Title: Father's Day Author: Loisarah Feedback: Loisarah@hotmail.com Rating: PG Disclaimer: Characters not mine, written for fans, not profit. Archive permission: Ask Author's Notes: Another oldie... written in 1999, revamped and resposted 2003

Jessie sat on her bed and looked at the dark blue polo shirt for the fifth time already that morning. "I know that's not what he usually wears, but I hope he likes it. It'll look good on him," she thought.

Carefully she folded it and laid it in the cardboard gift box. She slowly pulled the two tissue paper flaps on top of the shirt and slid the lid back on.

Taking a deep breath, she reached towards her desk for the tape and wrapping paper. She picked up the card and taped it on top of the wrapped package as she left her room. Peeking out her door, she saw no one and proceeded down the hallway and crept down the stairs.

The only person she found in the compound was Dr. Quest, reading the Sunday paper in the living room.

"Um, Dr. Quest?"

He peered over his paper at Jessie. "Yes?" he asked her.

"I... I... I have a Father's Day present."

"I think Race just went out to the garage to wash his car, Jessie." He ducked back behind his paper. Jonny hadn't woken up yet, and he wasn't sure he was ready for his present this year. Jonny was certainly... creative, to say the least.

"No, this is for you," she finally blurted out.

"What?" asked a very surprised Dr. Quest, this time folding the paper up and placing it in his lap. He simply stared at Jessie.

Jess held out the wrapped package. "I already gave Dad my present. This is for you."

Dr. Quest took the package and set in on his lap and looked up at Jessie. "Me?"

"Yeah." She sat down on the chair next to his. "You're always there for me, just like Dad, and I wanted to thank you." She impulsively leaned forward and hugged him.

Her action surprised him for a moment, and then he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her back.

As she let go and pulled away, he said, "Thank you Jessie."

"Aren't you going to open it?" she asked.

"Oh, yes, right." He pulled the paper off the package and opened it. He held up the blue shirt in front of him.

"Do you like it? I saw it and I thought... I thought it'd be a good change... you usually dress so..."

"I love it, Jessie. Thank you," he said.

"Good. Well..." Jessie stood up and walked toward the door. "I guess if Dad's washing his car I should help him, huh? That is, if he actually lets me touch it."

"I'm sure he'd like that, Jessie."

"Bye, Dr. Quest."

"Goodbye, Jessie."

As he watched Jessie walk towards the garage, Dr. Quest thought of what a remarkable young woman she was turning out to be.

As he pulled the card out of the envelope, he smiled and watched the ensuing water fight between Jessie and Race.

© 1997-2003