They both sat in silence then, neither of them knowing what else to say, both of them taking turns petting Buddy, who had taken his place on the floor in between their feet. "I'm sorry about your mom, Scully," he finally said. "And I'm sorry I had to tell you about her the way I did before. I know it's not what you wanted or needed to hear right now." "But I did need to hear it, Mulder," she said as she continued to brush her palm over Buddy's head. ------------------ Part Twenty-Three of Among the Living is now available at my site. http://possibilities.bravehost.com/AmongtheLiving.html Susan touchstone98@tx.rr.com