Title: Untitled [TBA]

Title: Untitled [TBA]

Author: §arah

Summary: After meeting and falling in love on assignment, Byers takes his three friends Langly, Frohike, and Jimmy on a trip of romance, humor, action, and a lot of computer hacking.

Synopsis: Langly, Byers, and Frohike are on assignment in Northern California, while Jimmy waits for their completion in a near by hospital on duty, feigning to be in need of medical assistance in order to gather more information. [Yes, I realize this seems slightly similar to an episode of the series but it's what inspired me in the first place so, just play along]

Rating: PG for language

Date: 5-12-2001

Prologue: In the beginning

Big Bear California- 5:15 p.m.: Northwest Ski Resort

"H-h-how l-l-l-long d-do w-we h-h-h-hafta s-s-s-stay h-h-h-here….a-a-again?" Langly's jaw chatted while he spoke. He sat accompanied by Byers and Frohike, his arms tightly crossed over his chest. White puffs of condensation flew from his mouth with his every word. Frohike rolled his eyes and Langly's lame demeanor.

"Four more days. We only have four days." Byers shifted his chin from one hand to the other. Frohike and Langly looked at him strangely. He had been this way all day long. Distant. Unfocussed. Isolated. Very unlike himself.

"Something wrong there buddy?" Frohike patted his shoulder roughly, like a father would to a son. Byers gave a sideways glance.

"W-What's he g-got to w-worry a-about? H-He's g-got t-t-two pairs-s o-of m-mittens! W-why d-d-didn't th-they ju-just g-give us a r-room w-with a h-heater?" Langly asked stubbornly.

"Because! Where's not millionaires! And we only have so much saved up for emergency trips across the country." Frohike replied.

A small ring came from the control panel that they had set up in their hotel room, indicating an incoming call. Frohike glared at the other two. "I'll get that…" he reached out.

"Fine by me…" Byers sighed.

"Guys?" A familiar voice came through the speakers.

"Jimmy! How are you holding up over there? I hope you're getting more done that us!" Frohike spoke.

"Yeah! Jimmy laughed. "Then nice lady came earlier today and talked to me, and even brought me lunch! It's been great!" Frohike sighed hopelessly.

"I'm talking about the case Jimmy…" he corrected him.

"Oh, that! Oh, no…Nothing you don't know about." He reported. "The Jell-O's good though!"

"Call us when you have something useful to say!" Frohike disconnected the call.

"Okay!…See you guys later!" Jimmy said, oblivious to the fact that he had just been hung up on.

Byers opened his mouth to speak, but withheld. He cleared his throat and adjusted in his seat.

"I'm gonna…I'm gonna take a walk." He said rising to his feet. "I'll be back in a few." He gave a last glance before leaving the room.

He went down the hall and made his way to the lounge. It was a quiet place. Just what he needed. He took a seat near a large fireplace and got comfortable. He sat there dazing into the warm flames. He slowly lost himself in thought while the mesmerizing moments of the fire succumbed him. Suddenly, he snapped out of his trance and came to. He slowly reached into his coat breast pocket and pulled out and folder sheet of paper. He brought it up and inhaled its scent. Yes, the sweet, alluring aroma of women's perfume still lingered in the paper. He pulled it down and carefully opened it.

Dear John,

I know this sounds crazy, but I miss you already. I guess what I am really trying to say is, I enjoy your company. If you weren't only on assignment, I would take things further, but for now knowing that you're going to leave soon I can only allow myself to be your friend. I'm sorry if you had any expectations for anything more, but I have to do this.

With love and respect,

Melissa Jones

He had read the words over and over again, and every time he did, his pain grew. It was true. He had met a girl. No…a woman. She was young, sweet, innocent, beautiful. Call it puppy love if you must, but he felt this in his blood. Just the other night they had stayed up for hours drinking hot chocolate and keeping each other company. It was a humorous story really. They had met out on the slopes. Something Byers never thought he'd ever say, due to the fact that he didn't ski. The irony of it all was neither did she. They had met at the bottom of the hill near a restaurant. They had been sitting there for hours before they even met. It was a miraculous event really. A special one. One that he'd never forget. A woman that he'd never forget. And now this. It's always what it came down to for him. An ultimatum.

Suddenly, a figure appeared in front of him. He slowly looked up until his eyes met hers. She was a lanky blonde with dashing eyes. Although normal, she held a quality that he couldn't grasp.

"Melissa…" he said under his breath. Her eyes were watering and red. She sat next to him and looked him in the eye.

"I see you read my letter." She motioned towards the paper. He looked down at it and nodded.

"I did… Many times actually…" he said softly. His eyes snapped up and met hers. "Why?…"

"Oh, John. I don't know how this all happened, but I'm sorry. I'm not very good with relationship, and I never have been." She admitted to him. "I know I screwed this up royally, and there's nothing I can do to take that back…" He hung on her every word intently. "But… suddenly, I wish I could…. I want to take a chance with us John… I want to see where it will go. If I know you as well as I do, I think, that if we just take things slowly and watch ourselves in the beginning, things could go quiet well…" she paused. "What do you think?"

Slowly, a smile spread across Byers face. He leaned in and pressed his lips against hers in reply.