Title -  Through the Eyes of a Child
Author - Kerri Sismilich
E-mail - UAKerri2001@hotmail.com
Classification - SR
Spoilers - None
Keywords - Pre-XF Mulder/Scully romance
Summary - Some meetings are fate.  Mulder and Scully meet as teens in 
high school and become best friends.
Disclaimer: Mulder, Scully, Mrs. Scully, Mr. Scully, Bill, Melissa, etc. 
are not mine.  They belong to FOX, Chris Carter, 1013 Productions and 
the actors that play them.
This story is dedicated to Missy, Bisky, Colleen and Lindsey who have 
begged and begged for me to finally finish this story.  Well, you guys, 
here it is!!!
Feedback greatly appreciated!


     Dana Scully hurried through the crowed halls, on her way to her 
next class.  It was her first day as a freshman in high school, and 
things were going pretty well.  Dana was glad to be in high school.  
Eighth grade was miserable.  She had just moved to Boston.  She had to 
be the new kid in a class of children who had been together for years.  
She had felt that everybody was already in his or her own groups and no 
one wanted to be her friends.  Once she had made it clear that she 
wasn't all that interested in making friends, people gave up and tended 
to steer clear of her.  High school was different because you weren't 
the only new student.  Everybody was new and wanted to make friends.  It 
was all so much easier.  Dana had already made several good friends in 
just about all of her classes.
	Dana reached classroom 9 a minute before the bell was scheduled to 
ring.  She glanced around the room at her Creative Writing class.  Since 
Creative Writing was an elective for everyone, her class contained a 
variety of different ages of students.  She saw a couple of girls she 
recognized as freshmen, one of whom waved to her and called her over.
	"Hi, Dana!" the brunette exclaimed, waving at her friend.  Dana 
recognized her from her first period English class.
	"Hey Beth, " she replied.  "How's your day going so far?"
	"Crazy," Beth answered, "It's all so much different than grade school.  
I love it!  There are lots of new guys, too."
	Dana smiled, "Yeah, I noticed."
	Then the bell rang and the students put their book bags down and sat.  
"Good morning," an elderly woman at the board welcomed them, "I'm Mrs. 
Van Velsor.  I'm be your Creative Writing teacher for this year." As 
Mrs. Van Velsor continued to talk about the course requirements, Dana's 
eyes wandered around the room, looking at all her class mates.  In one 
corner of the room, sat a bunch of older guys, taking notes on what the 
teacher said.  They were good looking, diffidently not nerds, but they 
were here to work, unlike most guys who signed up for Creative Writing.  
Those guys used it as an 'easy' class to talk and hang out in.  Her eyes 
then moved to three girls, juniors she guessed whose eyes were also 
wandering the room, obviously bored by the teachers droning.  Next, in a 
corner all by himself, sat a tall male.  Dana was instantly fascinated.  
He puzzled her.  He was quite good looking, with light brown hair, 
pretty hazel eyes and a slim body.  She wondered why he was all alone, 
not sitting with the group of guys in the corner, or the three girls 
that were openly eyeing him.  He sat slightly slumped in his chair, a 
sullen look on his face as if he never smiled.  What a shame, she 
thought, he probably has a gorgeous smile.  His nose was a little large 
for his face, but her mother always said that boys' faces would catch up 
with them later.  She sighed as she looked at him, he seemed so unhappy.  
She shrugged the feeling off and looked back up at Mrs. Van Velsor.  
They were assigned to write a piece.  They had a month to do it in, and 
it could be about anything.  Then, the bell rang and the students picked 
up their book bags and darted out the door.
	One week later, Dana was walking through the hallways to second period 
with a group of her friends, Dominique, Michelle and Rachel.  They were 
talking about a variety of subjects until a boy accidentally knocking 
into Dana, sending her binder crashing to the floor suddenly halted 
their conversation.  The boy immediately stopped and apologized.  He 
dropped down to the floor, murmuring that he was sorry, while picking up 
her binder.  He handed to her with an, "I'm sorry Dana."
She immediately recognized the boy as Fox Mulder.  His hazel eyes were 
distressed, obviously embarrassed about running into her.  "It's OK, 
Fox," she said.
He grinned, "Ah, so you do know who I am."
Dana melted, God, he does have a gorgeous smile, she thought.  His whole 
face seemed to light up.  She grinned back at him, "Yes, of course I do.  
You're a wonderful writer; I love your story for Creative Writing.  But 
anyway, I'll see you third period, we'd better hurry or else we're going 
to be late for class.  Bye Fox!"  Dana hurried away with her friends to 
second period.
"Bye Dana," he called.  He smiled again, surprising himself; he hardly 
ever smiled anymore.  He liked Dana, she was really nice.  He hoped the 
rumors about him hadn't gotten to her.  She seemed like she could be a 
great friend, something he was lacking.  Fox didn't really have any 
close friends, but he hoped Dana could be one.  She seemed not to think 
he was weird like the other kids at school did.
Another week later, Dana was sitting frustrated at her desk in Creative 
Writing.  Her story was going absolutely nowhere.  Mrs. Van Velsor had 
suggested she ask one of the other students for help.  She told Mrs. Van 
Velsor she would think about it.  But now the offer was sounding more 
and more tempting.  She sighed as she got up from her desk, approaching 
the teacher.  "Mrs. Van Velsor," she began, "I was thinking about what 
you said about getting help with my story and I think it's a really good 
idea."
Mrs. Van Velsor looked pleased that she was right.  "Marvelous Dana, I 
have just the person.  I think you should work with Fox Mulder.  He has 
finished his story already and I'm sure he would like to help."  She 
paused as she looked around the room, locating Fox.  "Fox," she called, 
"Would you come here?"
A few of the students turned to look at him, wondering what the teacher 
wanted.  He rose from his chair and walked to the front of the room.  
"Yes?" he inquired.
"Fox," Mrs. Van Velsor started, "considering the fact that your story is 
completed already and I find it quite wonderful, I was wondering if you 
would be interested in helping Dana with her story over the next two 
weeks."  She gestured to Dana with her hand.
"Sure, Mrs. Van Velsor," he said, "I'll help Dana."
"Good," Mrs. Van Velsor smiled, pleased with her student, "you can start 
helping her now, we've got about a half hour left of class."
Dana and Fox walked over to his desk and sat down, pulling an extra 
chair close for Dana.  Dana brushed a strand of red hair out of her eyes 
before speaking, "Well, I don't really know where to start, except for 
the fact that I'm totally stuck.  I am going absolutely nowhere in my 
story, it's just dead."
"Well," Fox cleared his throat, "Let me read what you have so far, and 
then I'll tell you what I think, OK?" he asked, awaiting her approval.
"Sure," she said, handing him her story.  He took the papers from her 
hand and sat back to read.  A few minutes later he looked up.  "It's 
really not as bad as you think, Dana.  It could use work in some areas, 
but it's really good.  I like Mary Beth, she's a good character, very 
funny."
"Really?  You think so?" Dana questioned, surprised he thought so highly 
of her story.
"Yeah.  When do you want to work on this, anyway?" Fox inquired.
"Um, as soon as possible," Dana said with a smile.  "How about this 
afternoon?  We can work on it at my house, I'm sure my mom won't mind."
"Yeah, that'd be fine.  I'll meet you after school at the flagpole, OK?" 
Fox asked as the bell signaling the end of class rang.
They picked up their book bags and walked out of the classroom together.  
"I'll see you Fox." She waved goodbye.
"Bye Dana, " he called over his shoulder, on his way to his next class.
"Oh, my God, you know Fox Mulder?" a voice behind her exclaimed.  Dana 
turned to see Rachel standing behind her gawking.
Dana brushed a stray strand of red hair out of her face, "Yeah, why?"
"Oh, my God, he's only the hottest guy in this school!  Everybody thinks 
so.  He's *really* weird, though.  No one will go out with him because 
he's so freaked about his sister."
"He has a sister?" Dana's brow furrowed.
"*Had* a sister," Rachel corrected.  "She disappeared a couple of years 
ago when he was babysitting her.  He claims not to remember any of what 
happened that night."
"Weird, very weird.  I wonder what happened," she said to herself as she 
rushed to her 4th period class.
"Dana!" someone called her name.  "Over here!"  She turned to see Fox 
Mulder waving to her.  She smiled and rushed over, "Hey!  Ready to go?"
"Yup," he said, his hazel eyes glowing with sudden happiness.  She 
wondered why.
"Why are you suddenly so happy Fox?" she teased him lightly.
He looked a little embarrassed as he spoke, "Well, I know it's only for 
school work and stuff, but it's been a real long time since I was 
invited to someone's house.  Once Sam." he trailed off, looking 
uncomfortable.
Once they got to her house, Fox was introduced to her mother, who smiled 
warmly at him and told him what a pleasure it was to meet him.  Fox 
glowed happily.  On the way down to the den, they passed Melissa.  "Hey 
Missy," Dana said to her sister.
"Hi Dana, who's this?" her sister asked curiously.
"Oh, this is Fox Mulder, he's helping me with my Creative Writing 
story." Dana informed her.
"Oh, cool.  Well, good luck then.  I'll see you later Dana." Melissa 
walked down the hallway into her room.
Once they were in the den, Dana shut the door and then sat down on the 
couch with the table in front of it.  Fox cleared his throat, "So, um, 
are you and your sister close?"
"Yeah, pretty close.  She can be annoying sometimes, but most of the 
time she's cool.  I can tell her just about anything." Dana replied.
Fox looked down suddenly.  "Yeah, my sister and I were pretty close.  I 
can't help thinking if she, if she were, if." his voice broke.
Dana reached two fingers under his chin and tilted his head up to look 
at him.  His eyes were sad and full of tears.  He sniffed lightly, "I, 
I, I'm sorry, Dana, I'll be OK in a minute," he said, looking away.
She brought his face back to look at her, and saw the pain in his eyes.  
"Oh, Fox," she breathed lightly and instinctively wrapped her arms 
around him, pulling him to her.  He broke down and cried on her 
shoulder.  His shoulders shook as sobs wracked his body.  She rubbed his 
back, trying to ease his tears.  He buried his face in her neck and 
tried to get a hold of himself.  It felt so good to finally get his 
anguish out, his father always said that men didn't cry, so he couldn't 
cry in his house.  He felt so safe with Dana.  He felt connected to her, 
and could trust her.  It was so hard to trust people, to find a friend.  
Fox desperately hoped she would be that friend, his someone to trust.
Fox winced suddenly when her roaming hand rubbed a tender area of his 
lower back.  Dana quickly pulled back and looked at him, "What?"
Fox sniffled and quickly tried to cover up his mistake, "It's nothing."
Dana shot him a look.  "Let me see Fox."  She moved behind him and 
pulled up his soft cotton shirt to expose his back.  She gasped at what 
she saw.  It was all bruised up, with red cuts scattered throughout.  
She rubbed them lightly and he flinched.  The marks were from his 
father's anger last night over Samantha's disappearance.  He was drunk 
and needed someone to blame and he blamed it on Fox, as usual.  He 
sighed, "My dad."  No further explanation was needed.
"Stay here," she said.  She hopped up from the couch as he sat down, and 
walked out of the room.  She found her mother in the kitchen and quickly 
explained to her what had happened.  She asked for the first aid kit.  
"I'll get it and come with you," Mrs. Scully said, getting the kit down 
from the shelf.
"No, Mom," Dana said firmly, "Let me handle this, he trusts me not to 
tell anyone.  I don't want him to know that you know.  He opened up to 
me and he's never going to trust me again if he finds out I told."
She took the kit and ran back into the den where Fox was sitting.  She 
told him to take his shirt off and he obeyed, letting Dana see how 
muscular he was.  She guided him to lie on the couch on his stomach.  
"Fox, what'd your father do to you?" she timidly asked.
He sighed, "Belt."  A simple word explained everything.  Dana opened the 
bottle of peroxide and poured some onto a cloth.  She rubbed it on the 
wounds on his back.  He hissed as the peroxide came into contact with 
his still fresh cuts.  "It's OK," she murmured lightly, rubbing more 
peroxide on his skin.  He hissed again and she lightly chided him, 
"Baby."
"Hey," he exclaimed, "I'm not-ouch!-a baby, Dana."
"There," she said, "All done."  She fastened the tape over his bandages.  
"It should heal now."
"Dana," Fox said, more serious, "I, um, thanks.  I really, really 
appreciate this; it's just so weird.  I mean, I feel so close to you, 
and I hardly even know you.  You're the first real friend I've had in a 
while."  He sighed.  "I suppose you've heard the rumors about my sister.  
Everybody's afraid of me because of it.  They think I'm spooky or 
something, but I really don't know what happened that night.  Do you 
think I'm spooky, Dana?"
"No," she said, "No, Fox.  I'm so glad you can open up to me.  It's made 
me so happy.  When I first met you, you seemed so lonely; I wanted to be 
friends with you.  I'm so glad we are.  I want you to know that I'll 
always be there for you.  You can tell me anything, but you don't have 
to tell me anything you don't want to."
"Yeah, thanks.  I'm feeling kind of overwhelmed right now.  Oh, jeez, 
your story.  I'm sorry Dana.  We should really work on it." Dana 
interrupted Fox.
"Fox, it's OK.  We can work on it some other time.  I want you to relax, 
OK?  Why don't you stay here for a while?  We can just watch TV, OK?" 
she flicked on the television set.
"OK, thanks," he grinned.  They sat on the couch together and he hugged 
her.  She looked surprised.  "Thank you, Dana, for everything.  You're 
really great."  They embraced for a moment then pulled apart, settling 
back to watch the TV. 
While working on Dana's story for the next week, they had become the 
best of friends.  They always walked together to Dana's house for a 
snack, or to watch television, or just to talk.  Her story was almost 
complete now.  Fox looked at his watch.  It was 6:30.
"Dana, I should probably go, my dad will be mad otherwise.  OK?" he 
said.
"Sure.  I'll just see you tomorrow then." She got up from the table to 
stand next to him.  They hugged good bye and Fox left.
At about 10:00 Dana's phone rang.  "Hello?" she answered, wondering whom 
it was.  She normally decided to go to sleep at this time, but she was 
working on the final touches on her story.
"Dana?" a voice shakily asked.
"Fox?" she asked, alarmed.
"Um, can I come over?  It's, it's really important," he tremulously 
said.
"Fox, what's wrong?  Tell me what happened!" she exclaimed.
"I'll be over in 10 minutes," she heard before he hung up the phone.
The next ten minutes were the longest of Dana's life.  She was so 
worried; she didn't know what was wrong with Fox.  Was he scared or 
alone or hurt?  She glanced at her watch for the umpteenth time.  Then 
she suddenly looked up as she heard a knock at the door.  She jumped out 
of her seat and flew over to open the door.  Fox stepped inside.  Dana 
gasped, "Fox, what happened?"
He didn't answer as his eyes filled with sudden tears that he 
desperately tried to will away.  His shirt looked bloodied and torn 
peeking out of his jacket.  Dana took him by the hand and led him 
upstairs to her bedroom.  She sat him down on her couch.  She ran out of 
the room to get the first aid kit again and on her way briefly told he 
mother that Fox was hurt and that he was going to sleep on her couch 
tonight.  Her mother looked wary at the idea of a boy sending the night 
in Dana's room, but she trusted Fox and her daughter's judgement.
Fox looked up as Dana reentered the room.  She kneeled in front of him.  
She helped him ease his jacket off, noticing how he cringed at the 
movement of his upper body.  She then set to work at unbuttoning his 
tattered shirt and easing it off.  This time it was her that cringed 
when she saw the gash on his stomach and his swollen left shoulder.  
Sighing, she again asked what happened.
This time he told her, explaining that his father was drunk yet again 
and shoved him into a dresser several times while stomping on his 
vulnerable stomach.  She sighed yet again and got a spare blanket from 
her closet.  She wadded it up and set it behind him as she pushed him to 
lay back in a semi-reclining position.  She gently palpitated his 
stomach and his hands immediately flew down to pull hers way because it 
hurt.  "No," he weakly cried out, "I'll be OK, just leave it alone, it 
hurts."  Dana sighed; he could be so stubborn sometimes.  She removed 
his hands and shot him a look.  She could be just as stubborn.  She 
pulled out peroxide, cloths, tape, bandages and cream for his cut out of 
the first aid kit.
"Fox, it'll never heal if you don't let me help, come on," she pleaded.
He fixed her with a stubborn look at first, but then softened at her 
pleading expression.  He couldn't deny her anything to long.  He loved 
his Dana.  Fox startled at that thought.  Love her?  I love Dana?  He 
was shook out of his reverie by Dana rubbing peroxide on the gash on his 
stomach.  It sent needles of hot pain lancing through his stomach and he 
howled.  Dana 'tsk'ed sympathetically.  She knew it hurt and she felt 
bad.  She continued to rub his gash as he gasped and winced and flinched 
at the stinging.  She told out the cream for cuts and spread of the cool 
gel of it, soothing the fire raging in his stomach.  He immediately felt 
much better.  She rubbed his belly lightly for him in a little 
affectionate gesture.  He bandaged up the wound and then turned her 
attention to his shoulder.
There wasn't much she could do there; it was just bruised and swollen.  
She wrapped it up for him and gave him a pat on the cheek.  She smiled 
lovingly at him, "Feel better?"
"Much," he replied.
She surveyed the scene before her before speaking.  "Why don't you go to 
sleep Fox?"
He looked confused, so she continued to speak, "You can sleep on my 
couch, OK?"
He looked uneasy about that idea and asked, "What about your mom?  I 
don't want to impose or anything."
"It's OK, Fox.  I asked her already.  You just lie down now and get to 
sleep."
She got a pillow out from her closet and placed it at one end of the 
couch.  She took the blanket out from under him and opened it up.  Fox 
unbutton his jeans and pulled them down exposing red plaid boxers 
hanging on narrow hips.  Dana watched, learning that he was really thin 
and muscular.  He spread out on the couch on his back, being careful not 
to hit his sore shoulder.  She pulled the blankets up over him, then 
smiled.  He smiled a sleepy smile back at her.  She leaned down to hug 
him and kissed him on the cheek.  After they pulled apart, Fox looked at 
her and wistfully said, "Dana, what would I do without you?"
Smiling at the question, Dana replied, "Hmmm, well, I know if I didn't 
have you, my life would be a lot less pleasant.  Now go to sleep, we 
have school in the morning."
"Good night, Dana.  Sweet dreams."
"Good night Fox."
Dana lay in her in the darkness, unable to draw her thoughts away from 
the sleeping body in the couch across the room.  She saw his appearance 
in her mind.  She saw his sleepy hazel eyes and his soft brown hair.  
She saw his muscular body, all wiry strength.  He was gorgeous.  Dana 
sighed and as she fell asleep, she realized she had also fell in love.
Dana woke early the next morning for school to find Fox still sleeping.  
She sat up in bed and rubbed her eyes.  She looked endearingly at her 
best friend who was mumbling softly in his sleep.  He was adorable when 
he was sleeping.  His face was relaxed and innocent.  He looked like an 
angel.  He looked so vulnerable in his sleep without the controlled mask 
he put on for the world.  Dana got out of bed and walked over to the 
couch.  Sitting on the edge of it, she ran an affectionate hand through 
his hair.  She noticed how soft and silky it felt between her fingers.  
She reminisced on her thoughts from last night.  'I love him?  Do I?  
When did this happen?  This is all so crazy.  He can't possibly love me.  
I'm a freshman; he's a junior.  I'm 15; he's 17.'  While she thought she 
absently continued stroking his hair and forehead.  She then glanced at 
the clock and decided to wake Fox.  She whispered softly to him while 
stroking his arm insistently, trying to wake him.  His eyelids fluttered 
briefly, then opened.  He looked at her and blink a few times, then 
yawned.  Dana's heart jumped in her chest.  He looked even more adorable 
once he woke up.  His hair was mussed and his eyes were sleepy, he was 
even smiling tenderly at her.
"Hey," she said, smiling.  "Good morning."
"Mm, morning," he said sleepily.
She put an arm under his back and raised him up into a sitting position, 
saying, "I want to take a look at your shoulder and stomach."  He yawned 
as she pulled back the blankets.  She took the bandages off his stomach 
from last night.  She examined his cut, prodding it lightly and 
squeezing his hand when he winced.  It looked considerably better than 
last night.  She rubbed more Neosporin on it and re-bandaged it.  She 
then unbandaged his shoulder and peered at it.  There wasn't that much 
of a change, although the swelling had gone down slightly and he said it 
didn't hurt that much anymore.  "Fox," she said, "I don't want you going 
to school today.  I want you to stay here with my mom.  She'll take good 
care of you."
Fox squirmed uncomfortably.  He didn't want to be a burden on Mrs. 
Scully.  He felt staying the night was even asking too much.  "I don't 
know Dana."
"Fox, my mother adores you!  She won't mind taking care you.  There's 
not that much to do.  All you really need is an ice pack and to stay 
home.  Here, let me go ask her."
Dana left the room and went downstairs into the kitchen.  "Dana," her 
mother said, "How's Fox?  What happened?"
"His father beat him again," she sighed as she spoke.  "He's got a bad 
cut on his stomach and his shoulder's bruised and swollen.  I don't want 
him to go to school today, but I don't want him going to his house.  
Would it be OK if he stayed here?  He really doesn't need anything 
except for an ice pack for his shoulder."
"Sure, honey.  It would be fine.  You know I care for Fox, and I 
couldn't stand for him to be hurt, don't you?"
"Yeah, Mom.  It's just," she sighed, "I, I just want him to be OK, is 
all.  I can't stand his father doing this to him, I feel so bad."  She 
went over to the refrigerator and got an ice pack out of the freezer.
"Oh, Dana, honey, I know.  We'll get help for Fox.  It's not right for 
him to be abused like this."
"Yeah, I know.  Well, anyway, I should probably go upstairs and get 
ready for school." Dana trailed off.  Though she knew her mother would 
take good care of Fox, she really didn't want to leave him.
"Dana, why don't you stay home today?  I'm sure Fox would feel a lot 
better and more comfortable around you than me."
"Really Mom?  Will you call the school and tell them?"
"Sure, honey," her mother picked up the phone and dialed the school.  
Dana went back upstairs to her room, where Fox had put on his jeans.
"Fox, I'm not going to school today; I'm staying home with you," Dana 
told him.
"Dana you don't have to do that for."
"Fox, don't you argue with me.  I'm staying home today whether you like 
it or not.  So you either enjoy my company or be stubborn," she said as 
she walked over to him.  She handed him the ice pack and he put it on 
his shoulder.
Downstairs, the rest of her family was just leaving for school.  Bill 
started walking and Mrs. Scully drove Charles and Melissa.
Dana led Fox downstairs for breakfast.  She found her mother's note on 
the table.
'Dana,
Went to bring Charles and Melissa to school.  There are pancakes in the 
fridge for you and Fox.
Love,
Mom'
"Fox, my mom left us pancakes for breakfast," Dana said, noticing how he 
brightened at that.  'Wow,' he thought, 'My mom never made me pancakes.' 
Dana took the pancakes out of the fridge and warmed them up.  She pulled 
out syrup, plates and silverware.  She set them on the table and 
motioned for Fox to sit.  She set the pancakes on the table, dishing out 
two for herself and four for Fox out of the six her mother had left.  He 
had started to protest but she shushed him saying,  "Fox, you need it 
more than me."  God, he was so thin.  It wasn't as if he was sickly and 
weak, he was strong and muscular, but he could afford to gain some more 
weight.  They ate their breakfast in silence, simply enjoying the 
other's company.
After breakfast, they went down to the den to talk.  At first, they 
talked about various everyday things, until Dana asked a question that 
had been weighing heavily on her mind.  "Fox," she hesitated, "Fox, um, 
I don't even know if I should ask this, but, um, what exactly happened 
to your sister?"  There, she had said it.
	Fox drew in a breath and began to look uncomfortable.  He fidgeted 
nervously, then smiled a tremulous smile at her.  "I guess I had to tell 
you sometime, " he said shakily.  He took a deep breath.  "OK, well Sam 
was always favored when we were little.  My dad has always been abusive, 
but never to Sam.  He loved her.  One night, when my parents were out, I 
was baby-sitting.  I was twelve and Sam was eight.  We were playing 
'Stratego' and watching television.  I news was on because I was waiting 
for a magician show to come on after it.  I won the game and Sam got a 
little annoyed.  She changed the channel to a movie she wanted to watch.  
We got into a fight over what to watch.  Then, suddenly, the power went 
out.  Everything started rattling and the whole house was shaking.  
Lights started flashing outside.  A door opened and I saw someone, or 
rather, something.  Then Sam screamed and was lifted up in the air by 
God knows what.  I tried to run to her, but I couldn't move.  I couldn't 
speak, I couldn't yell, all I could do was scream silently in my mind as 
my sister drifted out the window.  I don't remember anything after that.  
When I told my parents or anyone that, they wouldn't believe me, they 
said it was all in my mind.  But they didn't know what happened to her.  
I know it was real.  I wasn't dreaming because it was too real, too 
terrifying to be a dream.  I couldn't go to her.  Maybe if I fought a 
little harder, did something a little sooner, they wouldn't have taken 
her.  I wish I could have helped her.  I wish." he words died as he 
broke into tears.  Dana stared, astounded.  Then she quickly gained her 
bearings and pulled him to her.
"Oh, Fox, honey, it's OK," she murmured to him, trying to ease the 
tempest gusting in his heart.  Agony tore at him and caused him to try 
to bury himself in his Dana.  He always ran to her whenever the world 
became too much for him, when the burdens on his shoulders got too 
heavy.  He came to her whenever he was scared and hurt because she was 
his only comfort in the world, his only hope.  She was holding him so 
close to her that he was halfway on his lap.  They were chest to chest 
and each could feel the beating of the other's heart.  They each had 
their arms wrapped around each other and Dana's hands were wandering on 
Fox's back again.  Fox his was buried in Dana's soft neck and because 
her head was tilted towards his, her red hair spilled on his hair, 
hiding his hair from view.  She would occasionally reach a hand up from 
his back to run through his hair.  He heart ached for him.  They 
remained in their position for a full ten minutes, occasionally rocking 
back and forth.  Fox's tears slowed and stopped with help from Dana's 
encouraging words.  He sniffled and pulled back a little.  Her piercing 
blue eyes looked deeply into his warm, sad hazel eyes.  
Dana came to a sudden revelation and spoke, "I love you Fox.  I love you 
*so* much."  She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his.  She felt 
him startle and then relax, kissing her back.  It felt absolutely 
incredible.  His lips were tender and sweet as her soft mouth moved over 
them.  They pulled apart briefly and looked at each other.  Fox smiled, 
then tilted his head to the right to avoid a collision of their noses, 
and leaned in for another kiss.  This kiss was more passionate than the 
last.  As their mouths moved gently over each other, Dana's hands moved 
to place themselves strategically on his body, one moving to rest 
possessively on his thigh, rubbing softly, and the other moving to the 
back of his neck, threading her fingers though the short hair there.    
Fox's hands moved one to the small of her back caressing gently at her 
tiny body, and the other curved around her upper back.  While they 
kissed, Fox had eased off Dana's lap.  He then moved his hands briefly 
to lift her up and cradle her in his lap.  He then ran a hand through 
her red hair and opened his mouth slightly.  His tongue gently eased 
into her mouth.  They continued kissing passionately until they both 
pulled away, breathless.
"I love you, Dana, more than I have ever loved anyone before.  You're 
already so close to me, and now I hope we can get even closer," Fox said 
once he regained his breath.
"You mean, you actually want a relationship with me?  I'm a freshman, 
not many juniors are interested in freshman." all of Dana's doubts and 
fears returned.



"Dana," he said softly, putting a hand to her cheek to cup her face.  "I 
don't care about that.  If I did, I probably wouldn't have become a 
friend with you in the first place.  Now you're my best friend and I 
completely trust you with so many things I could never tell anyone else.  
I love you Dana, and I want a relationship with you.  I care about you 
in a way I've never felt before.  My life would be empty with out you."
Dana was touched by his words.  Her fears and doubts were eased by his 
emotions.  She trusted him, after all.  She could trust him with her 
heart.  "OK," she said softly.  He leaned in and gave her another quick 
kiss on the lips.  The chemistry between them was startling.  Then, a 
door closed and Mrs. Scully called, "Fox!  Dana!  I'm back!"
"In here Mom," Dana called.  She then turned to Fox and said, "I think 
we should tell her now."  He nodded.  They moved apart, but kept their 
normal closeness.  Mrs. Scully walked into the room.  She immediately 
sensed something was up.
"Mom, we have to talk to you," Dana said seriously.  Her mother sat down 
in the armchair close to the couch.  "Fox and I have decided to have, 
well, a closer relationship.as in a 'couple' kind of relationship.  Now, 
I know you're thinking it's not right for a fifteen-year-old and a 
seventeen-year-old to date, but Fox and I, well, we really care about 
each other.  I know you're probably wary about this, but don't you trust 
Fox's and my judgement?"  As they talked, they unobtrusively moved 
closer to each other, with Dana resting against Fox's chest.  He winced 
for a moment as he moved, and Dana quickly murmured a soft apology.  She 
had forgotten about his injuries.  She eased over to rest on his 
uninjured shoulder and slipped a hand under the bottom of his T-shirt to 
rub at the wound on his stomach.  Fox sighed and relaxed a little more.  
Her hand felt good on his stomach, nice and comforting.
Mrs. Scully surveyed the pair before her.  What Dana said seemed true 
and she trusted Fox with her daughter.  She knew they both would be 
absolutely heartbroken if she wasn't supportive of their relationship.  
She really had no reason not to be.  "Oh, Dana, Fox, that's wonderful.  
I'm fine with you two dating."  The pair grinned happily at each other.  
Mrs. Scully left the room, knowing that they probably wanted to talk.and 
do other things.  She admonished herself for having that thought.  She 
knew Fox and her daughter well enough to know that they wouldn't do 
anything extreme.  A little kissing and affection never hurt anyone.
Once Dan's mother left the room, they both wrapped their arms around 
each other ecstatic that she had approved of their seeing each other.  
They kissed each other happily, regaining their more personal closeness.  
Dana's hands this time ran to his stomach, and slipped under Fox's 
T-shirt again.  She hitched it up to chest level and then pulled it over 
his arms, forcing Fox to draw his hands over from her body for a moment.  
Dana stared for a moment at his muscled chest before resuming their 
kissing.  Dana ran her hands all over his chest and back, being careful 
to avoid his injuries.  She playfully nipped at his lower lip.  He 
pulled back and mocked a glare at her.  She pretended to look hurt and 
he placed a hand underneath her chin and tilted her head up to look at 
him.  He just stared deeply into her eyes as if he could do it for 
hours.  Instead they just hugged.  Dana got up, handed him his shirt 
from the floor, helped him put it back on, taking care to run her hands 
over his body as she went, and then sat down on his lap.  She sighed 
happily, and contentedly settled in his arms to watch television.
After about an hour, Dana moved restlessly in Fox's arms and stretched 
her cramped muscles.  Fox, beginning to feel insecure, instantly 
loosened his grip on her and withdrew himself slightly.  Dana cursed him 
for being so presumptuous.  He was withdrawing behind his barriers as 
usual.  She wanted to reassure him, so she turned in his arms and rested 
her head against him chest, listening to his heart.  Fox immediately 
softened to her.  He moved his arms back around her and stroked her 
back, long and slow.  For her own part, Dana threaded her fingers in his 
soft hair.  She ran her hands through it, then kissed his left temple 
lightly.  She moved her kisses from his temple to his face.  She kissed 
him everywhere but his lips.  She placed soft pecks on his forehead and 
brow, on his cheeks, his slightly protruding chin and even on his 
slightly oversized nose.  She rubbed her cheek against his, nuzzling him 
lightly.  She then pulled his shirtsleeve down slightly so that she 
could kiss his swollen shoulder.  She tenderly placed her soft lips on 
the rosy, bruised flesh.  She fought a battle inside herself over the 
abuse her Fox faced.  She wondered how anyone could hurt such a kind 
gentle soul.  What possessed his father to hit him?  How could he 
possibly beat him when those pain-filled hazel eyes were probably gazing 
at him?  How could anyone possibly be so violent as to beat his own son?
Fox cringed as his father undid his own belt them moved to undo Fox's.  
He pulled his pants and boxers down, exposing his rear.  He was suddenly 
shoved face down on the bed, his head shoved into a pillow, his father 
holding his hands roughly above his head while he took the buckle end of 
his belt down on Fox's smooth flesh.  The pillow that his face was so 
roughly held in muffled Fox's soft cries.  He was sore by now and 
probably very red.  As his father continued to abuse him, he tried to 
let his mind drift, so he wouldn't have to concentrate on the pain.  He 
was trying to disappear inside of himself.  He focused on Dana.  All he 
wanted to do at this point in time was have her wrap her arms around him 
so that he could feel safe.  He was brought out of his thoughts 
momentarily to wince in pain.  He then went back to thinking about her.  
God, she was so beautiful.  She was so strong; she was his strength.  
She wanted to cuddle up in her arms and never let go.  He winced again 
and shifted his head slightly on his pillow, but his father didn't 
notice, for he was too busy striking him again and again.  As his blows 
lessened and then finally ceased all Fox could think about was how 
quickly he could get to Dana.  His father then left the room, slamming 
the door behind him.  Fox gingerly pulled his arms down to his sides and 
carefully pulled his pants up.  He crept over to the door and opened it.  
He could hear his father in his parents' room and decided now was the 
best time to leave.  He crept downstairs and out the front door, placing 
his key in his pocket after locking the door behind him.  He ran the 
half-mile to Dana's house without a coat or shoes.  The cold 
mid-December air was biting.  All he could think about was getting to 
her.  They had been dating for about a month and a half and everything 
was going wonderful.  They had grown even closer, while their friendship 
was still there.  Everyone told them they looked so cute together.  Fox 
had to agree at that.  It was kind of cute that he was so much taller 
than Dana was.  It worked out nicely because she was the perfect height 
to rest her head comfortably on his chest.  It was kind of difficult to 
kiss her sometimes, but he didn't mind, he thought his Dana was 
adorable.  He continued running, mindless of his cold feet, because all 
he could think about was getting to her.  It had been a long time since 
he had to go to her after one of his father's beating.  He always felt 
like he was imposing, causing too much of a hassle for her.  This time, 
he didn't even think of that.  He all could think about was being in her 
arms and having her comfort him.
He was panting now as he reached her door.  He knocked twice and waited.  
Inside, Dana was sitting at the desk in the living room.  A small light 
burned brightly.  As she heard the knock at the door, she sighed; 
annoyed that she had been interrupted.  She was working on the last of 
her homework while the rest of her family was upstairs or out at a 
friend's house.  They should all be home soon, so Dana naturally assumed 
that it was either Bill or Charlie wanting to get back in the house.  
She rose from the desk with a grim expression on her face.  She switched 
on the porch light and opened the door.  "What?" she asked coldly, 
thinking that one of her brothers had forgotten the house key.  She 
regretted her cold tone of voice when the figure on the porch stepped 
into the light.  It was not Bill or Charlie, but a very hurt looking 
Fox.  His expression told her that he thought her grim words were out of 
annoyance for bothering him.  His expression then immediately withdrew 
and was replaced with an embarrassed mask.  He fidgeted with his hands 
and apologized, "Sorry, Dana, I, I didn't mean to bother you.  I'll just 
go and see you tomorrow."  He turned to leave and she grabbed him by the 
arm.  She had heard the tremble in his voice and felt guilty.  It had 
been a while since he had rushed over to see her so late at night, so 
she knew something must have happened.
"No, Fox, come on in," she said in a worried tone.
Fox mistook her tone as one of annoyance, rather than one of worry.  
"No, it's OK, I didn't mean to bother you," he said with a catch in his 
voice.  He wanted so badly to be comforted.  He didn't want to be a 
bother to her, though.  He could always see her tomorrow.  He was 
hurting, though, and there was nothing he wanted more to be with her and 
feel safe and comforted.  Her look and voice on the porch had been cold, 
something he wasn't used to receiving from her, and it hurt him more 
than his father's lashes.  Dana was insistent with her hand on his arm 
and she led him inside and down to the den.  He was shivering and she 
then noticed he was wearing no shoes or coat.  She sat down with him on 
the couch and wrapped an arm around him.  He was tense and she knew he 
was still feeling uncomfortable.  There was still so much hurt and 
betrayal in his life that caused him to find it hard to trust people, 
even Dana.  After her little attitude on the porch, he was withdrawing 
himself behind his walls.  The attitude wasn't even meant for him.  Her 
hand was now rubbing his back, drawing him closer to her, wanting him to 
relax and open up to her.  He was beginning to feel good now, comforted, 
like he wanted.  She placed a kiss on his cheek softly.  He was shifting 
in his seat uncomfortably now, and she looked at him.  He was wincing 
slightly.  'Uh oh,' she thought, 'If it hurts him to sit.'  "Fox?" she 
asked.  "Want to tell me what happened?"  He had gotten up from the 
couch and was now standing.  He looked down at the floor and fidgeted 
nervously.  "My dad hit me," he said softly, "Hard," he continued, still 
looking at the floor.  "I'm sorry for coming and bothering you.  I know 
it's a hassle, but, but, but I needed you.  He hit me and all I could 
think about was you, how I wanted to be with you."  He blurted out his 
feelings, for once not thinking about the emotional advantage it gave 
her over him, "You make me feel so safe, like nothing can hurt me.  And 
when my dad hurts me, all I want to do is be in your arms," he sniffled, 
"Because, 'cause nothing can hurt me then.  Because I always feel 
better, and because, because it hurt a lot Dana!  I just wanted to be 
near you instead of where I was.  My dad forced me on the bed and pulled 
down my pants, and I got really scared."  Dana was in inner turmoil 
while he was saying this.  'Oh my God,' she thought, 'Did he rape him?'  
She was so scared for him.  He continued, "But nothing that bad 
happened.  He took off his belt and I was so scared, but all he did was 
hit me with it.  I wanted to be with you so bad because you help me, me 
get away from the hurt.  Nothing bad happens when I'm with you, 
nothing."  He finished rambling and kept his eyes on the floor.  She 
went over to him and put her arms around him, offering the opportunity 
to cry, to get the pain out of his system.  He complied, bending his 
neck so he could rest his head on her shoulder.  She had never seen him 
this upset before.  He was almost wailing he was so upset.  She hugged 
him tight and rocked him back and forth.  He tried to make him feel safe 
and protected, just as he had said.  She laid him down on the couch on 
his stomach, but continued to embrace his upper body by sitting under 
it.  His body felt cold and she tried to will some of her warm into him.  
She held his head to heart chest and he listened to her heartbeat, 
steady and sure.  It was her heartbeat that lulled him into a more 
relaxed state.  She wanted to look at his wounds, but wasn't sure they'd 
both be comfortable with that.  Both of them were against having sex 
before marriage, but there were other things to do.  They hadn't done 
many of those things, hadn't been very far, so she wasn't sure he'd be 
that comfortable with her looking at his butt.  She pushed that thought 
away for now, he needed comfort more at the moment.  She moved their 
position so that they were eye to eye.  She leaned forward and kissed 
him gently on the lips.  He kissed her back for a moment then pulled 
away.  He rubbed his cheek against hers.  He then buried his face in her 
neck.  She lightly kissed his neck.  He was still crying.  She didn't 
know what else to do for him.  She suddenly had an idea and began to 
whisper comfortingly to him.  "It's OK, Fox.  Everything's OK.  I'm here 
with you and nothing can hurt you.  Nothing at all can hurt you, not 
even your dad.  I love you, Fox.  You hear me?  I love you.  I'm not 
going to let anything happen to you.  You're going to stay here with me 
and nothing can happen to you.  Everything's fine, everything's fine.  
It's OK, just relax.  You can stay with me," she continued cooing to 
him.  It did work though because he relaxed a little.  She rubbed his 
back and his tears eased.  He pulled away to look at her.  He looked 
adorable, though miserable.  He was sniffling and his eyes were red and 
watery.  There were tears tracks covering his face.  His face was wet 
and his cheeks were red.  His hair was messy.  "Come on," she said.  She 
led him upstairs to her bedroom.
Once they were in her room, she told him to take a shower, that it would 
make him feel better.  She pulled out his sweat pants and T-shirt that 
he had left here.  She went to the hall closet and took out a big towel.  
She handed him the towel and led him to her bathroom.  She left the 
bathroom and told him to towel off when he was finished and come back 
into her room because she wanted to see how bad his cuts were.  She 
flushed a little as she said it, turning her cheeks pink.  Once she had 
left, Fox stripped off his clothing.  He got in the shower and turned on 
the hot water.  It felt really good after being outside in the cold.  He 
found an extra washcloth and soaped it up, then ran it over his body.  
He stood under the warm spray of water, washing off the excess soap.  He 
then turned the tap off and stepped out of the shower.  As he toweled 
off his hair and body, he realized that the hot water had helped and he 
felt a lot better.  He wrapped the towel around his waist and went back 
into Dana's bedroom.  She put an arm around him and laid him face down 
on the couch.  She cleared her throat nervously, "I'm just going to 
check out your cuts and put some lotion on them, OK?"
His cheeks flushed pink and he answered, "'K."  She loosened the towel 
around his waist and lowered it to thigh level.  'God, he has a gorgeous 
ass,' she thought.  That was before she took in all the cuts and bruises 
on his muscled skin.  She could clearly see the imprint of the buckle of 
a belt on him.  The cuts weren't *that* bad, but they looked very 
painful.  The skin was red and inflamed.  He was obviously sore.  She 
started tentatively rubbing Neosporin on his cuts.
Fox was laying face down on the couch.  He was thankful for the pillow 
covering his face, for it masked his blush.  He was a little 
uncomfortable with her touching him, but it was OK.  It was making him 
feel better and he trusted her.  It was also arousing to have her hands 
so delicately touch him where no girl had before, what with everyone 
thinking he was weird and never dating him.  This was definitely new 
territory.  Dana quickly finished rubbing the lotion on and wrapped the 
towel around his waist.  She handed him the sweatpants and T-shirt and 
told him to go get dressed.
Fox went back into the bathroom and dropped the towel that hung around 
his waist.  He looked down at the sign of his obvious arousal and tried 
to will it away.  He sighed and pulled on the pants and shirt.  He shut 
the light off in the bathroom and walked back into her bedroom.  Dana 
had changed in shorts and a T-shirt and had laid out a pillow and a 
comforter for Fox.  He walked over to the couch to stand next to her.  
The only light in the room came from the moon through the window and the 
small lamp burning next to the couch.  He was tense as he went to sit on 
the couch and then relaxed when sitting didn't hurt anymore, the cream 
had helped.  Dana sat next to Fox on the couch.  "Feeling better?" she 
asked her best friend and boyfriend.
"Yeah," he said, "Much better.  Thanks."  He reached over to hold her 
hand in his.  She looked up at him and smiled.  She switched off the 
light near the sofa.  Darkness engulfed the room before their eyes 
adjusted to the soft moonlight streaming in through the windows.  Dana 
withdrew her hand from Fox's and drew the covers over them, planning to 
stay and talk to him for a while, knowing that that was what he wanted.  
She put her arms around him and snuggled up to him.  He lightly nuzzled 
her head with his cheek.  He wrapped his arms around her as she turned 
to move even closer to him.  She lifted her head from under his chin and 
placed a kiss on his lips.  They gave each other several light kisses 
before Fox deepened them.  They kissed passionately, while Dana gently 
cupped his cheek.  He ran a hand through her hair and then down her 
back.  He slipped a gentle hand under her shirt to softly rub her back, 
knowing that she liked it.  Dana moved one of her hands from his waist 
to creep up under his shirt so it could rest on his heart.  Her other 
hand moved to the back of his neck, playing in the soft hair she found 
there.  They pulled apart and then just embraced.  After a few minutes, 
Dana pulled away.  Fox made a small noise of protest.  "Fox," she 
started, "You know I can't stay here with you.  You have to sleep.  I'd 
like to stay and sleep next to you, but I don't think that would give 
such a great impression to my mother.  Sorry."
He pouted slightly.  "OK," he said.  He lay back on the couch.  Dana 
pulled the covers snuggly over him and then leaned down to kiss him 
tenderly on the lips.  It was a short, sweet good night kiss.  She 
pulled back and ran an affectionate hand through his still damp hair.  
"I love you," she said.  "Sweet dreams."
"Night, Dana.  I love you, too." He sleepily replied.
Dana crawled back into her bed and fell asleep.
One week later it was the 22nd of December.  It was a Friday and it was 
their last day of school before Christmas break.  Dana found Fox waiting 
outside for her.  "Hey," she said as she leaned over and kissed him 
hello.  He hugged her and kissed her softly on the cheek.  They pulled 
apart and grasped each other's hand.  They started walking towards 
Dana's house.  Fox looked over at her.  She looked so adorable with her 
cheeks rosy from the cold and the dark blue hat on her head, mussing her 
red hair.  He smiled at her.  She looked so small inside her heavy coat.  
He withdrew his hand from hers and instead wrapped it around her 
shoulders, hugging her to his side.  She wrapped an arm around his waist 
and lay her head against his shoulder.
"Fox," she asked, "What are you doing for Christmas?"
"I don't know," he replied, "My parents are going away on a cruise, so I 
can do anything I guess."
"Oh, Fox, they were going to leave you home for Christmas?  Oh, come 
here," she said, stopping their walking momentarily to give him a hug 
and a kiss on the cheek.  "Well, it actually works out nicely, though.  
My mother wanted to know if you'd want to spend Christmas with us."
He looked at her in surprise, "Really?  Wow, that would be, that would 
be really great!"  He suddenly looked excited.  They walked in her from 
door.  They found Mrs. Scully in the kitchen and the three of them 
worked out the plans for Fox to stay over in the guestroom Christmas 
Eve, and then spend Christmas Day with them.  Fox glowed over all the 
attention.  Dana watched him.  He seemed so happy.  She could only 
wonder what he would be like if he had a loving family like she had.  
She wondered what he would be like if his sister never disappeared.  But 
she would never know.  Those factors were a major part of who he was and 
of his personality.  Some of those things made him the sensitive 
creature he was, the one the craved love and affection.
Mrs. Scully watched the pair in front of her as they spoke.  They always 
knew exactly where the other was.  Through out their conversation they 
would look at each other and smile.  They were always touching each 
other, too.  Sometimes with Dana it was just a discreet touch, a hand on 
the arm, a quick squeeze of a hand, or her reaching out to smooth a 
piece of his clothing.  Other times they would be more obvious.  She 
smiled as she saw Dana watching Fox lovingly.  She watched her come up 
and hug him from the side.  Fox stopped talking to Mrs. Scully briefly 
to put his arms around Dana and kiss her forehead.  Mrs. Scully smiled 
lovingly at the pair in front of her once they had finished discussing 
their holiday plans.  She left the kitchen.
Fox was lightly stroking Dana's hair, while his other hand stroked her 
side.  She looked up at him and tilted her chin up to give him a kiss.  
The kiss they shared was slow and gentle.  They were lightly lingering 
over each other's mouths when they heard a whistle.  They pulled apart 
and looked over at Bill, who was grinning at them.  "It's getting a 
little hot in here, don't you think?" he teased.  Dana swatted him with 
a nearby dishtowel.  Bill grinned and went up to his room.
It was Christmas Eve.  The Scully family was scattered through out the 
house.  Besides Mrs. Scully, Mr. Scully, Bill, Charlie, Melissa and 
Dana, their grandparents were there.  Their grandparents weren't 
spending the night though, they were staying at a hotel and then coming 
back the next day with the majority of the Scully family.  Dana was 
sitting on the couch in the living room, talking with her grandpa about 
Fox, waiting for him to come over.  Dana was anxious, what was taking 
him so long?  The doorbell rang.  Dana jumped to answer it.
Dana yanked open the door to find Fox on the porch.  He smiled 
sheepishly at her, "Sorry I'm late."
"It's OK," she said, pulling him inside and hugging him.  He drew in a 
breath lightly and she knew what was wrong.  She rubbed a stop on his 
back and he nodded.  They pulled apart.
"Grandpa," Dana said, walking towards her grandfather, leading Fox by 
the hand.  "This is Fox."
Her grandfather looked at the tall young man standing next to his 
granddaughter.  "So you're the man that's captured my granddaughter's 
heart, eh?"
Fox smiled, "Yeah, I guess," he said softly.
Dana's grandpa smiled at them, "Well, good luck you two."
"Thanks," Fox said.
Dana's grandpa left to go talk to his wife and Mrs. Scully, his 
daughter.  Dana took Fox by the hand and led him into the empty kitchen.  
Once they were inside, she turned him around and pulled his shirt out of 
his trouser pants.  She examined the wound.  It didn't look too bad.  
She merely washed it and dab some peroxide on it.  Dana then tucked him 
shirt back into his pants.  Fox turned and hugged her.  "Thanks," he 
said, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
Fox stayed next to Dana the whole night because he felt a little out of 
place.  He was a little nervous when he was introduced to her father, 
whom she had never met before, but everything was fine.  He seemed to 
approve of Fox.
After dinner, everyone scattered through out the house again.  Fox and 
Dana went down to the den to exchange gifts.  They sat side by side on 
the couch.  Dana handed Fox her gift first.  He grinned after he pulled 
off the paper.  She had gotten him a New York Knicks T-shirt and a book 
on UFOs and alien encounters.  He hugged her tightly and pulled her onto 
his lap.  He then gave her his gift.  She carefully opened the paper, 
unlike Fox, who had just ripped it off.  She opened a box and inside was 
a beautiful anklet with a note on top of it.  She turned to thank him 
but he shushed her and told her to just read the note.  She opened it up 
and read, happy tears filling her eyes.

Dearest Dana,
I can't find the words to tell you how happy I am.  Everything about you 
makes me feel good inside.  I have something to look forward to 
everyday.  I look forward to seeing you, and being around you.  You're 
my comfort, my strength, my love.  I couldn't survive without you.  I 
need you, and I love you.  I always will.  I can trust you with anything 
in the world, especially my heart.  So I'm giving you my love, forever.
Love Always,
Fox