Rating: PG

Summary: Jo makes a proposition.

Spoilers: Nope.
 

"Capitol, parts East. Lone young man takes a seat..."

"The Big Parade" by J. Augustyniak and N. Merchant. Copyright 1989 by Christian Burial Music. Used without permission.
 

Sanctum Sanctorum
 

February 5, 2000

"Jo, he's awake."

She frowned. "He's been having moments of wakefulness."

"No, Jo, this time, he knew we were there. And he didn't lapse back into a coma-he just fell asleep."

"That's terrific news, Allison. I'll tell you quite honestly, the first time I saw him the other day, I figured him for gone, or at least in a permanently vegetative state. Prolonged fever and unconsciousness can do that, you know.   But this is wonderful to hear."

"And Frohike wasn't there to see it." I felt saddened that the experience was somehow less than complete without his presence.

"I'm telling you, Allison, let it ride. He'll be back. He's been through a tremendous amount of stress, and he's got high blood pressure, you know-"

"No, I didn't. He never said."

"Well, he didn't say it to me, either, but being a former nurse, I detected the array of medications he's been put on when I was at his home. This is a survival mechanism, Allison."

"Y'know, you can call me Ally, everybody else does these days."

"Ally. It suits you."

"Guess so." I didn't tell her that it was my way of separating friend from acquaintance, but I think she understood. "Frohike and Michael are about the only people who don't use it."

"I think that's Melvin's way of showing respect for you, as the wife-to-be of a very dear friend." God, it sounded weird to hear Frohike referred to as Melvin. "And Michael? Michael just isn't comfortable anywhere in his world."

"He's comfortable enough to consume vast quantities of beer and make illicit phone calls for no small chunk of change." I looked up sadly at Jo, whose face remained strikingly impassive.

"I promised you daughter I wouldn't do this," she began levelly, "but she and I had a long talk tonight. She in fact just went downstairs when she heard your car.

"Shelby had gone to bed-classic depression, she's shutting down and sleeping an excessive amount. Miranda came upstairs and sat with me, watching some horrible situation comedy, and she then asked if she could ask me something. I said, yes."

"Oh, Jesus." I buried my head in my hands.

"Ally, she's having a very hard time. I know you think she's a marvelous child, and she is. And she's doing very well in spite of all that's happened in her life. But she is under terrible stress, dealing with her best friend's tragedies, your illness, Langly's illness, and with Michael."

"I know she doesn't like Michael."

"No, that's not it at all. She really does not dislike him. But she's suffering from overcrowding, and it's taking a toll on her. She needs space, Ally."

"I'd give it to her if I could. Langly wants to talk to my mother about lending us some money to expand on the house."

"No, I don't think that's a good solution. Granted, you'd have more space, and this is none of my business, but you and your intended were out of work for a significant amount of time this winter, and you have enormous expenses." I looked up and I must have had a very pissed-off look on my face; she held her hand up in a truce gesture. "Your daughter knows this. How could she not? She hears you and Langly talking, and arguing about it, apparently-"

"I do get annoyed when he taps my mother without my consent."

"All right, but that's neither here nor there at this point. It's worrying her. I have a proposal for you."

"I'm listening."

"I have a condo with two master suites, and since I live by myself, I naturally only use one of them. I have adequate room for another person. And I'd like to help Melvin out at this time."

"I think you already help him a lot."

"We help each other. We're friends." She laughed. "And it's not what you think. We are friends, not...intimates." She blushed a bit, good Catholic girl that she was. "Melvin's place is very small, and financially, I don't think he can afford to move to a larger one. And I wouldn't recommend it for him at this point. He's still feeling pretty fragile, Ally."

"You wouldn't know it. And we all lean on him."

"And he knows it, and he is grateful that you do...but it's getting a bit much for him. I think he and Michael need more time to solidify their relationship without living under the same roof. 17 years is a long time to be separated. They're not going to be a smooth-functioning father-son team overnight.

"You and your intended have a house that is spacious enough for the three of you, and maybe for one other person. But you don't have space enough in your lives for the issues that Michael is dealing with. This is not a criticism, Ally, and believe me, I know how sensitive you are to being criticized. I've seen you. A criticism is like a small death for your soul. Isn't it?" I felt my face burning. God, I was so damn obvious. "You've taken on a lot. You're a good person. But it's time for you to get
some of your priorities in order. Michael is not your priority right now, nor should he be. You have a daughter who needs you, and another teenager who desperately needs a great deal of support."

"I'm trying." Not succeeding very well, I added silently.

"I know you are. And I'm not sure I'd do as well in the same situation. Let me tell you something, and don't take this the wrong way."

"All right."

"When I met you, I hired you strictly on qualifications and Andy's recommendation. You didn't seem to possess a lot of backbone, though, and it concerned me, because this can be a tough job on the front lines. But I read through your CV, and it seemed as if you'd done a lot, and I said, she can obviously do the job. You struck me as actually being a little bit spoiled, Ally."

"I'm not a little spoiled. I'm very spoiled."

"I don't think so. You just seemed so...so quiet, so unwilling to speak for yourself. And I'm happy to say that you've proven me wrong."

"Oh."

"Paul and Iris adore you. You're always an advocate for them. And when I began to learn of some of your personal situations, I was impressed, because you are there every day, and you do your job well. Melvin thinks you're a lovely person, by the way. His words."

"That's nice to know." I blushed. "Y'know, I feel really bad about this...Langly and I were going to tell Frohike tonight that Michael had to move out. I like him, Jo. I honestly do. But he's surly and difficult and he and Langly butt heads constantly. And he and Miranda haven't been getting along. And I have a hard time with that."

"Then do you agree to what I've proposed?"

"I agree to it just fine, and I suspect Langly will as well. I don't know about Michael. It's him at the center of this little storm."

"I'll talk to him. And one thing I think I can provide Michael, which he desperately needs in his life, is structure. You and Langly have two of the best hearts I've ever known, but your life tends to be, shall we say, chaotic? You need less chaos, and so does Michael."

"You talked to Frohike about this?"

"I intend to."

"What if he objects?"

"Then I'll make my arguments as best I can." She didn't seem unnerved at the prospect, but with Jo, you never can tell.

"What if Michael objects?"

"I'll deal with him as well."

We sat in momentary silence. "I wish Langly'd call. He's out looking for Frohike."

She shook her head. "If he calls, when he calls, tell him to come home. Melvin is fine."

"You're sure of that."

"I'm quite certain I know where he is."

"Well, when Langly calls, I'll tell him."

"No." Jo shook her head, hard. "I'm telling you, leave him be. He needs this time. Try to understand."

"I'm not the one having trouble understanding. It's Michael."

"Michael doesn't have all the facts. He needs to learn a few."

"In the meantime, he feels deserted. Again. And he has been."

"No." Jo was firm on this. "This is one of the things I need to talk about with Michael. I know that Melvin won't, but I will. He'll understand eventually." She grabbed her purse and her coat. "And now, it's time for you to have that bubble bath. See you in the morning."

"Thank you, Jo. For everything."

"You're always welcome. And I mean that."
 

I did take Jo's advice and sank myself into a huge tub of vanilla-scented bubbles. And grabbed a Dos Equis-for medicinal purposes, I assured myself.

It was 11:30 and I still hadn't heard from Langly. I'd taken the cordless in the bathroom with me in case it rang, which of course it did as soon as I was getting comfortable.

"Where are you?" I demanded.

"Well, I checked out all the places I figure'd he'd be. No dice."

"Meaning you checked all the taverns in the area."

"Yeah, pretty much. Nobody's seen him."

"Well, babe, I think you ought to come home."

"Well, in case you don't remember, I'm carless. I was kinda hoping to get home with Frohike. Which doesn't look like it's gonna happen."

"You've got half an hour till the Metro stops."

"Yeah, but I need you to come and get me. Don't feel like walking anymore." And it was two and a half miles from the house.

"Okay. Call me when you get to Alexandria and I'll grab you. I'm getting worried, Langly."

"Yeah. Anyway, I gotta catch a train if I'm gonna get back. See ya."
 

Langly made the second-to-last train to Alexandria and called me about forty minutes later. I was going to be in great shape for my 8:30, I thought ruefully.

"Fucking freezing out there," he moaned as he got into the Neon. He bent over and kissed me-how did this guy manage to have warm lips in the bitter cold? I held on to that kiss for a moment and didn't want to let go.

"I'd like to continue this, in a warmer location," he smiled. "Home, James."
 

We were snuggled in bed, but not asleep. Langly was warmer now, and I suspect if he hadn't been concerned for his two friends, he'd have fallen into a rapid slumber with the ease and comfort of a small child.

"Where d'ya think he went?" I asked Langly.

He had his arms wrapped around me and had my head on his chest. "If I had a clue, I'd probably've found him."

"I just hope nothing happened to him." I shuddered at the thought. Now I felt cold.

"Well, Frohike, he knows his way around. I mean, yeah..." He didn't want to complete that thought.

"Jo offered to take Michael off our hands."

"Did she now?"

"Pending approval from Frohike and Michael."

"Decent of her. Did she take him?"

"No, he went straight to bed. I think he drank a few beers and passed out is more like it."

"I dunno. I mean, I hate to do it, but-"

"Langly, you and he argue constantly. I think you're jealous."

"Am not."

"We've had this discussion before. You are, too."

"And you'd know."

"I would. I grew up with a brilliant brother who's only 18 months younger than me, whom everyone said was my parents' golden child, who should have come first-yeah, I know from jealous, babe. And it's all over you like a hangover after a long night."

"At least I don't barf in bed, like some people we know."

"Yeah, you do have your redeeming qualities. You going to see Byers tomorrow at lunch?"

"Oh, yeah. Any calls about him?"

"No. Must've been no change. We hope."

"Yeah. We keep hoping. Seems to take up a lot of time and energy lately. Hoping." I concurred silently by burrowing down further into him.

"Beats despairing."

"Yeah."
 

I managed five minutes of conversation with Miranda before school to enlighten her on Jo's proposition. She didn't say much, but I could sense something in her relax. Maybe she'd have a better day.

Still not a word from Frohike. My anxiety level was climbing, Jo's reassurances to the contrary. I suspected that if Langly wasn't so far in the hole on absenteeism, he'd have taken the day and looked for him, but he was already behind at work. He checked the office phones. Nothing.

"He'll turn up," I assured him with more confidence than I really felt.

"He better. I'm tired of this." Langly had not slept well, and a tired Langly is a crabby Langly.

He was critically tired.

"Go to work. Do what you need to. I think that's all we can do right now."

"Guess I better, if I'm gonna keep this job." He was grumbling as he left, but at least he remembered to kiss me goodbye.
 

I hate pagers. I have a philosophical aversion to being tracked like a satellite.

However, Jo insists that everyone on her staff who is a classroom worker carry one. Mine rarely goes off; it was mostly an unnecessary nuisance for me.

I was packing up my gear, ready to call it a day, when I received a page. Only the phone number was my home phone. I was puzzled. The kids didn't have my pager number. What the fuck? I nervously dialed back on the cell.

"Ally, it's Jo."

"You're at my house."

"Yes. I took the day off. I spent it with Michael."

"Is he there with you?"

"Well, he's here, but he went downstairs."

"Girls home?"

"Yes, they're here. Do you need to talk to them?"

"No, just tell 'em I'll be home soon. Any messages from Frohike?"

"No, not on the phone since I've been here. I don't know how to get into your voice mail, so I don't know if you have any there."

"Was there a staggered dial tone when you picked up?"

"No, there wasn't."

"Then we don't have any."

"I did see him, Ally. He's fine."

"You saw him. What'd he say?"

"I didn't speak with him. I just saw him in the distance. I don't think Michael did, though."

"Where'd you find him?"

"At The Wall."

"The Wall."

"The Vietnam War Memorial Wall. The black wall."

"Right."

"I thought it was time Michael went. And I was pretty sure that's where Melvin would be."

"How'd you know?"

"I go there myself when I need to, Ally."

"What for?"

"To remind myself to be grateful I'm not dead, Ally."
 

Jo offered to stay with the girls and Michael, and I accepted so that I could see Byers.

He was conscious, thank God, but still very feverish and somewhat delirious.

"He keeps saying sorry to Susanne," Kat shook her head sadly. "He keeps looking for his wedding ring. And then he keeps saying he's sorry to Juliet."

"Does he recognize you?"

"He does. He's had some lucid moments. He can't talk very well, but he did ask me how I was and what time it was."

"That sounds more like your brother."

"He's not really awake, is he?"

"Halfway there, halfway not. When he's lucid, I explain to him that Susanne is not here, and he seems to understand, but then he gets more feverish and he forgets."

"This is not the most fun you've ever had with your clothes on," I sighed.

"Definitely not." She got up, grabbed a washcloth, and gently mopped her brother's flamingly feverish countenance. "It's okay, John. It's all right. Go to sleep, big brother."

He may not have grabbed the impact of her words, but her tone seemed to soothe him, and he settled a bit. Fever was 102.5 on the readout.

"He's cooler."

"Yeah, but real problems getting BP to stabilize, and he's had some heart arrhythmia." She buried her face in her hands-long, graceful hands that her brother possessed, minus some of the freckles. "Ally, I don't know how much longer I can take this."

"I think we're all feeling like that. You probably more than the rest of us."

"What I wouldn't give for a normal night. Even better, for a girls' night out. I could use a serious girls' night out."

I contemplated this. "Tell you what. When Langly gets here, we'll let him do some babysitting, and we'll have some decent food and a whole lot of liquor. Whaddya say?"

"You're serious." She blinked at me. "You'd do this."

"Kat, like it'd be a real hardship for me to go and get liquored up! Not!" I laughed.

"Some real food sounds wonderful. What do you suggest? I don't live around here, so I don't know."

"Well, I don't live around here, either, I only know restaurants around Alexandria. Only things I know in DC are all the greasy spoons near the J Edgar Building."

"Any good places in Alexandria?"

"We've got this Italian place we go to a lot, and it's to die for, but they only have beer and wine, and I don't know about you, but I could go for some serious tequila drinking tonight."

"How about Mexican, then?"

"I'll tell ya, one thing I really miss about living in LA is the lack of real Mexican places. We've got El Torito, which is decent, and they do make great margaritas, but I miss being able to go to all the old holes in the wall we used to visit, where'd you just get these monstrous quantities of food and cheap tasty maggies."

"I'm up for it if you are."

"Cool. We'll wait for Langly to get here, and then we'll bail."

"He may not be real happy about that."

"He'll survive for a couple of hours."

"Ally, you're already in that married mindset," Kat laughed.

I looked at her, and I think I looked a bit sad and old. "Tell you, Kat. I've lived in this area 15 months. I've been with Langly for 8. I've been engaged to him for 6. And already I feel more married than some people do after 30 years."

"Did you ever see 'Raiders of the Lost Ark''?"

"I love that movie. Only about 20 times."

"There's a great line in it-"

"Yeah, goes like, 'it's not the years, it's the mileage.'"

We'd certainly earned some serious mileage lately.

END OF PART 64