunk onto the floor." She smiled. "Cheer up, Michael, we're at a
breakfast stop for a bit."

     Mike groaned. "I don't know if I can eat yet."

     "Well, how does your stomach feel?" Kathy asked, sitting up
slowly, stretching slightly.

     "Better than yesterday. Helluva lot better. I dunno, I might eat
something very bland and see if I can keep that down before I move on
to something else." He ran a hand through his tousled hair, yawning.
"I'm going back to sleep when we get on the bus, how about you? And
please, can we share bunks this time? It's lonely over here."

     "Hmm, we'll have to ask Dana on that one, I think." She got up,
kissing him on the cheek. "Oops. Oh well, I think I'm mostly past my
awful flu.  It seems to be a day thing and then goes away."

     "Thank God." He stood up, stretching. "Oh great, my hair is a
mess. Aw, fuck it. Who cares. If they're looking at my hair, that's
their problem." He yawned, scratching himself. "Let's get out front
and get ready to eat."

     Kathy smiled. "Alright." She took his hand into her own, leading
him out of the room slowly.

     Scully said, "Well, shall we go on in to Perkins here? It's not
much but hey, it's food. Mike, how you feeling?"

     "Coffee. Now." Mike said stumbling behind Kathy slightly. "I feel
a bit better. Maybe I can eat food today.  Wouldn't that be a novel
idea, considering the fact I'm addicted to it. It's like. .
.necessary."

     Scully laughed. "You never seem to lose your edge, do you know
that?  Come on, let's get inside and sit.  If you don't feel like
eating something, don't order too much. It'll be fine.  Oh, and I'll
ask for something just incase someone should get sick."

     Mike groaned. "Gee, that's just what I needed to hear at, oh,
7:30 in the morning."

     Scully sighed. "Sorry."

     Kathy jerked slightly on his hand, dragging him towards the door.
"Come on!  Some of us are eating for two here! Let's go!"

     Mike grunted as he felt his feet go out from under him. "Kat! I'm
gonna fall flat on my face!"

     Scully shook her head watching the two of them. Hopefully
everything was okay with Sam and Jo Jo.

     Once everyone was in their seats, Mike and Kathy playfully argued
over who could look at the menu, let alone who could hold it. Mike
pulled on one side while an increasingly irritated Kathy tugged on the
other. "Michael!  Wait your turn! I'm looking first!"

     Mike tugged on it more. "Well, why can't we share? I want to see
what there is to eat."

     Kathy let go of it, sighing.  "Fine, big baby. Look at the menu
first. You do that to me with the newspaper too. Always fighting over
it with me. Can't you wait your turn?"

     Scully and the children sat at a separate table, watching
quietly.  She quietly shook her head, not realizing how they
interacted in private. She quietly helped the boys pick their meals
and picked her own, while Mike and Kathy continued to fight playfully.

     Mike sputtered, "I do too wait my turn. I don't just jump in the
tub with you, do I?" He laughed at her shocked expression.

     "Michael! We're in public here.  Let's just pick our food and be
done with it." She sighed, putting her hands into her face. She said
through her hands, "What will I do with you?  You're so exasperatingly
cute."

     Mike laughed. "Oh, I am, am I?  Here, you can look at the menu.
Maybe we should pick up the local paper so we can fight over it on the
bus, how about that?"

     "No! I hate fighting with you over the paper." She giggled. "Are
we back to your lack of patience?"

     Mike scoffed at her, "Lack of patience? What are you talking
about?  I have tons of patience. I live with you, don't I?"

     Kathy sputtered, "Hey! Are you trying to tell me something here?"

     "I don't know, am I?" Mike was getting more smart assed by the
moment.  He laughed quietly. "I'm just playing with you, Kat. Don't
take it so seriously. Don't be ridiculous. It's just fun to make you
mad sometimes."

     Kathy punched his arm slightly.  "Gee, I'm glad I fell for it.
It's too early to play such games, oh Morbid one."

     Mike's jaw hung down. He cleared his throat. "I'm going to
pretend I didn't hear that."

     Kathy laughed quietly. "If you play, you gotta pay."



     The plane landed, finally arriving in their destination. Sam and
Jo Jo quickly made their way off board, hoping that they could hear
some good news about the situation. Once they got away from the
aircraft, Brian said, "Okay, you two. We're here and that means you're
going to go with your brother.  I will be going to the crime scene and
assessing what is going on. I don't need two anxious parents in my way
while I do this. Understand? There's a taxi waiting for you over
there.  I'll see you later, hopefully with Beth in tow."

     Sam nodded, squinting into the sunrise in LA. He took Jo Jo's
hand, gently giving it a squeeze to reassure himself and hopefully her
and turned his back to follow Doggett to the taxi.

     Jo Jo climbed into the seat next to Sam, firmly taking his hand
into hers. She smiled nervously at him, then out the window to see
Brian climb into a cop car to head for the crime scene. She sighed.
"Well, this is it, Sam. We'll find out shortly just what has happened
to our little girl."

     Sam squeezed her hand gently.  "Yes, we will. I just hope it's
good news and not something else. I won't mention that something else,
either."

     Doggett said, "Well, Sam, things are coming to an end here. No
matter what has happened, I want you to know that I'm here, right with
you. Both of you. So is Dana and so is Mike and Kathy. We're all here
to support you."

     Sam nodded. "I know. I'm just really nervous. This is do or die
time. There isn't any fucking around on this. What happens now is
going to be final, depending upon the out come, you know? I'm just
scared what that outcome might be." He sighed, looking out the window
as LA went by him.

     Jo Jo looked out the window with him. "Well, let's think good
thoughts here. If we let them get us down we might end up with some
extra worries we don't need. It's going to be alright, we have to have
hope." She leaned her head onto his shoulder.

     Sam looked down at her. "Yeah.  I know. I just can't help feeling
a bit nervous about it all. I'm sure we'll be fine. I'm sure Beth will
be fine. Although, I can't say. . .never mind."

     Doggett sighed. "I know what you are thinking, Sam. We all are. I
think once she's back with everyone things will be just fine again.
I'm scared, too."

     When they arrived to the hotel, Doggett helped them get luggage
out of the trunk of the taxi, taking it up for them to the rooms. He
said, "Well, now we just sit tight and find out what has happened.
It'll be a tough one to sit out, but we can do it. Trust me on this
one. We can do this."

     Sam said, "I sure hope so. I really fucking hope so. It's been
way too long."



     Brian arrived to the scene, flashing his badge. He walked in,
finding the chalk line and the blood and brain splatter on the floor,
asking, "What happened here?"

     "The suspect let go of the hostage and committed suicide before
we could apprehend him. We've taken him to the morgue as we speak."

     Brian nodded. "Where is the little girl? Is she unharmed
physically?"

     "Yes, follow me. We have her talking to some psychologists at the
moment sorting through how she feels.  Good thing we got her out of
her before that gun went off." The officer stood up from where he had
been kneeling over the carpet.

     Brian nodded. "So she's alive and in rather good physical
condition.  Good. That's good news. Now let's hope her mental state
isn't too bad." He followed the officer out of the room, down the
stairs to the ambulance they had taken to the scene. He saw a body bag
lying inside the ambulance and asked, "Is that the suspect?"

     A nurse nodded from where she was filling out paper work. "Yes,
yes it is. He's a messy one at that. I'll spare you the details, but
we're lucky the little girl didn't hear. She's right over there." She
pointed towards where Beth sat, shaking slightly in a chair.

     Brian approached her, noticing how she was withdrawn and shy.
This wasn't the Beth he had known a few short months ago. He said
quietly not to startle the now dark haired girl, "Beth, how are you
feeling?"

     Beth looked up, her eyes older and hollow. She looked back down.
"I'm okay. Is that bad man gone?"

     "Yes, yes he is. He's gone. You don't have to worry about him any
longer. He's gone now. Your parents are waiting for you in a hotel
across town and would very much like to see you, if you're ready that
is." Brian said, soothingly. He didn't want to push the little girl
before she was ready.

     Beth looked over at one of the psychologists. "I want to see Mom
and Dad. Are they okay?" She stepped down from the small chair they
had her sat in, taking Brian's hand gently.

     Brian smiled tentatively at the little girl. He was trying to get
used to her darker hair and older, wiser face. He said, "Alright. I'm
sure we can have you talk to some other people about what you went
through later. I'll take you to see your parents, but I'm warning you,
they'll be giving you tons of hugs."

     Beth smiled wanly. "I missed them, you know? How's Trent?"

     Brian said, "He's on his way home to Chicago with Aunt Kathy,
Uncle Mike and Aunt Dana. I left Uncle John with your parents to keep
them from making a scene."

     Beth nodded. "Okay. I'll be seeing him later then. Please, just
take me away from here."



     Sam was pacing in the room when he heard the door open. He
stopped, looking over at Brian and then the small girl behind him. He
gasped, "Beth!"

     Beth smiled wanly at her father, making her way into the room.
She started to cry when she saw his smile of relief. Then she ran to
him, gripping him around the waist, sobbing uncontrollably.

     Sam picked his daughter up, hugging her to himself tightly.  
"I'm so glad to see you alive.  You scared your mother and me nearly
to death, did you know that?  Oh, how we've missed you." He ran a hand
over her hair, allowing her to let her emotions out.

     Jo Jo came out of the bathroom, pulling her hair back. She
stopped when she saw Sam and Beth. "Beth!  Oh, thank God you're
alive!" She rushed over to the two of them, brushing some hair from
the small girl's face.

     Beth choked out, "I never thought I'd see you again. Please,
don't ever let that bad man hurt me again."

     Brian stood in the corner, not wanting to intrude. He said,
"Beth, you won't ever have to worry about Mulder again. He's gone.
He's dead."

     Sam held Beth, asking, "He's dead? For real?"

     "Yes. Suicide. He let Beth here go and then he committed suicide.  
I'll spare the details for the sake of everyone. It's over. It's
really over for good this time." He sighed.  "We'll stay here for the
night and head home tomorrow morning."

     Sam nodded. "Hey, Bri, thanks for everything you've done for us.  
I really can't thank you enough for everything you've done. Seriously.  
I can't." He sat down onto the bed, rocking Beth gently.

     Jo Jo sat down next to Sam and Beth. She whispered, "Beth, it's
alright. We're here now."

     Beth stopped crying, burrowing her face into her father's
shoulders.  She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, almost
afraid to let him go. Beth murmured something incoherently, falling
asleep as her energy was spent after her ordeal.

     Sam laughed softly. "Well, I guess she's tired. Jo Jo, move, I
want to put her to bed. Then I want to know more of what went down
with Mulder since she's asleep. She's had more than enough adult
situations for now."

     Jo Jo moved, and gently pulled the covers back so Sam could ease
her into the bed. Sam gently put her down, pulling the covers up over
her, giving her a kiss on the forehead. "Sleep well, Bethie."

     Brian said, "Okay, I'll tell you what the police at the scene
told me."

     Sam crossed his arms, squinting his eyes. "Okay."

     "Mulder let Beth go shortly after the swat team showed up to
apprehend him. Shortly after, before the team broke into the room,
Mulder picked up his handgun, and to put it bluntly, blew his brains
out. I think he knew all along that he was going to die, but at least
he had the decency at the end to not take Beth with him."  Brian said
quietly. "Beth was out of the building when the gunshot rang out,
which is a good thing. By the looks of her, she's already traumatized
enough by all of this."

     Sam nodded. "I see the fucker dyed her hair dark brown."

     "Yeah. He thought of her as Samantha, yet he probably had sexual
feelings towards her. I know, I know, it's not pretty but we'll have
to ask Beth what happened and if she's willing to tell, she'll let us
know how far he went." Brian said. "Mulder was one of the best agents.
It's such a shame he had to end life this way."

     Jo Jo was smoothing some of Beth's hair. "So now it's all over.  
Finally. We can have Christmas as a family. Sam, we'll have to call
Mike, Kathy and Dana sometime to let them know that Bethie is
alright."

     Sam nodded. "I know, I know. We will." He looked back over at
Beth, sighing. "I just hope that fucker didn't fuck with her mind too
much."



     Mike playfully took his fork, picking a bite off of Kathy's plate
when she looked out the window. He smiled sheepishly at her when she
looked back at him. "It's a good breakfast, don't you think?"

     Kathy said, "What did you just do, Michael?"

     "Nothing? Why do you think I'm always up to something? I'm just
eating here." He smiled, taking another bite of egg from his own plate
this time. He sipped his milk.  "Although, your pancakes look very
inviting."

     "Ohhh, you scoundrel! I know what you did! You took a bite of my
food, didn't you! Give me a bite of yours then, you big meanie!" She
punched his arm. "I'm the one eating for two here."

     Mike laughed. "Okay, but I get to feed it to you."

     Kathy blushed. "Michael!" She looked back over at him, noticing
his smile. "Oh alright, I shouldn't be so shy." She watched him
prepare a bite for her, opening her mouth slightly for the fork.

     Mike fed her gently, feeling like a newly wed almost. "There.
We're even."

     Kathy finished chewing and swallowed. "And no more stealing from
my plate or I'll go sit some where else, you thief."

     Mike stuck his lower lip out.  "Oh fine. I won't then." He
laughed quietly, sipping some coffee. "I'm just glad I feel better
now."

     "I noticed." Kathy said, sarcastically. "I don't know what is
worse. You being cranky and sick or you being better and obnoxious."

     Mike laughed, low in his throat.  He wiped his mouth clean with a
napkin.  "Well, I don't know. Am I being that bad?" He kissed her
softly on the lips. "I promise I'll make it up to you, okay?"

     Kathy rolled her eyes, taking another bite. "Now I know how Jo Jo
feels. Sam is like this every day!"

     Mike laughed again. "Makes you glad I'm not nearly as loud or
outspoken or childish, huh?"

     "Yes!"



     Sam and Jo Jo were sitting in the hotel room, watching Beth
quietly for a bit, as they sat reading quietly to themselves. Beth
whimpered quietly in her sleep, tossing her head from side to side.  
Sam put his book down, making his way to calm Beth. He smoothed her
hair, whispering, "It's alright, Beth."

     Beth opened her eyes, chilling Sam. They were cold and hollow,
yet most of all they were frightened and sad. She looked up at him,
tears filling her eyes. Beth tossed her arms around his neck,
burrowing her face into his shoulder, sobs coming from her.

     Sam picked her up gently. "Shhh.  It's okay. I'm here." He rocked
her as he sat down, rubbing her back.  Sam looked over at Jo Jo, his
eyes connecting with hers. He sighed, rocking his child to soothe her.

     Beth gripped tightly to him, shaking slightly. She burrowed her
face further into his shoulder, unable to do anything but cry quietly.  
Beth felt her father's strong arms hold her gently, his hands rubbing
her back to calm her down. She felt him rock her slowly, as he had
done when she was smaller.

     Sam kissed her temple. He whispered, "Bethie, feel any better?
It's okay.  Did you have a nightmare? I'm here, you can tell me and
your mother anything you want to. We won't be upset with you. We just
want to help."

     Beth lifted her head. "I dreamed that I was back with that bad
man again. He, he was mad at me." She bit her lip quietly, tears
welling up in her eyes again. "He was yelling at me.  And then he hit
me." She burrowed her head back into Sam's shoulder.

     Sam felt rage flood his body as he thought of what his daughter
had been through. He realized that Beth must have been hit and more
than once.  Sam rocked her some more, trying to soothe her from the
memory. He said, "You don't have to ever worry about that bad man
hitting you ever again.  He's never going to hurt you again.  Never."

     Jo Jo sat down next to them, kissing Beth's temple. She sighed.  
"It's alright, sweetie. We'll try to help you out as best we can. I
know you're scared. We were so worried about you."

     Sam looked over at her. He shifted, moving Beth into Jo Jo's
arms. "I gotta get some air." He grabbed a pack of cigarettes from the
bed side table, nervously pocketing them. "I'll be back you guys. I
just need some air."

     Jo Jo nodded. "I understand. We'll be right here." She nodded at
him.  "Just don't take too long, alright?"

     Sam bent down, kissing Beth's temple first, then Jo Jo's lips. "I
promise not to take too long."

     Sam stepped out of the room, shutting the door behind him. He
walked down the hall towards the doorway. Once outside, he lit a
cigarette, staring ahead. Then he muttered, "He fucked her up. He
really did. He hit her. I can't believe it."

     Jo Jo rocked Beth slowly, feeling her start to breathe evenly.
She sat back, growing comfortable herself.  Jo Jo figured that perhaps
sitting with Beth while she slept might be a better thing to do. She
smoothed her daughter's hair, singing softly under her breath to calm
Beth.

     Beth felt limp in her arms as sleep took over again. Jo Jo
continued to hum softly, stroking Beth's hair softly. She lay her head
back, humming.  Jo Jo was thinking about the months they had longed to
have their daughter back.  She looked down, sighing.

     She kissed Beth's temple, lying her head back slowly, feeling
drowsy herself from the travelling and emotional exhaustion from
earlier in the day. She yawned, breaking a bit of her humming. Jo Jo
felt her eye lids grow heavy, so she shut them, quietly drifting into
sleep.

     Jo Jo felt content for the first time in months. Their family was
finally safe and everything was finally over. She held onto Beth in
her sleep, feeling secure that her child was once again with her.

     Neither Jo Jo or Beth heard the door open. Sam looked over at
them, feeling his heart break. His Bethie was never going to be the
same as she had been before and he wondered if he could accept that.
He smiled weakly at the two of them, glad they were both resting.

     Sam sat down onto the bed, gently.  He wrapped his arms around
the two of them, sighing softly. He finally had his family back and
now they could finally go home and start to mend things. He kissed Jo
Jo's temple first, then Beth's.

     Jo Jo woke, looking over at Sam.  "I must have drifted off."

     "It's alright. I didn't mean to wake you. I missed my women, you
know?  It's not the same without the two of you together." Sam said,
smiling a bit stronger. He stroked Beth's dark hair, sighing. "I was
just thinking about what she's been through while I was out there. It
pisses me off, but I want to help her a lot."

     Jo Jo nodded. "Me too. She's not the same. I think she's going to
be affected for life. And I'm sad that it's that way. She didn't
deserve to be abducted and treated this way. Who knows what things
she's witnessed."

     "That's what I think we may have to find out. If she doesn't talk
to us, she might end up getting sick herself." Sam looked down at
Beth, then back up at Jo Jo. "We can't let that happen."

     "What time is it?"

     "It's just turning 8. Shit, I better call Dana and let her know
what's going on. Damn."

     Sam put his cigarette in between his teeth, dialing Scully's cell
phone number. He sat down into the chair, waiting for her to answer.
When he heard her voice, he said, "Dana, just thought I'd call and let
you know what's going on." He realized his voice sounded tired and
strained.

     Scully's voice came through, sounding as if she thought Beth
hadn't made it. "Sam, how are you holding up?"

     Sam said, "We're good. Beth is here with us, but I have to tell
you what else is going on. You might want to be sitting when you hear
this one."

     Scully's voice came through, "Oh?"

     "Yeah. Uh, when Mulder let Beth go, he committed suicide. I don't
really want to get into the details since Beth is here sleeping and
could wake up. I'll let Brian tell you what happened there. I just
thought you might like to know that Mulder's dead and Beth is home
safe." Sam said, quietly. He looked over at Beth as she slept on her
mother.

     Scully remained silent. Then, she cleared her throat. "Thank you,
Sam. I am glad you told me. We're in Wisconsin, heading towards
Chicago right now. Mike and Kathy are in the back resting. I'll let
them know at our next pit stop. You hang in there, okay?"

     Sam sighed softly. "Yeah, well, will you tell Trent his sister is
okay?  Will you do that for me?"

     "Sure, Sam. I can do that. Listen, I better get going. I see
we're pulling to a stop and I'd like to tell the others.  And Sam,
give Beth a hug for me, okay?"  Scully's quiet voice said through the
phone line.

     Sam cleared his throat before replying. "Yeah. I'll give her a
hug for you. Talk to you later? I don't know when we're making our
flight to Chicago yet. I'll call to let you know then or Brian will or
someone. See you later. Bye." He hung up, stretching.

     Jo Jo asked, "Why don't you lay down and take a nap, Sam? It
might do you some good. We've been on the road all day, so I think
it's time to rest."

     Sam nodded. He tossed his cell phone onto the desk table,
climbing into the bed next to Jo Jo. He wrapped his arms around both
of them, lying his head onto her shoulder. A tear escaped his tired
eyes as he thought of how long the road they had travelled had been.
He said, "Let's get some rest.  Who knows when we'll have to get up
and do something again."



     Once the bus had come to a complete stop, Mike and Kathy came out
from the back, hand in hand talking quietly to one another.  Scully
looked over at them, sighing.  She placed her cell phone into her
purse. "You two, sit down for a moment."

     Mike and Kathy stopped talking to each other, looking over at
Scully.  "Is there a reason?"

     "Yes. Sam just called me. I have things to tell you." Scully
said, filled with a strange remorse and relief.

     Mike's expression was perplexed, while Kathy's was curious. They
sat down, looking over at Scully. "Well, what is it? What did Sam say?
Is it bad news?"

     Scully took a breath. "Beth is safe and alive and with her
parents at the moment, but. . ."

     "Hell yeah! Beth is back safely."  Mike said, excited. He smiled
wide.  "Thank God that's all solved."

     Scully cleared her throat. "That's not all. I'm not finished."
She looked at the two of them, then took another breath. "Mulder's
dead. Suicide. He let Beth go, then he took his own life. I just
thought you two would like to know what is going on."

     Mike's smile disappeared, replaced with a frown. He looked a bit
shocked by this statement. "So, it's all over. For good. The man is
dead, huh?"

     "Yeah. Let's get our road snacks and make our last trek into
Chicago, okay?" Scully got up, making her way out the doors. "We'll
leave the boys sleep for now."

     Mike and Kathy got up, following her. "Okay. Sounds like a plan
to me."



     Sam woke lazily awhile later, feeling warm breaths on his cheek.
He opened an eye, noticing Beth had curled up to him, arms around his
neck, face towards his. She was sleeping peacefully and he smiled
slightly. Sam looked over, finding Jo Jo watching TV in the chair.  
He whispered softly, "Jo Jo! Help. I'm trapped and I have to take a
piss."

     "That was eloquent of you. Here, let me take Beth." She got up,
setting the remote down onto the table. Jo Jo detangled Beth's arms
from around Sam's neck, adjusting her to sleep in the middle of the
bed where it was warm.  Beth only murmured slightly before burrowing
down further.

     Sam got up, making his way into the bathroom. He did his
business, washed his hands and came back out, buttoning his pants.
"Well, I feel better." He smiled wide at her, sitting down on top of
her in the chair.

     Jo Jo grunted. "Get off, Sam.  I was here first."

     "I was just being polite and asking you to move!" Sam said.

     Jo Jo pushed on his ass, grunting.  "Get off! We can share the
chair. Come on!"

     Sam stood up, letting Jo Jo stand up. He smiled sheepishly at
her. "I haven't just done something to piss you off in quite a while."

     Jo Jo stuck her tongue out, climbing onto his lap. "Well, you're
just mean to me, did you know that?"  She tossed her arms around his
neck, kissing him.

     Sam and Jo Jo looked over at Beth, sighing. She was curled up in
a little ball where they had left her on the bed, resting peacefully.  
She looked almost gothic to them, her pale skin set off against the
dark hair. Sam shook his head.  "Well, I'd undo that dye job of hers,
but I won't. It'll come out naturally.  She doesn't need to bleach her
hair."

     Jo Jo leaned into his shoulder, nodding. "Yeah. I agree. She just
doesn't look right with that dark hair, though. And, her nightmare
scared me earlier." She felt Sam's arms wrap tightly around her
middle.

     "I know that's gonna be a normal occurrence for awhile here.
She's had it rough. Very rough." He kissed her ear, nuzzling it. "Now
that we have our little girl back, what will we do when we get home?"

     "Well, we'll have to have Christmas with everyone before they
head off to who knows where. That's unless of course Kathy feels up to
going home and waiting for this child to arrive."

     Sam said, "I'd be okay with them staying. At least then we might
be able to provide some help if something bad comes up again. I don't
ever want to see Mike and Kathy the way they were after Angel passed
ever again.  Mike's heart broke that day and I know neither of them
could take another setback like that. And damn it, they deserve to
have children. I know Mike really wants one."

     Jo Jo nodded. "They both do.  Kathy really feels guilty for not
giving him a child so far, I think.  And, I think she figures a boy
would be best. I don't think Mike feels the same way."

     "No. No he doesn't. He wants a girl so bad. Is even willing to
paint a room in his house pink for her if she likes. Oh man, Jo Jo, if
they have a girl Mike is going to be wrapped around her finger from
day one." Sam said, smiling. "I know, I know. Beth had me then, too."

     Jo Jo giggled. "You're just a softie. Come on, let's order
something to eat."



     Mike and Kathy sat talking in the back of the bus while they
waited for the others to reboard. Mike sighed.  "Wow. It's over. Now
what? Kat, we could go home from Sam and Jo Jo's, but it's up to you.
What do you want to do? Stay with them or go home?"

     Kathy looked lost in thought.  "I, hmm, I think we oughta stay
with Sam and Jo Jo until our baby comes. I don't think I want to
experience complications again if I don't have to. If you'd only move
from New Orleans!"

     Mike laughed. "Move? What about your rose garden? You pay that
thing almost more attention than you do me.  Besides, Kat, Sam and I
would be putting our mark on each other's work non stop and the next
thing you'd know we'd kill each other. I don't think you'd like that
very much."

     Kathy giggled softly. "But Michael, Jo Jo is like a sister to me.
Alright, we won't move, but can we visit them more than we have in the
past? I don't want to be stuck spending time with them when we're in a
crisis. Why not be like other people who visit their friends?"

     "We'll have to convince Jo Jo to drag Sam to New Orleans, which
shouldn't be a hard feat. She loves the city. She likes our house too.  
I'll never forget that first day when she saw my purple stair case.
Asked if she could move in and everything." Mike said softly.
"Personally, I wouldn't mind having Sam and Jo Jo visit more often.
Our baby will have someone to play with sometimes then."

     Kathy smiled. "Oh, I know what your mind is thinking. You're so
hoping for a little girl cause you want to marry her off to Richie!
Don't you tell Sam that. He'll be scared to death if Richie turns out
anything like him and if we have a little girl that you'll kill him if
his boy does anything wrong."

     Mike laughed. "You know me too well, don't you? Besides, I
wouldn't go after Sam that much. He'll be the one tanning that boy's
hide if we did let our little girl, assuming we have one, date him and
if that boy did break her heart."

     Kathy laughed. "You know he would.  I wouldn't want to be that
boy when he screws up with a girl, especially if that girl happens to
be ours! Oh dear."

     Mike hugged her. "So, we stay with Sam and Jo Jo until our baby
is born, huh? Sounds like a very good plan to me. I just thought I'd
ask you first. I hate winter but I know we might need some help with
the baby so it'd be best to stay. Besides, Dana is probably on hand
anytime we need her, too. Even if she has to get onto a plane to get
here."

     Kathy smiled. "Yeah. I know you do. You're such a whiner
sometimes.  But it's okay. I like it when you're a baby."



     Later that afternoon, Beth was watching television while sitting
on her father's lap. She felt secure for the first time in ages, but
didn't feel the need to laugh nearly as much or talk like she had
before her abduction. Sam had his arms wrapped around her, holding her
close. He was worried about her lack of laughter.

     He looked down, looking into her face. She looked sorrowful. Sam
smoothed her hair, kissing the top of her head.  "What you thinking
about so hard, Bethie?"

     Beth looked up at her father, before looking back at the screen.  
"Nothing really. Just watching TV."  Even her voice sounded dull and
lifeless to him. This worried him greatly, although he knew they had
just been reunited. It would take some time for her to start to really
recover.

     Sam said, "Did you want some more pop?" He waited for her
response, not wanting to startle her. That's another thing he was
noticing. She was easier to startle and frighten.

     Beth shook her head, never lifting her eyes from the screen.  
She leaned back slowly into his chest, for the first time not hesitant
to touch him or feel secure enough to lean against him. He nuzzled her
hair.  Sam quietly moved his fingers over her belly, trying to see if
he could get her to laugh by tickling her.

     Beth squirmed, then grew frightened. She tensed up, pulling away
from Sam. She curled up into a small ball on the opposite end of the
bed, facing away from Sam.  This concerned him very much. He said
softly so not to startle her further, "What's wrong, Beth? I was just
trying to have a bit of fun. I want to hear you laugh again."

     Beth remained tense, not moving.  It was as if she was trying to
become invisible. Sam felt awful about his mistake, reached out and
gently stroked her hair. "I'm sorry. I should have thought first. I
didn't think it'd upset you like it has."

     Beth seemed to relax a little, then she began to cry. She
remained on her side, facing away from Sam as she felt tears stream
down her face.  She choked out, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't upset you. You
can tickle me if you want to."

     This concerned Sam greatly, not realizing how much Beth had to
give to survive living with Mulder for so long. He gently lifted her
up, hugging her to himself. "No, no Beth. You don't have to do
anything you don't want to.  If you don't like something, you
shouldn't have to put up with it.  It's okay." He rocked her gently,
watching for when Jo Jo would come back from her shower.

     Beth hugged her father tight.  She grew comfortable in his arms,
telling herself that this was her father. Beth whispered. "I missed
you, Daddy."

     Sam felt tears come to his eyes as his daughter told him this. He
said, "I missed you, too."



     When they finally arrived in Chicago, Mike woke with a start. He
yawned, stretching out. He looked over, noticing Kathy still sound
asleep, her back turned to him.

     Mike quietly crept up on her, kissing her neck quietly. He
nuzzled her neck, whispering, "We're in Chicago, Kat. Time to wake up.
At least I think we're in Chicago."

     Kathy groaned softly, turning to look at him. She said, her voice
tired, "Okay. Help me up. When we get inside I have to pee."

     Mike nodded. "Okay. Let me see what's going on first, okay?" He
stood up, poking his head out into the bus area. "Where are we?"

     Scully turned, looking up from her book. "We just arrived at the
studio.  Why don't you help Kathy get into the place and we'll unload
the bus. I'm sure there are places for each of us to room in while we
wait for Sam and Jo Jo to arrive."

     Mike nodded. "Okay. I'll help her. Any more word from Sam or
Brian or anyone?"

     "No. Not yet. I think they're trying to finish up paperwork and
see how much damage Mulder did to that child.  Other than that, I
don't know anything about what is going on with them." She looked back
down at her book, placing a bookmark inside.

     Mike backed up back into the bunk area. He helped Kathy up
slowly, her joints stiff from sleeping on the bunk for a majority of
the day. She leaned onto him, sighing. "I'm puffed up like some
ballon, Michael."

     Mike laughed softly. "It's okay.  Let's get inside and I'm sure
we can set up a room for us to stay in. I know I'm NOT staying in Sam
and Jo Jo's room. Yuck. Besides, Sam might kill me for that one."

     Kathy laughed softly. "Maybe. I agree. No way do we stay there.
Come on, help me get inside. I must pee and pee now."

     Scully unlocked the door with the key that had been provided by
the law enforcement who had restored the lock Mulder had jimmed. She
let the two of them in, heading back to the bus to help unload.

     Mike held Kathy's hand, then let her go off towards the bathroom.
From there, he headed straight to the L-shaped couch, kicking his
shoes off and lying back, eyes closed, taking a deep breath of
relaxation.

     He felt some hands on his chest, startling him. Kathy was
supporting herself by placing her hands on him to prevent herself from
falling. He croaked out, "Holy shit, don't do that.  You scared the
living daylights outta me."

     Kathy sat down, grunting as she felt air woosh out of her. She
said breathlessly, "Yeah well, it's better than me falling on top of
you. That would have been a disaster."

     Mike shook his head. "I'm sure it would have been."



     Jo Jo came out of the bathroom, toweling her hair dry. She smiled
to herself when she saw Sam sprawled out on the bed, Beth curled up
onto his chest. Both were fast asleep, their even breaths almost in
time with one another. She tiptoed to the chair, quietly combing her
hair.  She didn't want to disturb the scene before her.

     Beth stretched, murmuring in her sleep. She yawned wide, lying
her head back down onto her father's chest. She was on her stomach,
arms curled underneath her small form.  Jo Jo felt a tear slide down
her cheek, realizing how much she had missed such scenes before Beth's
disappearance. Even with the dark hair, it was as if time had gone
back in time for just a few moments.

     Sam let out a soft snore, wrinkling his nose in his sleep. He
hugged Beth to himself, lying a hand onto the middle of her back. He
yawned then, quietly going back to being fast asleep, Jo Jo shook her
head, realizing Beth would most likely wake up if he should continue
to snore. She slid the comb through her hair a few more times before
setting it back down onto the table.

     Jo Jo looked over at the television, noticing it was still on.
She jumped up when she realized the commercial on the screen,
muttering under her breath, "Damn annoying commercial." She turned the
channel, flipping through to see what there was to watch. She sighed,
trying to remain as silent as possible to not wake Sam and Beth.

     She wasn't paying attention, but she heard Sam clear his throat
and she jumped, gasping, "Sam! I thought you were asleep."

     Sam smiled lazily at her. "I was.  But I woke up. I see I got
someone who thinks I'm a pillow here." He looked down at Beth,
cracking a smile. "So, how was your bath?"

     Jo Jo smiled. "It was good. How was your nap?"

     "Well, Beth is still taking hers, but it felt good. Especially
having this little one here with me. I dunno, Jo Jo. She's not the
same little girl we had. She's. . .shyer and skittery."  He sighed,
rubbing Beth's hair.

     Jo Jo nodded. "I noticed. She's awful quiet and an awful lot like
Kathy was when we first met her. I think Mulder's done some pretty bad
stuff that may have changed her personality, but we'll have to help
her." She stood up, curling her feet up underneath her as she sat back
down in the chair.

     Sam nodded. "I just wish it wasn't that way. I miss how she
speaks her mind, just like you do.  Maybe when things start to settle
down, she'll get some of that back.  I hope so."



     Mike and Kathy were sitting on the sofa watching television when
the phone rang. Mike looked over, then looked down. Kathy was curled
up on his chest, fast asleep. He sighed, deciding to let the machine
pick up.

     "You've reached Sam and Jo Jo Doggett. Leave a message at the
sound of the beep." Sam's voice sounded hollow and mechanic as the
answering machine talked. Then, he head Sam's voice come through, loud
and clear.  "Who the fuck taped THAT message?  Mike, I know your
there, pick up."

     Mike laughed, picking the phone up, after he gently nudged Kathy
awake.  "Hey man, what's up?"

     "Well, I thought I'd call to let you know that we're on our way
home tonight. We've done all the necessary shit we're supposed to do
out here and now we're going to make our way to the airport in a
couple of hours."

     Mike said, "Alright. Cool. Kat and I picked our guest room and so
did Dana so we're just waiting for you guys to get here. Oh and dude,
they changed the locks so your key won't mean shit when you get here.  
Dana has the new key."

     "Oh, okay dude. Sounds good to me. And Mike, don't go fucking
with my recording equipment. I don't want to have to kick your pasty,
white ass for messing around with it." He laughed then.

     Mike snorted. "Like I'd play with the piece of shit equipment you
use anyways. Nah, I'd only go in there to see if your cats were
around. I haven't seen them since we arrived."

     "They're hiding. They're wondering why you people are there and
where we are. Let Trent find them. He's good at that. Look, dude, I
gotta get going.  Jo Jo's glaring at me to get my ass in gear."

     Mike laughed. "Sounds like Jo Jo.  We'll see you later tonight or
early tomorrow then. Have a safe flight." He heard the phone go dead
and hung it up, looking over at Kathy.

     Kathy said, "Well, they're on their way then, huh? I'm sure
things will start to normalize then." She sighed. "And I had been so
comfy before Sam called. It's not fair."

     Mike shook his head, lifting his arms up for her to cuddle to his
chest.  He smiled slightly, picking up the TV remote. "I'm turning the
channel. This show sucks."



     Sam gently picked Beth up when they landed in Chicago. He set her
down gently, taking her hand into his firmly, leading her amongst the
mass of people as they attempted to exit the terminal. Jo Jo followed
on his other side, her hand gripping his.

     Beth was silent as they walked, her eyes downcast as she avoided
making eye contact with anyone. She felt safe with her father holding
her hand, though, yet felt some anxiety. And, deep down underneath all
of it, she felt something she hadn't in a long time. Relief. She was
finally going home.

     Sam looked down when they got the security checks. He kneeled
down.  "Beth, they're going to do what they did when we boarded the
plane now.  They're just going to have you walk through the metal
detector and let you go. It'll be alright."

     Beth nodded, looking at her father, then her mother. She walked
towards the detector, hesitating for only a moment.  Jo Jo's
encouraged her, "Go on, Beth.  It's okay."

     Beth stepped through, safely on the other side. She watched her
father pass through next, uneventful as she had been. Finally her
mother passed through. Beth said, "Are Uncle John and Uncle Brian on
their way?"

     "Yeah, they had to make some luggage arrangements. Don't worry
about it, kiddo. We're going to wait in the lobby for a bit for them
before we get to go home. We're almost there, sweetie. Just a bit
more." Jo Jo said, taking her daughter's hand into hers.

     Sam stood staring off into space, before he said, "Well, we'll
finally get to sleep in our own beds again.  No hotels, no ice
buckets, no small showers, no lame breakfasts. We'll be at home with a
big screen TV and loud stereo and kitty cats."

     Beth giggled at his last comment.  "You missed the kitties,
didn't you, Daddy?" It was the first time she had laughed in months.

     Sam felt his heart flutter. He had forgotten what she sounded
like when she laughed. He said, "Yeah, yeah I did. I hope someone took
care of them while we were away at least."

     Jo Jo shook her head. "I'm sure they did. Besides, they're good
at taking good care of themselves."

     Beth looked down, then back up, trying to get some resolve to
ask.  "Daddy, can we get a puppy?"

     "Hmm, a puppy you say. Where did that come from?" Sam asked.

     "I dunno. I've always wanted a puppy." She smiled slightly,
shyly.  "I write it on my wish list every year and I haven't gotten
one yet."

     Sam felt as if Beth was relaxing and perhaps finally arriving
back home was causing her to relax so. He said, "Well. . .I don't
know. We'll have to see. Oh hell, we can get you a puppy.  Any kind of
puppy you want. Only problem is, your brother is going to get mad."



     Mike looked from the living room, where he sat playing a video
game, noticing the door was opening. Inside walked Sam carrying Beth
and Jo Jo behind them. He tossed the game controller down, smiling
wide as they came into the room.

     Sam placed Beth down gently, looking over at Mike. "Hey man. We
made it. Long flight, but we're here. My bro and Brian are unloading.
How's Trent?"

     "He went to take a nap in his room, last I heard. Kat's in the
guest room we picked doing that as well." Mike said, standing up. He
smiled wide at them. "Now, let me see this little girl here."

     Beth shyly stepped forward, looking down at the floor. Mike
frowned slightly, then took her hand. "Why don't you come sit down
over here. It's been a long time for you."

     Sam followed him, and they all sat down onto the couch, Beth in
the middle of Mike and Sam. He said, "Well, I'm sure you noticed the
hair dye job she's got going on now."

     Beth quietly looked up at them, then at the paused video game.
She leaned her head onto Sam, yawning.  She felt exhaustion next, as
the relief grew, allowing her to ease up on her anxiety. She closed
her eyes then.

     Mike laughed. "I see she's picked you as a pillow. So, Jo Jo,
Sam, how you doing other wise?"

     Sam said, "Well, it's been a hard day, but I think we can finally
get things moving along. I dunno about you, but I'm starved as hell.
Here, Beth, lay on Mike's shoulder. I'm gonna put some food on to
cook."

     Beth quietly moved, lying her head onto Mike's shoulder, closing
her eyes again. She yawned, stretching out slightly next to him.

     Mike watched the little girl, feeling anger deep inside of
himself that she had to go through what she had. He gently slid an arm
around her shoulder, hoping she wouldn't mind that. Mike watched her,
wondering how long before she was more like her former self.

     Sam sat back down. "I put the oven on to preheat. Some frozen
pizza. I know, I know, it's not much better than hotel shit, but it's
food." He bent down, unlacing his combat boots. Once he was done, he
stretched.

     Jo Jo got up, slowly making her way into the kitchen. Sam watched
her, shaking his head. He leaned over towards Mike, "Her arthritis got
to her on that plane ride. She's been whining the entire trip home.
I'm sure she'll be home once we get a good night's sleep in our own
bed, but lord knows how strange it will feel after months being gone."

     Mike laughed softly. "Well, I'm sorta stuck, unless you want to
take her."

     "Here. Let me take her up to her room and put her to bed. She's
slept a lot today, but that's to be expected.  She's all tuckered out
and I can't blame her." Sam gently lifted her up, carrying her up the
stairs. He said, "Tell Jo Jo I went to put her to bed."

     Jo Jo waddled back out into the living room, promptly sitting
down onto the sofa. She groaned. "I hate plane rides and I hate being
stuck in tiny spaces for so long that my ankles start to throb." She
closed her eyes, lying her head back.

     Mike laughed. "I noticed." He sighed.  "Well, it's good that Beth
is finally home.  How she's doing?"

     "She's tired and. . .different.  That's not the little girl we
lost months ago. She's someone else now and I guess I'll have to get
used to her." Jo Jo sat up, looking over at Mike. "Don't take this the
wrong way, but when I first saw how she reacted to us, all I could
think of was Kathy all those years ago."

     Mike pursed his lips, nodding.  "Okay. I'm not mad. She sorta
does have Kathy's demeanor now that you mention it. I hope she doesn't
stay that way, though. As much as I love Kathy and admire her even
though she's shy, Beth is only a little girl and Kathy is a grown
woman. I don't want her to be like Kat. I want her to be like Beth."

     Jo Jo smiled. "I'm glad you didn't get upset. I must admit I'm
still getting over actually having her back, yet I can't feel some
strangeness that even though we have her back, I'm still searching for
that little girl we lost months ago.  I want her to be Beth as we knew
her.  I guess I'll have to accept that she's not that way anymore, at
least not for a very long time, if not altered forever."  She sat up,
groaning again. "My back hurts like hell and my legs are throbbing.  
Damn it, I need that ibprofun to kick in."

     Mike laughed. "Sam should be on his way down stairs. I should go
wake Kat up since we're having some pizza. She should eat something at
least. I'll be right back."

     Jo Jo nodded, yawning. She sighed, noticing Mike's paused video
game. She shook her head, deciding to leave it alone just in case he
wanted to continue playing it.

     A loud commotion could be heard upstairs as she heard Trent's
voice loudly. She smiled, realizing he had just found out that his
sister was home. She heard Sam shout, "Arthur A, will you lower your
voice for one nano second? Your sister is sleeping, or was until you
woke the living dead with your yelling."

     Jo Jo rolled her eyes. "When will he learn that if he yells after
Trent yells that it only makes matters worse, not better?" She got up
slowly, making her way towards the stairs, climbing them slowly. She
said, just loud enough for him to hear, "Sam, yelling at Trent for
yelling isn't going to get you anywhere."

     Sam rolled his eyes from the doorway to Beth's room. "So?"

     "So? My point is that if you want him to be quiet and not disrupt
Beth's sleep, you can't go yelling yourself because that'll be likely
to wake Beth if she wasn't already awake, goof." Jo Jo said, shaking
her head at him.

     Sam smiled sheepishly. "True, but I couldn't help it. Hey, want
to make your way back downstairs and see if the oven is ready?"

     Jo Jo groaned. "Me? My legs hurt!"

     "You got yourself upstairs, you can get yourself back down. I
promise to make it up to you later, okay?" He winked at her playfully,
before entering into Beth's bedroom.

     Jo Jo shook her head. "Not in front of the children. I'll see you
downstairs.  Oh, and Sam, if I break my neck on these stairs, it's on
your head."

     Mike stepped into the guest room, noticing Kathy still lying on
the bed.  He asked, "Kat, are you really asleep or just pretending
with all that shouting going on?"

     Kathy didn't move, but replied, "Gee, what do you think? I'm fast
asleep."  She groaned. "I'm hungry. And, once again I have to pee."
She slowly started to sit up. "What is going on out there anyways?"

     Mike smiled slightly, sitting down on the bed next to her. "I'd
assume Trent just found out that his sister was home, got excited and
yelled, which in turn caused Sam to yell. Now Jo Jo's telling them
both to be quiet. I don't know. I'm just glad I don't live here all
the time.  They're a loud, strange family."

     "Well, we'll be finding out what kind of family we make very
soon. What ever I'm carrying, we'll have to see how we interact with
him or her. And, if you'll excuse me, I have to get to the bathroom
right away. Are we having something to eat downstairs?" Kathy asked,
slowly standing up. She steadied herself on Mike's shoulder.

     "Yeah. Sam put in one of those frozen pizzas to cook. It should
be done soon. I won't stand in the way of nature's call. Go. I'll meet
you down stairs, okay?" He stood up once she was balanced. Mike leaned
in, kissing her cheek.

     "Sure. I'll see you downstairs."  She started to walk out of the
room slowly. "Michael, can you find my slippers in the suitcase before
you go downstairs? I have to get out of these shoes immediately. My
feet swelled again."

     Mike nodded. "Okay. Which suitcase?"

     "Mine, I think. Although with how much we pack and unpack now, I
don't know anymore." Kathy smiled slightly over her shoulder at him.  
"You're so sweet to look for me."  She disappeared down the hall
before he could respond.

     Mike shook his head from the suitcase he had opened. He dug
through for a few moments, looking for Kathy's blue slippers. Once he
found them, he picked them up, closing the suitcase.  He then made his
way down the hall to the bathroom, knocking.

     Kathy said, "Michael, just put them in the doorway, okay? I'll be
right out and I'll put them on. My feet hurt and I'm glad I got my
shoes off. See you downstairs in just a bit, okay?"

     Mike mumbled his reply, making his way down the stairs. He sighed
once he sat down.

     Jo Jo asked him, "You going to finish that game or do you want to
take a picture of it?"

     Mike laughed. "Sorry. I'll turn it off."



     Doggett carried the final suitcase into the guest room he and
Scully would be sharing. He opened the door, stepping into the room.
Staring out the window was Scully, alone. Her arms were crossed and
her form was still. Doggett cleared his throat to let her know he was
there, then softly asked, "Why aren't you downstairs with everyone
else? Sam said he put a pizza on and it should be ready soon."

     Scully turned around, brushing a tear from her eye. "I, uh, I was
thinking of how I'm going to tell William that his father is dead. I
think he knows from what was said earlier, but I don't know if he'll
understand. I really don't know how to take it myself. I'm still in
shock."  She turned back around, her expression reflected in the
glass.

     Doggett set the suitcase down gently onto the bed before making
his way to Scully. He put a hand on her shoulder. "I know. It wasn't
supposed to end this way. I know we all hoped that some how Mulduh
wouldn't have to die. I'm sorry it happened. Before all of this, he
was a good agent and a good man. Things just didn't go well in the end
for him."

     Scully turned, looking at him.  Her eyes pooled full of tears.
She bit her lip. "But we sent him to get help. Why didn't he let them
help him?  Why? He could have been helped and this entire mess could
have been avoided.  John, what will I tell my little boy?"

     Doggett hugged her. "I know he was supposed to be gettin' help.
But, I don't think anyone could help him.  Not anymore. I'm so sorry,
Dana. You just tell William that his father isn't in pain anymore.
He's not suffering and you tell him all about the man Mulduh had been
before all of this."

     Scully sobbed softly into his shoulder. "This is worse than when
they took him away from me. I can't believe Mulder finally did it. He
finally killed himself."

     "I know, I know. It was shocking to us when we got there and
found out.  Apparently he knew they had him cornered and he let Beth
go. I'm grateful for that. Even when he was the least humane person at
that point, he had enough humanity left to let the little girl go." He
rubbed Scully's hair, holding her securely. "And Dana, don't think of
him as the man he had become, think of him as he had been all those
years ago before this happened."

     Scully pulled back. "I know. It's who he was that is more
important now."  She sighed. "I just wish there could have been more
done for him. He didn't deserve to go down the way he did. I know that
even though he was twisted and demented at the end, he didn't mean to
be and I can only wonder about what he went through as he grew madder.  
It frightens me."

     Doggett looked down into her face. "I know. It is frightening to
think what can drive some people to do such terrible acts." He looked
out the window. "Do you want me to bring up some pizza for you or do
you want to just relax for a bit?"

     Scully shook her head. "No. I'm not hungry. I think I'll take a
shower and then I'll talk to William."



     Kathy was making her way slowly down the stairs when she felt her
footing give. She gasped, grabbing the railing for support. "Michael!  
Help!" She twisted herself, trying to sit down to prevent herself from
tumbling down the stairs head first.  Kathy felt strong arms wrap
around her torso, gently standing her up.

     "Kat, you okay?" Mike's voice was alarmed. He steadied her,
taking her hand into his own. "Here, let me help you get down the
stairs."

     Kathy sighed. "I'm sorry. My slipper slipped on this stair and
the next thing I knew I was falling.  I tried my best to sit down so I
wouldn't fall. I didn't mean to scare you." She followed his lead,
taking one step at a time.

     Mike looked up, his hands holding hers as he walked backwards
down the stairs, guiding her. "It's okay. I'm glad you let me help you
so you wouldn't get hurt. Here, when we get down stairs I'll ask for a
tub to soak your feet in, alright? I'm guessing they're not exactly as
tiny as usual."

     Kathy smiled, finally reaching the landing. She said, "No. Not by
any means."

     Jo Jo asked, "Anything I can do?  Looks like you need to sit
down. I'll get Sam to take care of getting what ever you want since
he's already in the kitchen."

     Mike nodded. "A tub of warm water would be nice. Her feet are
just swollen." He gently sat her down on the sofa. "Kat, take those
slippers off."

     Kathy slid them off, her feet exposed. They were swollen and
slightly purplish in color. "I hate when they turn this ugly purple
color.  They were trapped in those awful tennis shoes for so long that
now they're just hideous."

     Jo Jo called from the kitchen, "What would you like to drink,
Kathy?"

     "Water would be nice, although that will make me pee." She
sighed.  "I can't win. I really can't. I'm as big as a house, my feet
are just useless and I have to go to the bathroom so many times I
should just move in." Kathy sighed, leaning her head against Mike's
shoulder as he slid into the seat next to her.

     Mike laughed. "Yes, it does seem that way sometimes." He hugged
her.  "But you know in the end it'll be worth it. All of it."

     Kathy giggled. "Oh shut up, Michael. I don't see you carrying the
baby here."

     Jo Jo set the tub of hot water down in front of Kathy. She said,
"There. I hope this helps you feel better some what. I know how awful
it is to have my feet swell."

     Sam came out. "Mike, help me with the pizza here."

     Mike sighed. "Alright. Just a minute here." He untangled himself
from Kathy, making his way into the kitchen.

     Kathy shook her head. She slowly lowered her feet into the water,
groaning slightly. "That feels much better." She closed her eyes. "Now
I'm just hungry and thirsty and slightly tired."

     Jo Jo laughed. She sat down on the other side of Kathy, knowing
Mike would take his spot back. "Well, I know how it is. And it is just
no fun what so ever. At least you got Mike and he's willing to wait on
you.  Sam did for a while when I carried Richie, but after awhile he
started telling me I had two legs and should learn to use them."

     Kathy laughed. She took a plate from Mike's hand. "Thanks."

     Mike said, "Sam should have your water out here soon. He's in
there grumbling that he's not a waiter and shouldn't be treated like
one."

     Jo Jo said, "That's it. I'm going to get him." She sat forward,
shouting towards the kitchen, "Jo Jo needs attention in A Lounge."

     Sam shouted back, "Shut the fuck up. You're not in A Lounge and
I'm not a bus boy. You'll get your mother fucking pizza as soon as I
get it on this stupid plate."



     Scully found William waiting for her when she came back from her
shower.  She smiled wanly at him, then sat down next to him. "How are
you feeling, Will?"
 
     William asked, "That bad man who had Beth, he's dead now, right?"
He looked away from his mother. "You said he was my real father. How
come I'm not sad that he's dead?"

     Scully was almost taken aback, then replied as cooly as possible,
"Because you never thought of this man as your father. And, you never
really knew him or met him. You think of John as your father. For the
most part he is that and more. I, on the other hand, I'm not sure what
to feel."

     William looked over at his mother.  "I don't know. I guess I'm
just happy that Bethie came back, but Mom, she doesn't act like the
Bethie I knew.  She's different. She's quiet."

     Scully sighed. "To me, I guess I'm going to remember him as he
was before this and be relieved it's over for him and for Beth. I
guess that all we can do. And you're right.  Beth is very quiet. She's
not the same little girl that was taken."

     He looked down at the floor, then back down. "Do you think
something will happen to Beth now that she is so different? I know
that Trent may be upset if she's not the Bethie he remembers. I
noticed that she was a lot more quiet."

     Scully nodded. She hugged William close to herself. "I know you
don't really feel much for your biological father, but I guess I'll
have to tell you more about the man he was before all of this
happened, when he was a good man. And you know, William, you're very
much like your biological father before he became sick. Except you're
different, too. You were raised by John and he taught you some things
I don't think Mulder would have."

     William felt confused. "How am I like him, Mom?"

     "You're witty sometimes and you're brave and sometimes, much like
your father, you just do stupid things because you think you have to.  
Then there is the whole disobeying as many rules as possible. Your
father was excellent at that. It's a good thing John taught you to
have a bit more common sense than your father had sometimes, though."
Scully said, smiling at him slightly. "Sure, Mulder had some common
sense, but other times. . ."

     William looked down. "Oh. Mom, I'm hungry. Did you want to talk
about anything else? I want to see how Trent is before I go to bed.
I'm sorta tired, too." He yawned.

     "Okay. Sam made some pizza downstairs you might want to have.  
And you're right, you should go to bed very soon." She hugged him one
more time, watching him leave the room. Scully sighed, realizing that
she had already mourned Mulder the way he had been a long time ago,
now that Mulder was physically dead, she felt guilt for feeling
relief.  She whispered, "Rest in peace, Mulder.  Finally, maybe you
found what you were looking for."



     Sam sat on the sofa next to Jo Jo, eating his pizza as they sat
and talked.  He looked over at Jo Jo, who glared at him. "What? I'm
just eating my pizza here, minding my own business. Do you want
something?"

     Sam smiled slightly at her, lifted a pepperoni off of his pizza
and moved it towards her. He was about to feed it to her when he heard
a scream. Sam dropped the pepperoni, forgetting all about what had
intended to do, nearly dropping his plate to the floor as he stood up.
He juggled it, set it down quickly onto the table and sprinted out of
the room, everyone else not far behind.

     Another scream was heard and Sam ran into Beth's room, breathing
heavily.  On the bed lie Beth, tossing and turning as she whimpered
and screamed. Sam rushed to her side, lifting her out of the bed
gently. He shook her awake, soothingly speaking to her. "Beth, shhh,
it's okay."

     Jo Jo joined him on the other side, smoothing hair. She
whispered, "Let me." She gently eased Beth into her arms, rocking the
small girl slightly, humming a soft tune. She knew Sam was scared and
nervous. She smoothed Beth's hair, humming. Beth shook slightly in Jo
Jo's arms, her tiny, little girl arms wrapped around her mother
tightly.

     Sam got up, pacing. He ran a hand on his neck, glancing
momentarily at Jo Jo and Beth. He looked, noticing Mike in the
doorway, Kathy poking her head not far behind. He said, "Nightmare. A
very bad nightmare."  Sam lowered his hands, finding that they were
shaking. "One that scared me just a little." He let a nervous laugh
out, trying to calm his nerves down.

     Jo Jo looked down, noticing Beth had begun to relax again. She
continued to rock her and hum. Rather than try and wake her to talk
about it, Jo Jo figured that allowing her to fall back into sleep
would be better. She held Beth close to herself, feeling Beth grow
limp in her arms. She ceased humming, whispering, "I think she'll
sleep okay now. She was just having an awful nightmare and I think
this will be something we'll be dealing with for awhile."

     Sam stopped moving, looking over at her as Beth lay sleeping. He
thought about how fragile she looked. Sam sat gently down next to Jo
Jo. "That's the worst nightmare I think Beth has ever had. Jesus, she
scared me."

     Jo Jo nodded. "I know she did.  She scared me, too, but I don't
think we should wake her up to ask her. I think we can wait until
tomorrow. Right now, what Beth needs most, is sleep. She is just too
worn out from everything."

     Sam stood up. He took a cigarette out of his pocket. "I'm going
back downstairs. I need to just sit down and not think for awhile." He
took a lighter out as he exited the room.  This had rattled his nerves
and now he just wanted to calm down before something did happen.

     Sam sat down in the living room, quietly smoking his cigarette.
He held it nervously, still shaken up by what had happened with Beth.
He inhaled deeply, trying to calm himself down.  Sam muttered, "I
wonder what she dreamt.  That fucker really messed up my little girl."

     He closed his eyes, taking a longer drag on his cigarette. Sam
jumped when he heard Jo Jo's voice.  "Sam, are you going to be
alright?  Beth is sleeping again and seems to be resting easy now."

     Sam opened his eyes, putting his cigarette out. "I was just
thinking about what that asshole did to our baby girl, that's all.
From the sounds of that dream, she was very scared. It really scared
me when she screamed like that. I've never heard Beth do that before.
Not like that. That scream, that was pure terror and it scared me
nearly to death."

     Jo Jo sat down next to him. She nodded. "It scared me, too. I
don't know what to think about it, but I know that Beth needs to rest
more than anything else. I have a funny feeling this isn't the last
dream we'll be seeing like this for quite awhile."

     Sam nodded. He sighed. "I just don't know what to think. She's so
fragile.  When I first saw her, I was shocked at how timid she was. I
hope that she can soon fix that. I really do. What ever happened to
her for those months really messed her mind up and now she's so
different."

     Jo Jo leaned her head onto his shoulder. She wrapped an arm
around him, hugging him to herself. "I know it's hard. But she's alive
and she's still our little girl. It's up to us to help her as much as
we can now.  She needs us to help her out so she can be like the Beth
we knew before she was taken."

     Sam put his arm around hers, holding it to his chest. He sighed.  
"I know. It won't be overnight, but I did not expect her to have such
an awful nightmare like she did. That was the worst thing I've ever
had to see since she was taken." He leaned his head, resting it on to
hers.

     Jo Jo moved her arms, wrapping both around his middle. She
yawned.  "I'm tired and I think it is time we all go to bed. It's been
such a long day." She buried her face into his shoulder. "What do you
say? Let's actually go to bed. Our OWN bed for the first time in
months."

     Sam smiled slightly. "Yeah, our own bed. It'll be nice for a
change.  He stood up, helping Jo Jo stand up.  "Let's go. I think the
others can find their ways to bed." He held her hand, leading her
towards the bedroom.  "Besides, I'm sure we'll have to reaquaint
ourselves with our own bed again."

     Jo Jo raised an eyebrow. "Oh dear. You're naughty."

     Sam shut the door after Jo Jo stepped through. He smiled slightly
at her, his expression laid back and lazy. He strutted towards her,
his lazy grin never leaving his face. He watched her reaction. Finally
they were back in their own bedroom, at home with everyone in their
family back.

     Jo Jo watched him, smiling back at him. "Sam, you and I are both
way too tired for any of that. I must admit, that sexy grin of yours
works, though." She closed the gap between them, tossing her arms
haphazardly around his neck, kissing him.

     Sam ran his hands over her back, reaching her ass where he cupped
it, kissing her back. He whispered in her ear, "Are you sure you're
too tired?"

     Jo Jo looked up at him, noticing his expression was hopeful. She
yawned.  "We barely slept last night. Don't be silly. We can't
possibly have enough energy for that. I know I don't!" She saw him
make his eyes wide. "Oh don't do that. No puppy eyes. I can't handle
the puppy eyes."

     Sam laughed. "Okay, okay. I'm tired, too. But maybe sometime
later?"  He pulled back from her, taking his shirt off. "I'm going to
put my nice, warm nighties on. The ones I didn't pack with me." He
watched her over his shoulder.

     Jo Jo giggled. "Sam, I know what you're up to. You're trying to
convince me that I should be in the mood. It's not gonna work, buddy."
She opened her dresser drawer, taking out a flannel nightgown. She
sighed. "I hate winter.  I can't wear a t-shirt of yours to bed."

     Sam laughed. "But you can wear me, huh?" He smirked at her.
"Sorry.  I'll be quiet. Don't glare at me anymore!"

     Jo Jo sputtered, laughing as she pulled her shirt and bra over
her head, then pulled down the night gown over.  She stepped out of
her pants and underpants, slowly walking towards the masterbath to
brush her teeth.  "Finally, my very own bathroom. No strange water, no
strange lighting, my bathroom."

     Sam snuck up on her as she was putting toothpaste on her brush.
He wrapped his arms around her middle, kissing her neck. "And, a
shower big enough to fit two people at the same time! Not to mention a
hot tub."

     Jo Jo snorted. "You just don't quit! Brush your teeth and keep
your hands to yourself. I don't know what to do with you sometimes!"

     Sam raised an eyebrow. "Oh? I think you do. He dodged her fist as
she hit him in the shoulder. "Okay, okay! I'll brush my teeth and be a
good boy."

     Jo Jo giggled. She brushed her teeth, watching him in the mirror.  
"No funny business, mister. I'm watching you!"

     "Oh are you?" He prepared his own toothbrush, crowding her at the
sink on purpose. "Didn't see that coming, huh?"

     "SAM! Don't!"



     Mike and Kathy stepped into the guest room. Mike cracked his
back, yawning wide. He looked over at Kathy before sighing. "Well,
that was excitement for one night. I'm dead tired."

     Kathy smiled at him quietly. She hugged him, yawning. "Me too.
We've been up and just have not taken the time to sleep. You sat down
and started playing that video game and from there you spaced
everything and everyone off."

     Mike smiled sheepishly. "I'm sorry, Kat. You know I'm addicted to
those things." He bent down, kissing her. "Shit, am I tired. Let's get
ready for bed and then we can go to sleep and rest finally knowing
everyone is home safe and sound."

     Kathy giggled softly against his chest. "Yes. For once. It'll be
nice to sleep in something that isn't moving tonight." She let go of
him, slowly walking towards the door.

     Mike watched her, sighing. He followed her out of the room,
watching her lumber along, shaking his head. He placed a hand onto her
back, helping her along. Mike whispered in her ear, "Well, you looked
like you needed some help."

     Kathy smiled up at him. "Why thank you, Michael. I know that my
ankles hurt even though I took my shoes off." She made it into the
bathroom, preparing to brush her teeth. She looked over at Mike.  
"Mike, are our toothbrushes still in our overnight bags?"

     Mike sighed. "Yeah. I'll go get them. I'll be right back." He
walked down the hall, back into the guest room. He picked up their
overnight bags, opening one. He dug around inside it, finding both
tooth brushes.
 
     When Mike got back, he handed her toothbrush to her. He yawned,
scratching himself. He looked over, noticing Kathy glare at him.
"What?"

     "Don't do that, Michael. That's disgusting. Don't scratch
yourself and then brush your teeth!" She shook her head, preparing her
tooth brush.  "It's disgusting!"

     Mike sighed. "Sorry. I had an itch. It's not my fault!" He took
the toothpaste tube from her, preparing his own brush. He waited for
her to back up and brush before brushing his own teeth. He said around
his toothbrush in his mouth, "Well, what was I supposed to do, ignore
it?"

     Kathy rolled her eyes, brushing her teeth instead of responding.
She spit, watching him. "It's just gross."

     Mike sighed. He spit, putting his brush back into his mouth. He
chewed a few times, thinking of a come back.  "Well, if I ignored it
and itched it when we got to the room you'd say the same thing
anyways. But it itched!"

     Kathy laughed. "Okay, okay. It itched. You couldn't ignore it. It
doesn't make it any less disgusting, though. Oh well, lately the way
my body is, I'm so bloated and everything I can't imagine wanting to
look at me.  I must look like a bloated balloon."

     Mike set his brush down. "Don't be ridiculous. You look just
fine.  Trust me on this one." He kissed her.  "There. And we're both
minty. Come on, let's go to bed."



     Sam leaned over, kissing Jo Jo as he pulled the blankets over
himself. He whispered, "Good night, Jo Jo. Sleep well."

     Jo Jo kissed back, lying down.  She sighed. "My own bed. It's so
nice to be back in my very own bed again."

     Just as Sam was about to get comfortable, a small face peeked in
the doorway, followed by a quiet voice, "Mom, Dad? Can I talk to you?"  
It was Trent. He seemed a bit wary about entering. "Is it okay?"

     Sam said, "Come on in, Trent.  It's alright." He tossed the
blankets back, his feet going over the side.  "Something the matter?"

     "Is Bethie okay? What happened?"  Trent asked, still a bit shy.

     Jo Jo sat up. "Oh Trent. She had a bad nightmare. She'll be
having those for awhile now.  Bethie is okay, but she's still got to
get over a lot of what happened to her. It'll be okay.  She just had a
very bad nightmare."

     Trent walked up to the bed. "But she's okay, right? She's not
hurt?"  He was upset by what had happened with his sister. Trent was
very shaken up by this nightmare his sister had had.

     Sam stood up, going over to hug his son. "It scared me, too.
She's just got a lot to deal with right now. It'll be alright. It was
only a nightmare she had. She's sleeping peacefully now. You should go
to bed yourself and get some sleep. It's been a long time since we
were at home."

     Trent nodded. He hugged his father back. "But she will be okay,
right?"

     "We'll make sure she is, okay?  You just go to bed and we'll see
you in the morning, alright? I know it's tough, but it's just the way
it is right now. She's back home with us and that's what counts." He
ruffled his son's hair. "Good night, Trent.  Sleep well and don't
worry about coming down to wake us if you need something, okay?"

     Trent nodded. "Good night Mom and Dad." He made his way out of
the room, leaving his parents be for now.

     Sam sighed. "Well, that was expected. Poor kids just don't know
what to think about all of this."  He sat down onto the bed, preparing
to go to sleep. "Let's hope they both can sleep through the night."

     Jo Jo yawned. "I hope so."

     Sam kissed her. "Well, now we can go to sleep. Let's hope it's
restful. Good night, Jo Jo." He lay down, curling up to her, tossing
an arm around her middle and a leg around hers.

     Jo Jo sighed. "Good night, Sam.  And remember, no funny
business."

     Sam snorted. "I'm going to sleep.  I'm not going to get into
trouble. . . not right now anyways."



     The next morning, Sam woke up a bit earlier than usual. He
shivered, tossed some sweats on and a sweat shirt before making his
way out into the kitchen where he heard the chatter of Jo Jo and
Kathy. He stumbled into the kitchen, yawning. "So, what are we up to
this morning, ladies?"

     Jo Jo snorted at him. "I was wondering when you'd wake up. I sent
Soda Pop to wake you. I think he wandered off some place else." She
sighed. "Kathy and I were just talking about what we'd like to do
until the baby arrives. She really doesn't want to travel anymore,
even if it means going home, and I think at this far along she oughta
stay in one place."

     Sam nodded, scratching his back.  "Yeah. That's cool with me if
you two stay around. It'd be so strange not having you two around
after awhile."  He yawned. "I think I'm going to have some coffee and
go play with some equipment now that I'm home." Sam poured a cup for
himself, stirring some sugar into it. He sipped. "I'll leave you two
ladies to talk. Have fun."

     He made his way into the studio portion of the house, making his
way towards the sound board. He sipped some hot coffee, feeling it
wake him up little by little. He sat down in his chair, spinning
around like a child. That's when he spotted his megaphone sitting in
the corner.

     Sam smiled devilishly. He drank some more coffee, and set it down
on the table next to the soundboard. He stood up, making his way to
the megaphone, picking it up. He'd go wake up Mike with it just for
kicks. Since Kathy was already awake he didn't have to worry about
waking her with it. He laughed to himself, muttering under his breath,
"This is going to rule."

     Sam climbed the steps, arriving at the guest door. He cracked it
open, finding Mike lying asleep on his stomach, one arm tucked
underneath him and the other above his head. He snored. Sam snuck into
the room slowly, getting ready to use his weapon. He put it up to his
lips, screaming into the megaphone, "RISE AND SHINE!"

     Mike bolted up right, eyes wide open. "Fuck! What the hell? You
mother fucker! I'm going to kill you!" He jumped off the bed, charging
towards Sam, his expression full of rage.  "What the hell is the
matter with you?"

     Sam dodged him, laughing. "Man, that was funny. Dude, I've never
seen you jump so high in my entire life.  That was fucking funny."

     Mike glared at him. "Glad someone enjoyed it. Give me that." He
swiped the megaphone from him, putting it to his own lips. "Sam is
going to go back downstairs and let me go to sleep!" He lowered it.
"Fuck it. I'm awake."

     Sam laughed. "I got two of them, you know. Jo Jo kept hiding them
after awhile that I have back up. We could have a megaphone war if you
like. I'm bored."

     Mike laughed. "Figures Jo Jo would have enough common sense to
take that thing away. Why not. I'm bored, too. Now that I'm awake.
Man, do I need coffee."

     Sam smiled. "Don't worry, we got coffee downstairs. The women
made some before I got up. Come on, let's go downstairs."

     Mike lifted the megaphone. "OKAY."

     Sam laughed, following him out of the room.



     Jo Jo rolled her eyes from the kitchen table. "Damn it. He had to
go straight for that megaphone. That asshole probably had to go and
wake up Mike with it just because he felt like being mean."

     Kathy laughed. "Uh oh, I think I heard Mike use it. Does he have
more than one?"

     Jo Jo laughed. "Are you kidding?  No sooner than I dispose of
one, he's got another one to use. I know he uses it for some songs,
but really, after awhile he makes it into some toy and yells at
everyone with it."

     Kathy groaned. "If he has more than one, Michael will get the
other one. And then we'll see some megaphone war and it'll be awful.
I'm staying in the kitchen."

     Jo Jo laughed again. "Yeah. But that doesn't mean they'll keep it
contained. I'm surprised I haven't heard someone else yell back at him
for using it. If he doesn't knock it off, he'll wake up Beth and scare
her."  She sighed. "I suppose I better go take the damn thing away or
tell them to go play in the studio area."

     Kathy shook her head. "It's like having two grown boys. Good
luck."

     Jo Jo slowly made her way towards the stairs. She was about to
walk up it, looking down when suddenly a shout from Sam came. "YOU'RE
IN THE WAY. MOVE!"  Jo Jo jumped back, almost landing on her bottom.

     Mike laughed loudly, before regaining his composure. "Man, that
was mean."

     Sam turned, shouting at him, "OH REALLY?"

     Jo Jo held out her hand. "Give that thing to me, now. Or at least
have enough common sense to go and play in the studio area. You could
seriously wake Beth up with that and she may get upset. Don't be
silly."

     Sam looked ashamed. He lowered the megaphone. "Okay. We'll go
play in the studio. Mike just needs to get some cofee first."

     Mike could be heard talking quietly with Kathy. He took a cup of
coffee from her, smiling slightly, only part of his lips turned
upwards. Mike rejoined Sam and Jo Jo. "Uh, we'll be good boys and go
into the studio. Besides, I want to see what piece of shit equipment
Sam has."

     Sam lifted the megaphone, but lowered it upon Jo Jo's glare. He
said, "It is not piece of shit equipment, asshole."

     Mike sipped his coffee. "Don't be such a turd. I'm not being
literal.  It was just a joke. You're the one who got me out of bed."

     Jo Jo muttered softly to herself, "This will be an interesting
day." She said more louder to the two of them, "Go play in the studio
and play nicely, okay? I don't want either of you fighting."

     Sam made a face at her, sticking his tongue out. "Yes mother."



     Beth woke slowly, opening her eyes. She yawned, sitting up to
look around at her surroundings. Sunlight streamed in from a window
and Beth glanced around, realizing that she was in her own bedroom, by
herself and at home. Beth quietly burst into tears of relief,
realizing that she wasn't with a mad man anymore. She clutched the
bedding, making sure what she saw was real.

     She tossed the blankets back, shivering as a cold draft blew over
her. Beth let her feet dangle before placing them onto the carpet. She
padded quietly out of the room, searching for anyone else in the
house. When she approached the stair landing, she could hear her
mother and father talking. Or rather, her mother chiding and her
father shouting playfully with what sounded like a megaphone. Beth
shook her head, smiling only slightly.

     She made it downstairs just in time to see her father and uncle
Mike go into the studio area of the house.  She jumped when she heard
her mother ask, "How are you this morning, Beth?  I bet your brother
is still asleep.  Help yourself. I'm going to go check up on Richie
and Trent."

     Beth looked at the floor, responding, "Okay." She brushed past
her mother, going towards the kitchen. There, she found her aunt Kathy
sipping on some tea quietly. Beth sat down a few seats down from her,
staring blankly at the table.

     She heard her aunt ask, "Beth, anything you'd like? I'll
understand if you don't." Kathy's voice sounded
 as if she identified with how she was feeling. She looked up,
noticing that her aunt's face was sympathetic and understanding of how
she felt.

     Beth asked, "Was it like this for you when you first met
everyone? I mean, this shyness?"

     Kathy laughed low in her throat.  "Oh yes. I was very shy. In
fact, I didn't really speak to your mother or father very much for a
very long while.  I, well, I stayed talking to Mike at first. He's,
well, he's different.  Anyways, yes, I felt very shy and very much on
the outside. Do you feel that way?"

     Beth nodded, feeling tears come to her eyes. "Yes. I, I don't
know why I do. I mean, it's my mom and my dad and I don't feel
comfortable really talking to them very much. Is that bad?"

     Kathy smiled slightly. "No. It just means you're still in a
defense mode. Part of the reason I'm shy and don't say much is because
I'm watching people more so I don't goof up. You watched Mulder an
awful lot, I'm sure so you're carrying that over to your family. It's
alright."

     Beth hugged Kathy. She wept quietly. "Thank you, Aunt Kathy. I
thought maybe something was wrong with me." She pulled away, looking
into her aunt's grey eyes.

     Kathy smiled down at her. "There isn't anything wrong with you.
In fact, I'm sure you'll grow out of some of the behaviors you've
picked up. I wouldn't worry too much. Now, would you like some cereal
or anything?"



     Early Christmas morning, a loud clatter could be heard through
out the studio. Trent and William had woken early to open their gifts
from Santa and in their excitement had clattered their way down the
stairs, disturbing everyone else within the house.

     Trent sat down onto the floor, pulling the large box towards
himself, reading the sloppily written "To Trent, From Santa" tag. He
quickly ripped the paper off, excited to see what was inside. He was
about to look when he heard his father clear his throat. He looked up,
noticing that his father's arms were crossed.

     Sam said, "Trent, now why did you two have to come crashing down
the stairs like two monkees. Your mother literally had to poke me in
the side since it woke her up. I know you're excited, but we aren't
quite ready to wake up."

     Trent looked down. "I'm sorry.  I was just excited. When do we
open the family gifts?"

     "You know we don't do that until after supper. But, your mother
and I are going to try and go back to sleep and let's hope Uncle Mike
and Aunt Kathy slept through it. Be a little more quiet, okay?" He
smiled. "Oh, and try to have fun. I know that it's fun to get new
toys."

     Trent glanced over at his cousin, smiling a little to let him
know that his dad wasn't mad at them really. He said, "Okay, Dad. Beth
is still sleeping.  I left her be so don't worry."

     "Okay. I'm sure she'll come downstairs when she feels good and
ready. Have fun." Sam turned around, shuffling back to his bedroom. He
scratched himself, turning. "Oh, and could you be nice enough to feed
the cats while you're up?"

     "Uh huh." Trent said, distracted by his new toy. He barely heard
what his father asked. He was more fascinated by the new game console
Santa had brought him than the request his father had made. He
whispered excitedly to William, "Look! This is so cool!"

     William nodded. "Is he really mad at us?"

     "No. He just wants us to be quiet. Mom crabbed at him because she
hates it when loud noises come out of no where while she's asleep.
It's all cool. I can't wait till after supper tonight. I got Beth this
really cool thing I hope she'll like." He stood up, padding towards
the stairs, "It's in my room. Come on!"

     William followed his cousin back up the stairs, waiting to open
his own gift. He sighed quietly. "Do you think she'll like it?"

     Trent shrugged. "I hope so, but I dunno." He took it out, showing
it to William. "It's pictures from the trip we had while she was gone.
Things like the places we saw and just random moments I thought were
important. I asked Dad if I could make a photo album for her so she
could at least see what we did while she wasn't here. It's got
pictures of you and me and Mom and Dad and Uncle Mike and Aunt Kathy
and Uncle John and Aunt Dana. Aunt Kathy gave me this photo." Trent
pointed out the photo Kathy had taken while him and Mike had napped.

     William laughed. "I wonder what Uncle Mike will say if he sees
that."

     "He'll roll his eyes, I'm sure."  Trent shut the book. "I wrote
out what the stuff is, but Mom typed it up since she says she's I've
got a terrible mixture of her bad handwriting and Dad's handwriting."
Trent said, setting it down back into it's hiding place.  "Let's go
back downstairs and play with our new toys and have something to eat.
I'm hungry."

     William nodded. He smiled slightly.  "I wonder why Mom and Dad
arent awake yet."

     "Maybe they had to meet Santa."

     "Maybe."



     Mike woke early on Christmas morning, jolting as he heard
stomping down the hall. He grunted, burying his head futher into the
pillow.  Someone was excited for Christmas morning and all he wanted
to do was sleep.

     Arms snaked around his middle a few moments later, followed by a
soft breath on his face. He opened his eyes to find Kathy cuddled up
to him, sound asleep. He smiled slightly, closing his own eyes again
to fall back to sleep.  Before he knew it, he felt fingers caressing
his face. Mike groaned.  "Why is it so hard to sleep in anymore?"

     Kathy laughed softly. Her soft, alto voice said, "I don't know.
Maybe I want to actually spend some time in bed with my ever cheerful
husband."

     Mike sat up, looking around.  "Wait. . .are you cheating on me?  
Cheerful husband? Where? Who? When?"  He smiled at her playfully. He
leaned in, kissing her softly. "Now, fess up, where is Mr. Cheerful?"

     Kathy shook her head. "Silly man.  You're Mr. Cheerful. Okay, so
you're really not cheerful." She kissed him.  "Unless you want me to
cheat on you with a Mister Cheerful."

     Mike laughed low in his throat, kissing her ear. He whispered in
it, "You're so sexy when you play games."  Mike kissed her ear then
her cheek.  He whispered again, "I'd make love to you, but the kids
are up and about and looking for Santa toys and the baby. . ."

     Kathy laughed. "I see my waking method worked. Too bad we can't
act on it." She sighed, lying back. "It would have been fun." She
rolled over onto her side, facing him. Kathy pulled the blankets up
around her pregnant form. "At least we had fun making the baby, huh?"

     Mike laughed low in his throat before kissing her neck. "You
better believe it." He ran a hand down her body, then jumped when he
felt the baby kick. His green eyes went wide and he put his hands back
onto her belly. "The baby kicked! I guess the baby's trying to let us
know that they're here and we shouldn't do anything naughty." He
laughed, rubbing his hands onto her belly some more.

     Kathy laughed. "Oh my god that tickles. The baby keeps kicking
and it tickles." She closed her eyes, letting out a laugh. "Michael,
don't encourage the baby. It may kick me until I get bruised."

     Mike placed his head softly onto her belly, feeling the slight
movement against his cheek. He looked into her grey eyes, smiling.
"It's amazing. I can't believe it." He sat up, kissing her. "That's
our baby. So far so good.  At the rate the baby's kicking who knows. .
."

     Kathy laughed. "I know what will happen. My bathroom visits,
already outrageously high, will increase to rediculous levels. It's
kicking me in the bladder." She disentangled herself from Mike. "Which
means I have to go pee right now." She got up, putting her feet into
her blue slippers.

     Mike smiled slightly. "Okay. Tell Mister Cheerful I want to beat
the shit out of him, okay? That's if you're sneaking off to see him,
that is."

     "Oh sit on it, Michael. You're just being a smart ass. Oh, and
Merry Christmas to you, too."



     Sam made his way back into the bed, noticing that Jo Jo was
facing away from him. She was lying on her side, facing out, asleep.
Sam pulled the covers up around himself, then slid up to her back,
nuzzling her neck.

     Jo Jo groaned. "Not now, Sam. I'm trying to sleep here. Can't you
find a more convenient time for that thing to be ready?" She buried
her head more into her pillow, pulling the blanket up to her neck.

     Sam laughed low in his throat.  "I wasn't even aroused until you
said that. Gee, thanks." He kissed her neck.  "I was just cuddling up.
Damn it." He wrapped an arm around her, pulling her towards him.

     Jo Jo turned her head slightly, one eye open. "And now you think
you'll be able to get some, huh? Forget it. I'm tired and the kids are
up and opening gifts and lord knows what else."  She put her head back
down, closing her eyes. "Great. Now I'm awake and can't go back to
sleep. It's 6 fucking AM and I'm awake. Damn it."

     Sam laughed, pulling the blankets up around the two of them. He
smoothed some of her hair from his face. "I'm sorry. I was just trying
to cuddle so we could sleep. I didn't mean to wake and upset you."

     Jo Jo rolled over, facing him.  She smiled slightly. "If I wasn't
so tired or if the kids weren't up and about, I might give in, but no.
Instead, I'm going to curl up to your chest and try to go to sleep."
She yawned, snuggling into his chest.

     Sam wrapped his arms tightly around her. "I know I kept you up
late last night.  I'm sorry."

     Jo Jo snorted. "Sam, don't be silly. I stay up late regularly.
You know, that. I'm just tired because it's 6 AM and I don't like
being awake then."  She snaked a leg around one of his, cuddling up.

     Sam smiled. "Okay. If you say so."  He kissed her temple. "I'll
be quiet so you can sleep."

     Jo Jo sighed. "Why am I bothering?  I'm awake. Only thing I'm
really getting out of this right now is warmth." She put her head onto
his shoulder.

     Sam laughed. "Well, what do you want to do? Lie here and pretend
to sleep or get up and make something to eat?"

     Jo Jo remained silent. "Alright, we'll get up and make breakfast.
But, Sam, I'm not waking Mike and Kathy for breakfast. Mike would kill
someone for waking him up."

     "Don't I know it. Look, I'll take a look at what we have for
breakfast food and we'll at least make breakfast for the boys. They're
awake. I think it'd be best to leave Beth sleep, too."

     "I agree." She detangled herself from him, tugging on his hand.
She smiled, her disheveled hair tangled around her face. She wore a
long, dark, purple nightgown that reached her ankles.  Jo Jo's foot
caught the hem of it, and she nearly tripped, falling head long into
Sam.

     Sam grunted, looking up to see Jo Jo's face above his. "And you
said you were tired."



     Jo Jo glanced over from the bowl she was beating eggs in,
noticing Sam had the gallon of milk to his lips as he drank. She
cleared her throat. "Sam, don't drink from the carton. It's just
disgusting."

     Sam set the gallon jug down, wiping his mouth with the back of
his hand. "Why not? I bought it, didn't I?"

     Jo Jo rolled her eyes. "You know why. It's not just your milk.
It's everybody's milk. Are you going to make the bacon or should I?
It's been awhile since we got up early enough for breakfast, hasn't
it?"

     Sam laughed, putting the milk gallon back into the fridge. He
took out the bacon package, tossing it to the table. "Well, hmm, being
that you're already making the batter for french toast, why don't I
make the bacon. I'll try not to make it black."

     Jo Jo smiled. "I know you won't, but it'll come out that way."
She finished beating the eggs, poured some vanilla into it and beat a
bit more. She saw Sam watch her. "What?"

     "Vanilla? Why did you pour that in there?" Sam asked, a bit
dubious of her choice.

     "It's good! Trust me! You're like this every time I put vanilla
into the french toast batter." Jo Jo said, blowing a strand of stray
hair from her face.  "Why is it such an issue? You know it tastes
good."

     Sam sighed. "Alright, alright.  I'll leave it alone." He cut the
bacon package open, placed a frying pan onto the stove and turned the
heat on. He took out a slice of bacon, putting it into the pan to
cook.

     Jo Jo picked up the bread loaf, watching him from the corner of
her eye. He was standing at the stove in his torn sleeved, black,
night shirt and baggy grey sweats. She shook her head. He wasn't even
trying to be appealing in any way, yet he was doing just that.

     Sam turned, looking at her from the stove. "What? I can cook
bacon.  You don't have to watch me every fucking second, you know." He
scratched his back. "That's unless of course you're liking what you
see." Sam playfully shook his ass at her.

     Jo Jo giggled. "Even in those awful sweats you manage to look
cute."  She got up, making her way to the fridge. She took the milk
carton out, taking the cap off. Jo Jo sipped from it. "Oh the hell
with it. We can drink from the carton. It's easier than me getting a
damn glass out so I can spill it."

     Sam laughed loudly. "Jo Jo, you are always so funny. That's why I
love you. Put that gallon of milk down before you spill it." He
finished cooking the first piece of bacon, lying a layer of bacon into
the pan.

     Jo Jo put it back, snorting. "I only spill glasses, not gallons."

     Sam shook his head. "Uh huh. I believe that. Just make the damn
french toast and quit arguing." He smiled at her. "Besides, if I don't
pay attention to my bacon it will turn black."

     Jo Jo rolled her eyes. "Sam, you're an ass at 6 AM, you know
that?"

     "Always." Sam winked.



     Sam set a plate of bacon down in the middle of the kitchen table.  
He picked a piece up, biting into it, causing a loud crunch. He
smiled, remarking, "Good bacon. I actually cooked it well this time."
It tasted just the way it should to him, a bit juicy and crisp all at
once.

     Jo Jo was dipping french toast slices when she heard Mike's voice
remark, "What, we don't get any food around here?"

     Jo Jo sighed. "We didn't expect you to be awake. In fact, Sam and
I decided it'd be best if we let you sleep." She placed the slice of
dipped bread into the frying pan, hearing a slight sizzle as bread
connected to pan.

     Mike sat down next to Sam, snatching a piece of bacon from the
pile. He crunched it loudly.  "Damn good pig. Which one of you cooked
this?"

     "Me!" Sam said proudly. "I did.  I cooked it and it didn't come
out black."

     Kathy sat down next to Mike, easing herself into the chair
slowly.  She sighed. "Michael, can you get me a glass of milk? I'm
thirsty."

     Mike got up, taking another bite from his bacon strip. He took
out the gallon of milk putting it on the counter while he took out a
glass.  Mike turned, looking over at Kathy.  "Plain or should I add
any chocolate sauce or what have you?"

     "Plain. I don't feel like chocolate this morning." She reached,
stretching far to get to the plate of bacon. She snorted when she
realized she wasn't quite able to get to it. "I hate being pregnant.
I'm just so big and I can't reach anything!"

     Sam pushed the plate within her reach. "There."

     Jo Jo asked, "Kathy, how many slices do you want?"

     "Hmm. Three. Are we having eggs with it?" She asked, picking up a
piece of bacon. Kathy bit into it.

     Jo Jo put her hands on her hips.  "Sam? Are you going to make
eggs? I can't make french toast AND eggs. I can only do so much."

     Sam sighed. He finished his bacon strip, opening the fridge after
Mike closed it. He took the carton of eggs out. "You'll have to tell
me how you want your eggs."

     Mike said, "Scrambled. Hey, dude, where is your brother?
Shouldn't he be awake and down here by now?"

     Sam shook his head. "I dunno. The herd of elephants didn't wake
him obviously. Kathy, how do you want your eggs?"

     "Over hard, please." She munched quietly on her bacon strip.

     Jo Jo asked, "Mike, why don't you make yourself useful? Make some
toast and put some jam on it. That's if you don't mind. . ."

     Mike sighed. "Alright, alright."



     After supper that evening, Sam sat with Beth in his lap. She was
lying her head against his chest, observing the others open their
gifts.  Before she had been abducted, Beth was enthusiastic about
opening gifts.  Now it barely elicited a reaction out of her.

     She saw Trent come towards her, a large book like item in his
hands.  He said softly, "Beth, I made this for you." She noticed that
the package was wrapped in a shiny green paper.

     Beth sat forward slightly, taking the package from her brother
slowly.  She sat it into her lap, slowly tearing the wrapping paper
off. She felt her father breathe down her neck as he peeked over her
head to see what Trent had given her. Beth tossed the torn wrapping
paper onto the floor, revealing a blue colored photo album.

     Sam said quietly, "Well, open it.  Let's see what's inside."

     Beth saw her father's arms come around her middle, flipping the
cover of the photo album open. Inside the front cover sat a picture of
the tour bus. Beth saw her father turn the page, noticing that the
next picture was of her mother and father, standing by the tour bus.

     Trent said, "This is the pictures of the trip we took while we
looked for you. I thought you'd like a photo album of the things you
missed so you could see what we were doing while you were gone. Aunt
Kathy gave me this one."  Trent flipped through the book until he
found the one with Mike and himself napping. "I don't know if Uncle
Mike has seen it or not."

     Mike asked from the chair he was sitting in, "What photo is
that?"

     Trent said, "It's you and me napping together, Uncle Mike. Aunt
Kathy said she took it and that I could include it."

     Mike glared at Kathy, causing Beth to giggle. She smiled at the
picture of her uncle and brother napping together, but when Mike got
upset about Kathy taking the photo, Beth finally reacted with
laughter.  She said, "Uncle Mike, you're so funny."

     Mike glared at Beth, but smiled, allowing his dimples to show. "I
try.  It's still not fair sneaking a photo of me sleeping. That's just
not fair."

     Kathy made her face pouty. "Well, I thought it was cute and I
wanted a picture of it. Why not? So I took the photo."

     Beth giggled more, burying her face into her father's shoulder.
She felt shy for giggling but couldn't help it as her aunt and uncle
argued over the photo. She felt her father hug her tight and someone
slide the photo album off of her lap to keep it from falling to the
floor.

     Sam said, "You can laugh, Beth.  No one is going to get upset at
you for laughing. Go right ahead."



     Mike slept peacefully one spring morning, when Kathy next to him
suddenly kicked him in the shin causing him to stir. He grunted,
opening an eye.  "Why the hell did you just kick me?"

     "Michael, the baby. . .I think it's time." Kathy gasped. She was
pale and slightly sweaty.

     Mike jolted upright. "Are you sure? Let me get Jo Jo or someone
to make sure and we'll get you to the hospital. He tossed on some
sweats, scampering out of the room as he tried to get his second leg
inside his pants. He nearly tripped, steadying himself on the
doorjamb.

     Mike made it downstairs to where Sam and Jo Jo's bedroom was. He
pounded on the door, waiting for an answer.  Sam yanked the door open,
eyes squinted.  "What the fuck do you want?"

     "Kat. She's gone into labor."  Mike felt his tongue nearly trip
over the words. "We've got to get her to a hospital."

     Sam sighed. "Jo Jo, go help Kathy.  I'm going to get dressed and
we'll help her get to the hospital. It'll be alright.  And Mike, get
something else on so we can go. Jo Jo will help Kathy get downstairs
and to the car."

     Mike walked back up the stairs.  He heard Kathy moan. Mike
kneeled down by the bed. "Jo Jo's on her way upstairs.  It'll be
alright. Sam's going to drive us to the hospital."

     Kathy gasped. She closed her eyes, gripping the bed sheets next
to her. "Hurry!" Kathy bit her lip tightly.

     Mike stood up, pulling on a shirt and a pair of jeans that were
lying on the floor. He saw Jo Jo waddle into the room, helping Kathy
sit up slowly. Her own pregnant size was beginning to show. Jo Jo
said, "Now, Kathy, how long have you been having contractions?"

     "I don't know, but it just started to hurt. Hurry." Kathy bit her
lip again.

     Jo Jo sighed. "Mike, toss me a maternity dress. She can't go in
her night gown."

     Mike nodded, digging through the dresser they had in the guest
room. He found a dress for Kathy to wear, tossing it haphazardly
towards the bed. His expression was wild and nervous.

     Sam stood in the door way.  "Mike, I'll help Jo Jo get Kathy
downstairs but I want you to get into the car. Don't worry, she'll be
okay. Just get in the car so that when we get her downstairs and into
the car, you can take her."

     Mike nodded, too nervous to speak.  He went downstairs opening
the car door.  Mike climbed into the back, anxietly slightly sneaking
up on him. He hoped that this time everything would turn out alright.

     Mike felt Kathy clamp her hand tightly around his. He looked down
at her, noticing she was biting her lip to hold back a scream in pain.
Mike felt his face become paler than usual and he felt a sweat break
out across his brow. Mike felt her fingers squeeze tighter on his and
he bit his own lip so not to upset her by yelping.

     Jo Jo turned, looking over her shoulder at the two of them.
"We're getting there as fast as we can. It'll only be a bit longer.
Just hold on."  She turned back, facing the front.

     Mike looked back down at Kathy, smoothing some hair from her face
with his free hand. He felt her tightly grip his hand again and heard
a soft moan escape her lips. Mike wished the car could go faster and
get them to the hospital that much sooner. He wasn't sure if he could
take much more of watching Kathy in pain.

     He saw Sam pull the car into the Emergency drop off, putting the
car into park. He said, "Now, Mike, I want you to get out of the car
first. I'll support Kathy and we'll get her inside.  Jo Jo, alert the
medical staff, okay?"

     Mike watched as Sam unbuckled his seat belt, open his door and
step out. He waited for the door to be opened, wrenched his hand away
from Kathy, and stepped away from the car. He waited for Sam to start
helping her before he grabbed her other side gently.

     Jo Jo and a nurse came out of the emergency door entrance. The
nurse was pushing a wheel chair. Mike gently helped Kathy stand up and
let Sam guide her backwards to sit down into the chair. Then the nurse
took over, wheeling Kathy into the hospital.  Mike quickly followed
behind.

     Sam pulled Mike by the shoulder.  "Stop man. Let the nurses get
her comfortable first. Then go see her."

     Mike wrung his hands. He paced, "What if it happens again?"

     "It'll be okay. Calm down. Let them get her comfortable and then
you can go see her before they do the delivery. With your nerves, it's
best you stay with me instead of trying to go in to the room. You'd
faint if you went with her the way you're acting."

     Mike glared, not sure what he wanted to say or do next. He said,
"I'm just nervous. I hope she's alright."

     "Well, she was healthy and so was the baby. She has been since
we've taken you guys in since we got home. It'll be alright. Just let
the nurses and doctors do what they need to do."

     Mike nodded, looking down at the white tile floor. He sighed.
Mike could only hope that the outcome would be alright this time. He
sat down in a waiting room chair, running his hands through his long
hair. He looked up, feral green eyes staring up at Sam.  "I don't know
what I'll do if this one doesn't make it."

     "It'll be alright man. Chill."

     Mike watched as Jo Jo sat down carefully next to Sam in the
waiting room. She sighed. "Soon it'll be my turn again. Oh lucky me."
She was about six months along, indicating that the make up session in
December between Sam and her had been fruitful.  She closed her eyes,
resting in the chair.

     Sam laughed. "And I'll never forget telling John we were having
another kid. He told me as long as he doesn't have to be with a
pregnant Jo Jo, he doesn't care." Sam stretched his legs. "Mike, I
think you can go into the room now. Kathy won't be in delivery for
awhile, I'd assume."

     Mike stood up, almost tripping over his own feet. He entered the
room quietly, smiling at Kathy. She was in a hospital bed, hooked up
to a monitor system. He took her hand into his gently. "Kat, it'll be
alright. This one will make it."

     Kathy panted, squeezing his hand tightly. She relaxed,
responding, "I hope so, Michael." She smiled wanly at him. "I'll be
fine. Everything seems to be going normally this time. They're waiting
for me to be ready to go into delivery. It might take me a while to
get there."

     Mike nodded. He ran a thumb over the back of her hand. "Well, I'm
sure things will be okay but I'll still worry. Do you want me in the
delivery room?"

     "Michael, do you really think that's a good idea? I don't think
so.  It'd be best you stay with Sam and Jo Jo for now. It'll keep you
from driving me crazy while I'm delivering this baby. It'd about damn
time, if you ask me!" She smiled wide at him this time. Sweat was
dripping down her face slightly. "Nothing personal, but I'd like to
get rid of this baby from my body as soon as possible. He or she is
driving me mad."

     Mike laughed nervously. He said, "Well, soon it'll be all over.
I'm sure we'll stay with Sam and Jo Jo for just a bit more and head
home to New Orleans. It's been a long time since we've been home."

     Kathy smiled. "I know. I miss home a lot, too." She squeezed his
hand, biting her lip again. As the contraction passed, she eased up on
his hand, grumbling, "I hate this!"

     Mike smoothed some hair from her face. "I know, but it'll be
worth it in the end."

     "That's what you say now! You're not the one who has to push this
baby out of you." She was beginning to grow a bit snappy. A moment
later, she said, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't get mad at you like that."

     Mike laughed, a bit more sure of himself. "Kat, it's okay to get
cranky. It can't be any fun having babies." He kissed her temple.

     "It may be a long while before I decide to do this again, let me
tell you." She sighed. "Now if it would only get out. This baby is
taking way too long for me. I want my baby in my arms, not my belly!"

     Mike laughed. "Now you're being silly. It'll happen soon. You'll
have a baby in your arms and not your belly very soon."

     Kathy giggled. She smiled at Mike. "We're very silly."

     Mike nodded. "You started it by being silly in the first place."

     Mike rejoined Sam and Jo Jo when they wheeled Kathy down the hall
away from them. He sat down nervously, running a hand up his left arm.
He glanced over at Sam before fixating on the boring tile floor
pattern. He squeezed his arm, attempting to calm down. Mike jumped
when he heard Sam speak.

     "Hey man, she'll be okay. They'll do everything to make sure both
survive and things will be okay. You'll see."  Sam put a hand gently
onto Mike's shoulder. "Just chill. I better call Brian to let him know
that she's in delivery. I'm sure the kids are having a good time."

     Mike glanced over at him before looking back down. He sighed. "I
just hope this time things do really turn out." He stood up, pacing.
He wished he had gone with her into the delivery room, but knew that
he'd never be able to handle it. He laughed nervously. "Ya know, Kat
and I never did agree on a name for a boy or a girl."

     Sam laughed. "I'm sure you'll have a good name for him or her
when the time comes. It won't be long now before you do know." He
patted the chair that Mike had vacated. "Sit down, man. You're gonna
drive me nuts if you keep pacing like that."

     Mike sighed. He looked over, noticing that Jo Jo had fallen
asleep in her chair. She had one hand under her head as she slept
quietly. Mike nodded towards her. "You can take her back home if you
like. No reason to keep her here."

     Sam glanced over at Jo Jo. "Yeah, but I'm not about to get my
head ripped off to drag her back to the car. I'd rather leave her
there for now." He sighed. "At least she's sleeping."

     Mike sat down, nodding. "Okay. I just don't want her to stay if
she doesn't have to." He pulled some hair away from his face. "Oh man,
I hope everything is going alright."

     Sam sighed. "I'm sure it is. Don't worry so much. Kathy was in
great health this time around. Everything should work out just fine
this time. And then you'll enter the world I already inhabit.  
Fatherhood and all of it's joys. And there are going to be times you
will wanna strangle the kid."

     Mike laughed. "I can only imagine.  Like when?"

     "Oh, just the little things when they get old enough to go to
sleep but choose not to and scream and create scenes. Or when they
come downstairs and knock on the door at about 3 in the morning for
water but you know you can't exactly let them in as your being busy
with the woman, or the times you go to the store and just want to
throttle them for screaming about some cereal you said they couldn't
have.  Those kinda things. It's a blast." Sam said, crossing his arms.
"And then there are those little things like Fathers' Day or your
birthday and they give you a card drawn by them or sing a little song
they wrote and you know it's not very good, but it's special cause
they tried."

     Mike laughed. "Looks like I got some exciting things ahead of me.
What about that so called terrible two stage?"

     "Are you kidding? Richie is just entering that fun time.
Screaming, cramming things in his mouth, walking and running to
prevent you from taking what ever it is away. It's one of those times
you wanna just make them go away and give them to someone else to deal
with. I do. I hand him off to Jo Jo."  Sam smiled wide. "Of course I
pay for it later, but hey, at least I didn't deal with the kid at the
time."

     Mike laughed. He looked up as a nurse approached him. "Yes?" He
glanced at his watch, realizing that several hours had passed as he
and Sam sat talking.

     "Mike Flood? Come this way. Your wife and new born daughter are
waiting.  Just follow me." The nurse smiled wide as his face paled
more than usual.

     Sam shook his head. "Hate to tell ya before you go, Mike. You're
fucked now! A girl! She'll have you wrapped around her finger in an
instant."

     Mike glared before quietly following the nurse to where Kathy
was. He hoped that when he got there things would be alright.

     Mike entered the room quietly.  He looked over at the bed,
noticing Kathy was tired and sweaty, but happy.  She was holding a
small form wrapped in the standard pink blanket close to herself,
looking at it tenderly. He cleared his throat, stepping forward.

     Kathy looked up, smiling. "She's here. She's really here. Do you
want to hold her?"

     Mike smiled nervously. "Of course I do, but I'm afraid I'll drop
her."  He smoothed some hair away from Kathy's face. "I see things
worked out the way they should this time."

     Kathy sighed. "Michael, she isn't going to bite you. Here, hold
your arms out and let me hand her to you. Support her head the most."
She smiled at his nervousness.

     Mike gently took the small baby from her. He moved the blanket
back away from the small face, looking down.  Her eyes were closed and
she protested extra light with a soft cooing sound.  Mike sat down
into a chair near the bedside, awed by what he held in his arms. "We
made this?"

     "Yes, Mike, we did. And she's very tiny, but very healthy." She
watched him as he rocked the small baby back and forth in his arms.
She smiled. "Now all we need to do is name her."

     Mike looked up. "Hmm. I don't know yet. I'm just meeting the
girl."  He smiled, only turning one side of his mouth up. Mike looked
back down at her, noticing she had a tuft of dark brown hair at her
temple. He smiled. "Well, she's got nice hair so far."

     Kathy laughed softly. "It might not stay that color, you know."

     Mike laughed. "She's already won me and she hasn't even opened
her eyes.  She'll be a heart breaker."

     Kathy shook her head. "Well, I'm not surprised. As soon as they
handed her to me, it didn't matter how many trips I had to make to the
bathroom or how much labor hurt."

     Mike smiled at her. He stood up, gently handing his daughter back
to Kathy. "Now, we need a name."

     "How about Stephanie?" Kathy suggested.

     "No. Too cheerleady. It's the type of name you associate with
mall rats and cheers and stupid football jocks. No." Mike looked down
into his little girl's face, leaning slightly over Kathy. "She looks
like something else than that."

     Kathy looked up at him. "I bet she'll be a lot like her father
the way she kicked and the way she's so quiet right now."

     "Hmm. Melanie? I like that name."  He sighed. "I dunno. Just not
her."

     "Bonnie. That's her name. Bonnie."  Kathy said, smiling up at
him. "It's a nice name."

     "Bonnie Kathleen. I like it." He smiled at the baby, then kissed
Kathy.  "It's perfect."

     "Michael, I knew you'd sneak my name into hers. It fits, though.
I like it. Bonnie Kathleen. I can't wait until we can take her home
with us and finally settle in. She's so small, though." Kathy nestled
her close to her body. "She's only six pounds."

     Mike sighed. "Well, she's healthy.  She'll just curse both of us
later in life for being short and small. It's not my fault!" He gently
took Bonnie into his arms quietly. "Hey there, Bonnie. It's a big
world out there.  Wait until you meet your uncle and aunt and cousins.
They'll really like you a lot."

     Kathy smiled. "Well, I'm sure they will."

     Bonnie opened an eye as if she realized that her name had been
said.  They were the bluest eyes Mike had ever seen, but he noticed
tiny green flecks inside. "She's gonna have green eyes like me. Look."
Mike sat down onto the bed next to Kathy.

     Kathy looked at the now awake Bonnie. "Why, I believe you're
right."

     Mike smiled. He watched her as she yawned, looked at him with
wide eyes and raised the tiniest hand he had ever seen on a human
being. She reached out towards him. Bonnie began to cry when she
couldn't connect to anything with her tiny hands.  Mike said, "God,
she's got tiny fingers."

     "All babies do, Michael. You better let her touch something or
she'll scream."  She smiled, knowing Mike was very nervous about
holding his child.

     Mike raised her higher up, letting her move her arms around to
feel for her surroundings. Her tiny fist hit him square in the nose
and he laughed low in his throat. "Well, she's got piss and vinegar in
her, too."

     Kathy laughed. "She just wanted to know what that gigantic thing
on your face was."

     "Gee, thanks." He slowly handed Bonnie back to her. "I'm going to
get Sam and Jo Jo so they can meet her, okay? I'll be back, you two."

     Sam and Jo Jo were sitting in the lobby when Mike rejoined them.  
Sam noticed that Mike had a wide smile on his face and a slight bounce
to his step. He said, "So, what's she look like?"

     Mike smiled. "Why don't you two come see her. She's waiting with
her mother at the moment."

     Jo Jo stood up slowly. "I see someone's a proud father. I take it
this one's healthy and happy." She steadied herself before following
Mike and Sam towards the maternity ward.  She grumbled, "And soon
it'll be me.  That's it, Sam. No more touching me."

     Sam laughed. "Jo Jo, I don't believe that one for a second. Let's
just go meet the baby." He shook his head at the silliness of his
wife. He sighed. "I'm sure she's beautiful."

     When they walked into the room, Sam noticed Kathy and a small
pink bundle. He smiled. "She's tiny, isn't she?"

     Kathy looked up from her baby, smiling. "Very. Would you like to
meet Bonnie Kathleen?"

     Jo Jo smiled. "That's a pretty name.  I like it." She sat down
next to Kathy in one of the chairs. "Now if I could get this one out
of me things would be alright. May I hold her?"

     Kathy eased Bonnie slowly into Jo Jo's arms. Bonnie didn't seem
to fidget or protest, being tuckered out from meeting her father
earlier. She yawned, falling back asleep once Jo Jo held her still.
Kathy said, "She's got her father's temperment so far. Kicked me like
crazy but is gentle and quiet and shy so far. Of course, she's only
new born so that'll change."

     Sam stood behind Jo Jo's shoulder, looking down at the tiny girl.
He said, "Well, this one will be a heart breaker, Mike. She's got
Kathy's nose thankfully."

     Mike almost puffed up with pride.  Usually it was not his usual
state, but being a new father had evoked emotions in him he hadn't
expected.  "Well, she's very pretty. Her eyes are going to be green.
She's got specks of green in them already.  We're not sure what her
hair color will be, yet." He smiled slightly, upturning one corner of
his mouth.

     Sam laughed. "I see you're overcome with new fatherhood. And you
should be. She's adorable. I just hope she doesn't break some body's
heart before she learns to walk or talk. She seems to have that
capability and she's not even awake."

     Jo Jo laughed from where she held Bonnie. "I see you two are
already won over. She's very sweet looking, though. She's got pale
skin, too. She's going to be a very pretty girl later on. She already
is." Jo Jo looked down into the small face, watching as Bonnie slept
peacefully.  She sighed. "Hopefully she won't have lungs on her. It's
awful when little babies get them lungs and scream. I got this one
here who does it for a living, but those kids seem to out class him in
that department sometimes."

     "Hey!" Sam started to protest, then whispered, "Be nice. They
grow out of it eventually."

     "I know, but it still gives me a headache when we have a two year
old belting out one of your classic screams outta the blue." She
looked up at him, smiling slightly. Jo Jo gently handed Bonnie back to
Kathy.  "I'm glad everything worked out for you this time. It's good
to see a little girl."

     Sam smiled. "You're outnumbered now, Mike. Two women in one house
with you should be very interesting. I'm sure we'll all be watching to
see how you react to that. And if I know little girls like I do,
she'll have you in the palm of her little hand without even batting an
eyelash."

     Mike smiled wide. "I'm sure she will. She already does. She even
knows her name already."

     "I'm sure she does. So, what instrument are you gonna teach her
on first? Piano or guitar or both? I know you. You can't resist." Sam
smiled.  "Beth never seemed to take to it. She went for her mother's
career choice.  Trent on the other hand, he's more like his old man."

     "In more ways than one, mister!"  Jo Jo said, laughing. "I'll be
back shortly. The bathroom calls."

     Sam let Jo Jo up, steading her.  He joined Mike on the other side
of the room, clapping him on the back.  "Well, congratulations. I'm
sure everyone else will be glad to meet Bonnie. But I'm warning you.
If you shake her or anything, she will puke.  Hand her off if you
happen to do that.  Especially to those you don't like.  That way you
can make it look like an accident."

     Mike laughed. "I'll have to remember that when you're being as
irritating as possible. Thanks for the tip."



     When Sam and Jo Jo arrived home, Richie was waiting for them in
the living room. He stood up on wobbly legs, crying out, "Da!" He
tried to run towards his parents, but lost his balance, toppling over
onto his bottom.  Then he began to cry.

     Sam sighed. "Well, big guy, maybe you shouldn't run just yet,
huh? It's okay. Don't cry about it. You barely fell."

     Jo Jo laughed. "He's very tempermental." Jo Jo sat down into the
chair, easing her body into a comfortable position. "I'm so tired and
I'm not even the one who gave birth today. What were we thinking
having another child?"

     "I dunno. I didn't exactly plan on it, ya know. It sorta
happened."

     "There's nothing sorta about it, Sam. It did." She closed her
eyes.

     Sam picked up Richie, sitting down onto the sofa with him. Sam
bounced him, calming the little boy. Sam asked, "Richie, where's your
brother and sister? They gotta be around here some place. You can't
just be sitting on the floor by yourself like that for very long."

     Brian came out of the kitchen.  "I didn't realize you were home.
The kids were helping me make some supper.  Trent was supposed to
check up on Richie a bit ago, but didn't. I see everything is okay.
So, what's the verdict?"

     "Baby girl. Bonnie Kathleen. I don't expect Mike to come down
from that high until she starts to cry at night." Sam said, smiling.
"She already owns Mike."

     Brian laughed. "I better get back into the kitchen. Beth is
helping me make some pasta. Lord knows where Trent went off to. I
think he got bored and went into his room."

     Sam nodded. "Okay. Sounds about right." He got up, carrying
Richie in his arms. "I'm going to put this big guy to nap and I'll see
what Trent is up to."

     Jo Jo opened an eye. "Okay. I'm going to nap here, then. It's
been a very long day." She sighed, setting her head back down onto the
chair back.  She crossed her arms, closing her eyes.  She yawned.

     Sam shook his head, carrying the now sleepy Richie. He sighed.
"Well, at least I know Mike has this to look forward to."



     A week later, on Mike's birthday, Bonnie and Kathy were released
from the hospital. Mike and Sam went to pick them up while Jo Jo set
up a homecoming for the new mother and child. Mike smiled shyly a few
times, looking down at the floor of the car.

     Sam glanced over at him from the driver seat, shaking his head.
"Well, they're coming home. Okay, sorta home.  Now the fun stuff
begins." He smiled.  "I'm sure Kathy's thrilled to be finally
released. I know that they don't usually hold new mothers that long,
but with Kathy's previous situation I'm not surprised."

     Mike nodded. He sighed. "I just can't wait till I get to be a
family with the two of them. Besides, it's been awful lonely in bed at
night."

     Sam slowed to a stop, parking in the hosptial parking lot. He
laughed.  "I bet it has. I know how that goes.  C'mon, let's get these
two home.  We'll just use Riche's baby seat for now."

     Mike and Sam made their way to the maternity ward. When they got
there, Kathy was filling out the exit forms. She smiled wide when she
saw Mike and set her pen down. Kathy kissed Mike. She said, "I missed
you. They're preparing Bonnie right now."

     Sam shook his head. "Well, this will be interesting. Let me take
your overnight bag to the car." He picked it up from next to where
Kathy stood.  "Tell them that I've got a car seat ready and we'll be
taking her home."

     Kathy nodded. "Okay." She took Mike's hand into hers, squeezing
slightly. She smiled at him shyly.  "Our baby girl is coming home. I
can't wait."

     Mike laughed. "I couldn't have asked for a better birthday
present, actually. Only problem now is when we get home I'm in a house
hold full of women. I'll have to invite some of the band mates over
more often."

     Kathy laughed softly. "Oh come on. You know you're thrilled she's
a girl. And Bonnie might fit right in. You never know."

     A nurse came out, handing Bonnie to Kathy gently. She was in a
baby carrier. Kathy smiled down at her child. "Isn't she just
beautiful?"

     "Very. Now if we could just get out of this hospital and go home.
Oh, there's Sam. I see he brought the car seat in with him. Hmm. Now
what?" Mike laughed. "Well, we could just take this one home with us.
We'll be needing one."

     Sam set down the car seat. "Damn.  They gave you one, eh? I'll
just toss this one some place and we'll load Bonnie in the one she's
already in.  No use in waking her up to move her from one carrier to
the other."

     Mike laughed. "Okay. Let's go back to your place. I can't take
this clean smell anymore."

     When they arrived home, Mike and Kathy carried Bonnie into the
house.  Sam and Jo Jo shook their heads as they watched the new
parents. Sam leaned in, whispering to Jo Jo, "Mike is going to be
frustrating the next few weeks, months, what ever you want to call
it."

     Jo Jo giggled. "At least they're happy. I know they wanted this
baby so very much." She sighed, taking a seat in one of the chairs in
the living room.  She rubbed her belly. "Not like you weren't
frustrating when you first became a father."

     Sam laughed. "I'm sure I was."  He sat down not far from her. He
watched as Mike set Bonnie's carrier down onto the coffee table very
carefully. She remained asleep.  Beth and Trent came in from the
kitchen, Trent with a can of soda.

     Beth quietly looked down at the baby. She smiled slightly. "She's
cute. What's her name?"

     "Bonnie." Kathy said. "She's named Bonnie."

     Beth nodded. "She's so small.  Was I ever that small?"

     Sam laughed softly so not to wake Bonnie. "Smaller, actually. You
and Trent were smaller because you're twins."

     Bonnie opened her mouth, making a slight sound as she yawned. She
kept her eyes closed and moved her head around as she stretched
slightly.  Bonnie fell back asleep without waking any further. Jo Jo
smiled. "She's adorable. Mike why don't you set up the crib."

     Kathy bent down, gently picking up Bonnie who remained asleep.
She sat down, holding her.

     Sam shook his head. "Well, it's been a very interesting year. I
wonder what it'll be like when all these guys get big."

     Mike said, "I don't know if I'm ready for her to get big. I like
her the way she is right now. Cute and small."
 
     Jo Jo laughed. "Just you watch.  Bonnie will end up with one of
ours and we'll be in-laws." She watched Sam's expression widen in
surprise.  She sighed. "Sam, it wouldn't be that bad, now would it?"

     Mike smiled. "You never know.  It could happen. But for now,
let's not think of what she'd be like as a teenage girl. I'm not ready
for that."

     Sam sighed. "I suppose we'll find out, now won't we? At least
things can go back to some sort of normalcy. I won't even ask what
we'll be doing ten or so years from now.  I'll worry about that when
it happens."

     Mike laughed. "Wise decison.  Kathy, I'm going to go set up her
crib. Where is her baby blanket?"

     "It's in my suitcase."

     "Okay. And Sam, no more bullshit about the future, okay?"

     Sam nodded. "You bet."