Date sent:        Mon, 27 Oct 1997 06:59:11 +1000
From:             Chloe Durlem <mulderl@usa.net>
Subject:          Story No. 1

Childhood Memories
by Chloe Durlem
mulderl@usa.net

SUMMARY: A pre X/F story with Mulder and Scully meeting at Sam's b'day
party
SPOILERS:None
DISCLAIMERS:You know who they belong to, so don't sue me.
NOTE:If you have any comments, please E-Mail me at
mulderl@usa.net.Flames will be used to cook my banana cream pie.All
E-Mail will be answered personally ASAP.


3:45 PM
Friday, 10th January, 1969

Fox Mulder walked along the road, his head down and his hands jammed
into his pockets. It was raining, and he had forgotten to bring his rain
coat. His clothes were drenched and his clothes hung off him.He dreaded
going home.He looked up and the cold rain hit him harder on the face,
streaming down his neck and onto his chest. He trugded along the
pathway, stepping in the deep puddles that had formed.His shoes and
socks were already drenched, so there was no point in trying to keep
them dry. The traffic that had been going past had slowed due to
traffice lights.Fox looked inside the cars to see happy families,
enjoying the warmth and dryness. Some of the people were class mates. He
saw a window roll down and someone called out his name.He looked up
hopefully, expecting someone to offer him a ride home.Instead, he was
taunted.
"Ha, ha.Look, it's a drenched Fox." The car sped off and Fox was left
standing in the cold. He sniffled and continued to walk.How he hated his
name.Kids at school would call him `Fox in Sox' and all sorts of other
names.He was almost a year younger than most of him.Being nine years old
in the middle of the fifth grade wasn't a good thing.Most of his
classmates were already ten or eleven  years old. He dreaded going to
school.He had no friends their.Everyone hated him.He didn't know why.He
walked into his street and shuffled up the pathway that led to his
house.He wished his mom could pick him up from school like the other
kids.His mom didn't have a car and his dad was always to busy at his
job.But it wasn't a far walk for his mom to make anyhow. Fox shuffled up
the steps. He opened his front door and stood their, dripping wet. His
mother appeared and gasped when she saw him.
"Oh, my God, Fox.What happened ?" she asked, kneeling down to his height
and brushing the wet hair out of his hazel eyes. "Your'e soaking !!!"
She hurried him up the stairs and stood him in the bathroom.She peeled
his clothes off and ran him a hot bath.Fox remained silent through the
whole ordeal.
"I'm sorry, mommy.I didn't know it was going to rain and I didn't have
my rain jacket.I'm sorry." Fox said, then burst into tears. His mother
leaned down and hugged him.
"Oh, honey.It's okay.You didn't know it was going to rain.Shhhh, stop
crying." But Mrs Mulder knew the boy wasn't afraid of catching a cold,
or a minor ailment like that.He was worried about his fathers
reaction.She lifted his chin up and he sniffled. "We won't tell your
father about this, okay ?It'll be our secret." He gave her a small
smile.She kissed the top of Fox's head and proceeded to wash his little
body. After he was dry and had his pyjama's on and even though it was
still very early, Mrs Mulder tucked her son into his warm bed.He had his
thumb stuck firmly in his mouth and clutched his old Paddington Bear
under his free arm.He was a little old for both, but it comforted him
and kept him happy. Mrs Mulder (Ann) smiled tenderley down at her son.
She stroked his soft hair and sang him a soft lullably.Fox's eyes became
droopy and he soon drifted off to sleep. Ann heard the main door slam
downstairs.She knew her husband was home.She left her son,shut the door
and tiptoed down the stairs.
"ANN!!!!" belowed her husband from the kitchen.
"Hello Bill." Ann said, forcing a smile onto her face.
"Ann, when will dinner be ready ?" he asked impatiently.
"Uh, about 6 o'clock."
"Where is the boy ?" His menacing glare turned back to Ann.
"Uh, he's in his room." she stammered.
"What the hell is he doing up there ?He should be down here, doing his
chores." Bill exclaimed, heading for the stairs.
"Bill please, he's asleep." Ann blurted out. Bill turned halfway up the
stairs.
"Why ?" he asked accusingly.
"Uh, he.....he was very tired, so I sent him to bed." Ann exclaimed,
averting her husbands glare.
"Liar.Fox, FOX." he shouted as he continued up the stairs.Fox's eyes
shot wide open. `Oh, oh.' he thought `Daddy's home.' The door burst open
and all Fox could see was his father's sillhouette.Fox was petriffied.
"Fox, what are you doing in bed ?" he asked, stopming over to the
bed.Fox looked up at him, his thumb still hin his mouth.Fox began to
whimper uncontrollably. "Take your thumb out of your mouth and answer
me." he shouted.
"Bill, please, he's just a little boy." Ann pleaded.
"You stay out of this!!!" This silenced her, nothing more could be
done.Fox removed his thumb from his mouth and stammered.
"I........I got sick, daddy."
"Sick from what ?"
"I......I got wet  when I walked home from school."  Fox stammered,
still clutching his Paddington Bear.
"And why were you wet ?" 
"Be.....because it was rained."
"SPEAK PROPERLY.THAT'S WHY I SEND YOU TO SCHOOL." he bellowed. "Why
weren't you wearing your rain jacket ?" This is where it would begin.
"I.....I forgot it." Fox whispered. 
"How stupid are you ?They were forcasting rain.Now you've gone and
gotten yorself sick.Pathetic." he said disgustedly.Fox just stared up at
him with his big hazel eyes which were wide with fear. He held his bear
even closer. "Give me that bear.Your'e too old to be sleeping with a
stupid thing ." he snarled as he snatched the worn bear from his son's
arms.
"Daddy, no!!!" Fox yelled.He then suddenly drew back.Now, he was going
to get it. Fox looked at his mother	, standing at the doorway. He knew
she couldn't do anything about it now.She just turned away and left the
room. Bill closed the door, pausing, then locking it. Fox was terrified.
He knew something bad would happen. His father was still holding the
bear and suddenly, with one quick movement, he ripped Paddingtons head
off. "No.Daddy !!!!!!" he shouted.He got out of bed and charged at his
father, but Bill was an adult, and Fox was just a little 9 year old boy.
Bill shoved his son hard and he fell against the wall. Ann could hear
the commotion from downstairs, contemplating whether or not to call the
police. She just blocked her ears, waiting for Samantha to come home
from her ballet lessons. Meanwhile, upstairs, Fox was lying on the floor
in a heap.
"Get up." his father barked. Fox continued to cry. "I said get up.Stop
being such a weakling, NOW GET UP." Fox couldn't get up.His heard hurt
too much and he could feel something warm trickle down his forehead.Bill
came up to him, ready to belt him, when he heard the door open and a
voice shout.
"Helloooooooo.Daddy, Mommy, I'm hoooo-ooome." It was Samntha, Bill's 5
year old daughter. He left Fox in his room and went downstairs. His mood
changed now, seeing his daughter in her blue rain jacket and rain
hat.She removed her wet things and hugged her father. "Hello, Daddy."
"Hello munchkin.How was school ?" he asked, picking her up.
"Good."
"How was  ballet ?"
"Great.Guess what daddy ?We're gonna have a ballet concert and I get to
dance in front of everyone and I get a prize and a ribbon at the end and
lots of other mommy's and daddy's will come.Will you come and see me
dance ?" she asked, her big brown eyes looking up into her fathers.
"Of course.Now go upstairs and get out of your school clothes." Bill
said.Samantha scooted up the stairs and past her brothers room. `Fox
should be home from school by now.' Samantha thought. She could see from
under the door that the room was dark.She quietly opened the door and
peeked in.It was so dark. She walked over to the little lamp, but stood
on something on the way. She picked up what was left of Paddington Bear
and it's head, with stuffing flowing out everywhere.Samantha dropped it
when she saw Fox lying in the corner.She kneeled down beside him and saw
the blood.
"Fox," she whispered. "Fox, wake up." He groaned and sat up slowly.He
had a deep gash on his forehead. "Fox, what happened ?" Samntha asked.
"SAMANTHA." Oh, oh.It was her father.She ran to the top of the stairs.
"What are you doing, honey ?"
"I was just in my room.I have to go to the bathroom." Samntha lied.
"Okay, sweetheart.Look, your mommy and I are going out to the Peterson's
for dinner.We'll be back in a couple of hours.Order a pizza.The money's
on the bench."
"Bye Daddy, bye Mommy." Samantha shouted. And with that, they
left.Samantha ran back to Fox's room, where he was still sitting.She
helped him up and led him into their large bathroom where she made him
sit on the closed toilet. "Fox, what happened ?" she asked.She was the
same height as him when he was still sitting down.She looked deep into
her eyes. "Was it daddy ?" Fox nodded. Samantha went to the first aid
cupboard and got some antiseptic and bandages. She cleaned his cuts,
like she had seen her mommy do it, and then bandaged them. "Fox, I'm
sorry about Paddington." Samantha said quietly.Fox just gave her a small
smile.
"Where's mom and dad ?" he asked.
"They're out.We can get pizza." Samantha offered, leading him out of the
bathroom and downstairs.Their parents had left $20 to buy the pizza
with.Fox's head hurt alot. He felt really dizzy and had to sit down.
"Fox, are you okay ?" Samantha asked.
"Yeah, it's just that my head hurts alot." he answered, the pain
worsening.
"Fox, maybe I should go next door and get Dr. Mannard.Maybe he can help
you Fox." Samantha said, putting her winter coat on.
"No, Sam........Sam, don't......" and with that, Fox fell from the chair
and fainted. Samantha's eyes grew wide and she screamed. She shook him
violently.
"Fox, FOX.Wake up, please....." She didn't hesitate any longer. She ran
out the door into the rain and ran next door.She clambered up the porch
and banged on the front door. "Dr Mannard.Mrs Mannard.Hello.Is any one
home ?" The porch light switched on and the door opened.
"Dear child, Samantha, what's wrong ?" Mrs Mannard asked, opening the
outer door.
"Please, it's Fox.He's not waking up, what should I do ? Help please."
Samantha cried.
"I'll get the doctor." Mrs Mannard said, going back into the
house.Samantha was sobbing now. Dr Mannard came to the door with an
umbrella and his black doctors bag. He and his wife held Samantha's hand
as they scurried over to the darkened house. Dr Mannard rushed over to
Fox and felt his pulse whilst Mrs Mannard tried to calm Samantha.
"Call 9-1-1." the Doctor told his wife. The ambulance would be their
soon. Mrs Mannard took Samantha upstairs to get her things so she could
go with Fox to the hospital. She saw the disformed Paddington Bear on
the floor and quickly picked it up and placed it in Samantha's
backpack.As they walked down the stairs, the ambulence was just
arriving. Dr Mannard gave the medical team the details and they were
soon off to the hospital.

Fox and Samantha's parents were contacted and they rushed into the room
where Fox was being held. The doctors had put stiches in the large gash
on Fox's forhead.He had been stuck down with a severe case of pneumonia
and was lying in bed, sickly and pale, looking as thin as he had ever
been before. Ann rushed over to him, while Bill just stood in the
doorway.
"Oh, Fox.Fox, are you alright, honey ?" Ann asked as she carressed her
son's stitched up forehead.He opened his eyes.
"Yes, mommy, I'm okay.I'm just a little sick." Fox answered quietly.
"What ever happened to your forehead ?" she asked worriedly.Fox looked
at his father and saw his eyes narrow.
"Um.....I just fell in the bathroom and hit it on the tap." Fox lied.He
looked back at his father and saw him smile.He walked over to Fox's bed
and ruffled his hair.
"You've got to be more careful, Fox.Okay ?" Bill said.
"Yes, sir." Fox answered.He looked at Samantha sitting over at the far
side of the room.She knew what had happened and her eyes were wide with
fear.

Fox went home soon after and he had his stitches removed.Other than
that, things went back to normal. Samantha continued to get all the
attention, and Fox continued to get all the beatings.He hated it when he
went to school and people would ask him what happened.He would have to
lie about it, and say he did something stupid, like walk into a door, or
fell down some stairs.So Samantha continued to be her happy, bright
self, whilst Fox remained sad and quiet. It was about a week before
Samantha's birthday when she came tearing through the house after
school.Fox followed behind her.
"Mommy, Daddy.Where are you ?" Samantha yelled, dropping her backpack,
which wasn't very heavy, considering she was only in kindergarden.
"We're in the kitchen, honey.Is Fox with you ?" Ann asked.
"Yes, the `Fox in Sox' is with me." Samantha teased.Fox hated it when
she called him that.He shuddered and followed his sister.
"Mommy, you know how it's my birthday in about 7 days ?" she asked.
"Yes.What's on your mind ?"
"Well, could I please have a party ?Please ?I could invite all my
friends and we could play games and get a magic man and have all kinds
of yummy food.Could we ?Could we please ?" Samantha blurted out.Fox left
the room.He didn't want to hear it.His father didn't care when it was
his birthday.His mother had bought him a new book, but there was no
party, no cake, no nothing.Fox trudged up the stairs and into his
room.Meanwhile, downstairs, Samantha was telling her parent her plans
for the party.
"Well, I guess you could have a party.Seeing this is the first year at
school for you.We might go down to the store now to buy some
invitations, okay ?" said Ann.
"Oh, yay.This will be the best party ever.Thankyou mommy, thanks daddy."
she said, giving her parents a hug.Bill smiled affectionatly at her and
patted her head.Ann was worried about leaving Bill alone with Fox, but
shrugged off the idea after what had happened before.

Ann and Samantha returned soon after with some supplies.Fox was
downstairs now, having a glass of juice and some cookies.He sported a
new bruise on his right arm, and a large, angry red welt on his left
arm.The baseball bat was standing at the top of the stairs.Ann knew what
had happened.She felt a tug at her blouse.
"Mommy, can I tell you who I want to invite ?" Samantha asked, looking
up at her mother.
"Of course dear."
"Well, I want to invite Christine, Lauren S, Elizabeth, Anna, Helen,
Naomi, Caitlin, Sacha, Lorna, Simone, Lauren R, Maha, Lucy, Jessica,
Collette, Nina, Shannon, Nat, Claire and......and.....oh yeah.There is
this new girl, Dana Scully, and I want to invite her, because shes
really nice and really funny and really cool and she has two brothers
and a sister and I want you to meet them all.So can I invite them ?"
"Of course.Make it a family party.Now lets go into the study to do those
invitations." Ann said, not giving her son another glance.

It was a good day for a party.The sun was shining and it wasn't too
warm, but it wasn't too cool.It was strange end of winter weather.The
last snow had melted and everybody was looking forward to a good
spring.The large, pretty back garden was decorated with balloons and
half the guests had arrived already, bringing a present with them for
Samantha.No-one had really noticed Fox, so he went up to his bedroom to
read.Shortly, he heard a knock on his door and Mrs Mannard from next
door stepped in Fox's small room.He turned around, about to blast her
for coming in, but she saw the package she held in her hands.He scowled.
"Samantha's presents go downstairs." he said hoarsly.Mrs Mannard smile.
"Fox, this belongs to you, honey." She handed the package to Fox.It was
medium sized and Fox hastily undid the paper.Their, in a mound of tissue
paper, sat his Paddington Bear, with his head on.Fox stood their with
his mouth open. "I found it when your sister came to get us the night
you were sick.I sewed the head back on.I'm sorry I didn't give it to you
earlier.Don't let your dad see it, okay ?"
"Okay....thanks.Alot." Fox said and smiled up at her.
"Now, come downstairs and enjoy the party." Mrs Mannard added, as she
took Fox's hand.Mrs Mannard was still relatively young.Maybe in her mid
thirties.She was kind, but had no children of her own.She knew Fox's
father belted him, but her own husband told her it was none of their
business.Fox walked out into the yard.Her sister was talking to some
friends of hers.As he passed them they shouted out
"FOX IN SOX." Fox just keep walking.He looked around.All he could see
were happy people.All of Samantha's friends were wearing party dresses,
most of them were pink, but some were blue, yellow and white. `Yuck.They
look like marshmallows.' Mulder thought.He walked round to the front of
the house where he saw a little girl with curly red hair, wearing a pale
blue dress sitting on the porch.Obviously, no-one had notice her
absence.She looked sad.Fox crept up on her.
"BOO." he said.The little girl screamed.
"Don't do that.Didn't your mother ever tell you not to sneak up on
anyone like that ?" she yelled.Fox looked hurt.
"It was only ment to be a joke.Sorry."he turned away. `God, I can't do
anything right' he thought.
"Wait.Come back." the girl said, realizing how much she had hurt him.Fox
turned around to look at her "I'm sorry I yelled.I'm sorry.Please, come
back here.What's your name ?" Fox felt better.But he didn't want to tell
her his name.He would get the same reaction from her as he did with the
others five year old girls his sister knew.He paused. "Come on.Tell me
your name.I won't laugh." 
"My name is Fox.Fox Mulder.I'm Samantha's big brother." He cringed,
waiting for a smart alec comment about his name.
"What's wrong with your name ?I think it's just fine." the girl said.Fox
smiled.
"Well, what's your name ?" he asked.
"Dana.Dana Scully.Pretty boring, huh ?" Dana said.
"No, I think it's a beautiful name." Fox declared.
"Well, I think your name is just as good." Dana grinned at him.
"Why aren't you playing with the rest of your friends ?Don't you like
them ?"Fox asked as they sat on the porch.
"No.I like them.They're just playing some dumb, girly games that I don't
want to play, that's all." Dana said quietly.
"What, don't you like games like that ?" Fox asked.
"No.My brothers have a BB Gun at home.But they won't let me use it.They
say I'm too little and I'd put someone's eye out.I'm not that good at
it.I can't aim good enough." Dana sighed, tugging at her dress. "I hate
this thing." she muttered to herself.
"Do you want to change ?" Fox asked, an idea forning in his head.
"I don't have any other clothes." 
"Well, my sister  has some jeans and a shirt you could borrow.You can
give them back to her at school."
Fox said.
"Can I ?I hate wearing dresses.So uncomfortable." she added, standing
up.But before going into the house, Fox picked up a handful of dirt and
smeared it all over the front of Dana's dress.She gasped.
"Fox.What are you doing ?" Dana asked.Not that the dirty dress wasn't a
bad thing.But her mother would go nuts!!!
"We'll say that you slipped in the mud, got your nice dress all dirty
and that you had to change." Fox said, grinning at her.She followed him
into his house and up the stairs.He went into Samantha's room and found
a pair of jeans and a checked shirt that may fit Dana.He locked the door
and handed her the clothes.
"It's best if you got changed in here.Someone might use the bathroom and
see you.Then we'd both get into trouble." Fox explained.
"But....." Dana started.
"Don't worry.I'll turn around.And I won't peek." Fox said, reading his
mind.Dana paused a moment before slipping the muddy dress off.She
hastilly pulled on the jeans and shirt, plus a pair of sneakers that Fox
had given her aswell.
"I'm done.You can turn around now." Dana announced.Fox turned around and
smiled.
"Much better." he said.
"I feel better." Dana said, then the two hurried out into the yard.As
soon as Dana's mom saw her, she rushed over.
"Dana, honey, where's your dress ?" She looked up at Fox.
"Mrs Scully, my name is Fox Mulder, I'm Samantha's big brother." He held
his hand out and shook hers.
"Why, hello Fox.How are you ?"
"Fine thanks.Mrs Scully, Dana  slipped in the mud and got her dress all
dirty, so I lent her Samantha's clothes.My mom will wash Dana's dress
and she'll get it to you on Monday.It's already soaking in the tub." Fox
said.
"Well, thankyou Fox.You're very kind.Now why don't you two run along and
play." Mrs Scully said, turning back to another woman with whom she was
having a conversation with.Fox and Dana walked over to were two older
boys were kicking a soccer ball around.Dana ran up to the older one.
"Look, Bill, I got some nice clothes to wear." she said proudly, showing
off the lent clothes she was wearing.
"Good for you, munchkin." Bill said, ruffling her hair. "Who's your
friend ?" He gestured at Mulder.
"Don't call me munchkin.This is Fox.He's Samantha's big brother." Dana
said proudly.Bill walked up to Fox and shook his hand.
"Hi.I'm Bill Scully and this is my brother, Charles.Would you like to
play some soccer ?I'm sorry if my baby sister has been a pain." Bill
said.
"I'm not a baby.Can I play too ?" Dana asked.
"No.You're too small.Any you'll make me or Charles lose."
"She can team with me ?" Fox said, uncertainly. Bill and Charles looked
at each other and shrugged.
"Sure, if you don't mind playing with a loser like her." Bill joked.Dana
hit him playfully.
"You bully.You've never seen me play before.We're going to go and devise
our tactics." she explained haughtilly. So the two teams separated.Fox
and Dana stood under a tree and talked. "So why don't you play with your
sister ever ?" Dana asked.
"Umm.....all she wants to do is play dumb girls stuff, like dress ups
and dolls and tea parties.It makes me want to barf." Fox said, hoping he
hadn't offended her by what he had said.
"I know.It's icky.All that stuff is dumb.And I don't like it either.My
aunts and uncles but me dolls and stuff but I hate them.So I give them
to my little sister, Missy.She's 7 and likes that stuff." Dana said.Fox
was surprised.He had never met a girl who hated that stuff.
"C'mon, Dana.Lets play soccer." Fox said. The game began. Dana was
really good, which surprised everyone.She was small and quick. She had a
strong kick and set many goals up for Fox.By the end, it vas Fox and
Dana :4 , Bill and Charles :2.They were all panting when they returned
to the house, looking for something cold to drink.Most of the guests
were still there and they loked like they were having a good time. Fox
smiled.For once, he felt good.But that feeling dissolved when he saw his
father approaching him. Fox had no where to hide.
"Fox, son, come upstairs with me....NOW." he whispered sharply.Dana was
bragging to her brothers and didn't notice Fox's exit.He rushed up to
his room, his father close behind, and sat on the bed.His father closed
the door and looked at him.
"Where were you during the party ?" Bill asked coldly.
"I.....I went to play soccor with some friends." he stammered.
"How dare you ?This is your sisters first birthday party and you aren't
even their for her." His hand rose up above his head and he hit Fox hard
on his arm. "You ungreatful little sod...." The beatings continued, some
bringing blood, some not.He didn't dare scream.It would just make things
worse.Fox just sat their, cried and took the abuse he was so used to.

"Dana, honey, it's time to go.Go and find your dress.I'll take it home
and wash it.And say thankyou to Samantha for having you." Dana's mom
asked.Dana thanked Samantha for a great party and went into the house to
find her dress.She climbed the stairs quietly and heard thumps coming
from the far room, Fox's room.She held her ear to the door...
"You stupid idiot.How could you ?You were a mistake from the
beginning......". She care full opened the door.The people in the room
didn't notice her.She saw Fox on the bed.There was alot of blood.His
father was htting him.Dana was horrified. She screamed and made for the
man, hitting him and grabbing his arm. He spun around, surprised.
"Stop it, stop hitting Fox.Stop it,Monster....monster....stop it.Don't
hit Fox." Dana screamed.She was in tears.Bill didn't know what to do.He
heard a commotion on the stairs.He saw Meg, Dana's mom and his wife,
Ann, climbing up.Dana was still pounding Bill with her small clenched
fists.Meg rushed in.
"Dana, what are you doing, what's wrong ?" she asked, looking at her
daughter, then at Bill, than at Fox, who's nose and lip was bleeding.He
looked up.Dana was crying uncontrollably.
"He was hitting Fox.He was hurting Fox.Mommy, please take me
home.Please, I wanna go home." Dana cried as she put her head on her
mothers shoulder and continued to weep. Meg gave Bill and Fox one last
look.She knew what had happened.
"Ann, thankyou for having us." Meg said, giving her a smile.Then she
left and walked down the stairs.Ann looked at her husband and left
too.Bill turned around to Fox.
"Clean yourself up and help downstairs." he spat.Fox nodded.
"Yes sir." he whispered.Bill left the room and Fox hurried to the
bathroom.His head ached and he cleaned up the blood.Then he went
downstairs.Samantha saw him first and then looked down at the ground.
Fox's eye had already begun to develop a large, black bruise around
it.He averted her gaze. He went outside and began to clean up the party
area, which wasn't to bad.Every bone in his body stung.Every muscle
ached.Fox didn't know where his father was, but he hoped he didn't
return soon.After everything was done, he went back upstairs into his
room.He lay down on the bed and hugged his Paddington Bear.He was so
scared. He began to cry.It hurt so much.

He must of fallen asleep, because it was dark outside. He hadn't had his
dinner either, but he wasn't hungry. He felt sick. Suddenly, her could
here a tap on his windowpane. Then another. He got  up to see what was
making the noise. It was Dana Scully, the little girl he had seen
before. She was standing under his window, throwing little stones up at
the window. Fox smiled momentarily, then crept down the stairs. His
mother and father were heavy sleepers. An earthquake wouldn't of been
able to wake them up. Fox quietly opened the door and kept it slightly
ajar so he could get back in later. He ran around to the side and saw
Dana standing there.
"Dana, what are you doing here ?" he asked, half angry, half relieved.
"Fox, look at your face. Are you okay ?" she asked, gingerly touching
his eye and face.He cringed at her touch.
"I'm okay. A little sore.Do your parents know you're out ?" Fox asked.
"No. I snuck out. But I don't care. I'm sorry about your daddy. If you
want, you can come over and meet my daddy ?" she said, then instantly
regretted it. She chewed on her lower lip, afraid of his reaction.
Instead, he smiled.
"Of course. I'd love to meet your father."
"Really ? Great. Come over at 12. You can stay for lunch. Well, I'd
better go. Bye." and with that she was off. Fox hurried back into the
house and fell asleep imediately.One last though remained in his head:
`I have a friend....'.

FINI

I know, a pretty crappo ending. Anyone wanna do an alternative ? You
know where to find me!!!