Chapter 9 Melissa meets William

Melissa's mouth dropped upn in shock too. She had a brother? Melissa never knew that. Her mom not once spoke up of William at least not around her. This was so shocking. The man before her looked so much like their real dad except he had auburn hair like hers too. "I have a brother?" she finally asked. All these years, Melissa thought she was an only child; turns out, there had been a brother. She just was never told about. Melissa thought to heself well , if this wasn't the explanation she was looking for, then what would be? this was a good reason for her parents to be gone. "I I don't know what to say". said Melissa dumbfounded.

The only brother she ever known or was to Claim was Langly. Richard Langly Ringo had always been there for her since her and had always called her his adopted sister. They used to spend hourse picking on one another and wrestling each other until Frohike had to tell them to stop. Even if her real brother had just appeared, Melissa would always think of Langly as her brother even if he wasn't blood related.

Everyone else was just as stunned as Melissa, but not for the same reason. Reyes was the first to speak up "Wait, wait. didn't you give William up for adoption after Spender tried to inject him with, with whatever it was?"

Mulder nodded. "The time of the prophecy had passed. It's finally safe for all of us to be together as a family". he glanced at Scully, noting how her eyes welled up at the mention of adoption. William stood to the side, not entirely sure of what to do.

Melissa stood there listening to her real Dad speak. "We missed alot of years together. How can we catch up?" she asked. She wondered how they could all get close again. They had already missed so much time together. Melissa also didn't understand what the Prophecy was, but she was certain her Dad, Reyes and Doggett could tell her. Melissa also wondered how her Dad would react once she told him she was seeing Byers.

The same thought had just crossed Byer's mind. He paled slightly, thinking of Mulder's reaction. Langly, standing next to him, noticed and slapped Byer's supportively on the back. "We can catch up anyway you want to". Mulder was saying "We'll manage it somehow". Melissa smiled realizing she had her way with both her parents and Brother. "Good, you can both start by having regular visits with me, family vacations, outings, and Birthdays and Christmases and oh! Barbeques with us". Melissa said all in one breath. Melissa told William it was nice to finally meet him and then gave him a hug, and went back over to Byers. She sat in his lap hoping he wouldn't mind. "Let's continue this party even though it's just us. We got reasons to celebrate." Melissa hoped it was ok with her friends and Frohike that she was going to give her parents another chance. She also wanted Frohike to understand that he would always be her Dad even though her father was back.

Scully smiled "Sounds good sweetheart." Byers put his arms around Melissa's waist and kissed her cheek as she sat in his lap. Mulder's eyes became as wide as plates. Scully, though, just smiled and said, "Took you long enough to make a move, John." Byers blushed "How long did you know?"

"Women's intuition", Scully shared a smile with Reyes and Renee. "I knew all along. Ever since last year ever since Melissa told me". "Bu- when- how?" poor Mulder was too confused to get out a coherent sentence. He really had been gone too long. he decided. Then again, he knew Byers would never hurt Melissa. Much better she be with a close friend than some young punk. "Wow". he said before anyone explained and he laughed. "Never would have suspected. I'm glad though... I think". Mulder wasn't too sure if he liked this yet.

Meanwhile, Langly and William began to talk. "I'm still brother number one", Langly was informing him. "You got no brother rights yet, you must earn them". William looked at Langly confused. Doggett took one look around and decided it was time for some beer and wine; may as well celebrate semi-normally, he thought.

Melissa leaned against Byers. She loved it when he putted his arms around her. Byers provided the warmth, safety, and Security she needed when she was around him she thought no one could harm her. Not as long as he was around. Melissa was glad the guys were back and alive. She didn't know how she'd go through life without them and they had been her family for so many years. Around Byers, she could be herself and hide no Secrets.

She thought it was funny how her father reacted to them making out as a couple. He looked a bit shocked, but happy too. Probably because Byers was a close Family Friend she thought. And Byers was better than some punk she goes to college with. She turned to Byers "I'm so glad you guys are back. I don't know what I'd do without any of you". Melissa didn't want to lose the guys ever again it was too much for her before.

Doggett returned with glasses and wine as Melissa finished her sentence. He poured a glass for everyone that wanted one. The Gunmen all smiled. "Yopu don't have to worry about us again. We're not going to leave you all alone". Frohike said to her. Byers just grinned and hugged Melissa close to him "That goes for you too, Melissa. We probably wouldn't be here either, if you hadn't kept us straight for so many years".

"Besides, if we went and died, you'd have no one to train William here on how to be a good brother". Langly added as he ruffled Melissa's hair. Melissa laughed at Langly's comment to her. She was so glad to have Friends and Family who were close to her that cared about her.

Melissa couldn't be happier, she thought. She had her family and friends here, and her mom and real dad were back. For good to make mends with her. she was glad most of all, the Gunmen wouldn't ever really leave her all alone.

Chapter 10 The Trial

Mike's trial was two days later, Melissa got ready in the bedroom she stayed at Monica's still until Mike went to Jail. In some ways, she was dreading to face Mike again. But on the other hand, Melissa wanted to see him get arrested, sentenced, and locked behind bars. It was the only way she was ever going to feel safe, secure, and able to rest at night.

She knew she would have to go up on the stand to testify and she was nervous about it. But, she also knew that Monica was going to be her attorney and that the others would be in the courtroom with her. She studied herself in the mirror. She wore a huntergreen suit. Her red hair was pulled back in a half-up do and it was curly. Renee had braided it the night before when it was wet and now it had waves in it. Melissa put on very little makeup, some blush and lipgloss. She sighed she guessed she was ready as she turned to stand up, she heard the door open and saw Byers come in.

Byers picked up Melissa, as always, in a suit. There were slight circles under his eyes, but other than that, he looked perfect as always. he hadn't slept much last night for the fear of the emotional stress that the trial would cause Melissa. Outside the Court House, they met with the rest of the gang.

Everyone got a kick out of seeing Frohike and langly in a suit. Melissa was impressed. She'd never seen Frohike in a suit, even after all these years. "Looking good, Dad", she grinned trying to fight off her nerves.

"Langly, I didn't even know you owned a suit". exclaimed Scully, trying hard not to laugh. It was such a strange sight. "Yeah, well, Ha Ha. I didn't up until after everyone thought we were dead. I had to buy one a few weeks after because", Langly paused, his eyes wide "We didn't tell you!"

"Hu?"

Renee walked up, wearing a black skirt and a white t-shirt. Her blonde curls were up in a bun, already startign to fall out as her hair was so thick. "Who didnt tell whom what?" she asked. Langly flushed and pulled her to the side. "Oh". The two walked back over after a few minutes; their friends gazing at them queerly. "We, uh, have something to tell you after the trial". Renee said smiling.

"Let's go in! don't want to be late". She and Langly practically pranced inside.

"What are they up to?" Byers asked.

"We'll find out when it's over", Reyes said cheerfully. "And it will be soon". They walked into the Courtroom. Melissa began to get even more nervous as they walked in.