Soooo, I know it's been forever since I posted anything. Life and other stuff got in the way. I hope that you are still interested in this story. Hopefully I will have more time and ideas to keep this story going. I really do want to finish this story.

Sorry for keeping you waiting so long (I personally hate it when I really like a story and there are no new chapters...)

On with the story...

Dana Scully's apartment

Saturday 18 March 2000

06:10 AM

The next morning Dana was woken by a very exuberant 6 year old. Katie had woken up very early and decided she couldn't wait any longer, so she got out of bed and went into Dana's room.

'Dana, Dana, wake up! It's morning, can we go to the Zoo now?'

Dana slowly opened her eyes and had to smile at the sight before her. Katie had already dressed, but had done a poor job of it. She had chosen a bright pink t-shirt with a unicorn and an orange skirt. Her hair was still messy from sleeping.

'Good morning sunshine, did you sleep well?' Dana asked her, still with a smile on her lips.

'Yes, thank you. But now I'm awake and I want to go to the Zoo. Can we go already? I've already put my clothes and everything.' She was jumping up and down, with excitement in her eyes.

'Sweetheart, it is still too early to go to the Zoo. Even though we have to drive for a while, it is still too early. Maybe you can go back to bed for a little while and try and get some more sleep. The more sleep you'll get, the better you will able to enjoy your day.' Dana answered.

But Katie was determined that she didn't need any more sleep. Eventually Dana managed to get her to agree to crawl in to bed with her.

'Okay, now try to fall asleep. If that doesn't work, just close your eyes and rest. Think about the animals you want to see today and what you want to do in the Zoo. Then on the way over we can talk about that.'

At 6:30 both ladies were asleep again.

When Dana woke up next it was from her alarm clock at 8 o'clock. She hadn't really been afraid of oversleeping, but after the event of last night, she was glad that she had. Katie had started on the right side of the bed when she got in that morning. But she had migrated to the middle of the bed, snuggling close to Dana. She cherished this moment of unguarded affection.

They had grown closer, but it was still very hard for Katie to express her emotions and affection. Dana could understand that. She came from a loving family, unlike Katie, and she had problems expressing her emotions and affection.

Oh, Dana was sure Katie's mother did everything she could, but she could sense there were issues there. Especially with what she knew about, and experienced, with Katie's dad. And to see this beautiful little girl vulnerable and trusting, made her heart swell with pride and joy.

Next to her Katie started to stir and wake up.

'Can we go to the Zoo now?', she asked with a sleepy voice.

'First we are going to get dressed and have some breakfast. After that we can go to the Zoo.' Dana answered.

'But I'm already dressed. Look I'm wearing my favorite shirt and skirt.'

'And they are beautiful, but maybe you should wear a pair of jeans to go to the Zoo. You can keep your shirt on, but jeans might be a bit more practical. You can help me pick out my clothes for me after breakfast.'

Dana had seen the slightly disappointed look in Katie's eyes when she was told that she couldn't keep her skirt on, but hoped to appease the little girl with the offer to let her help pick out her clothes. She just had to be sure to have an acceptable selection of clothes from which she could choose.

Together they made their way to the kitchen. Dana started her coffee maker and poured two cups of orange juice. Katie was busy setting the table for the both of them.

'What would you like for breakfast, sweetie? You can have French toast or egg soldiers.'

Dana had learned early on that it was better to give Katie a choice between two or three options, because otherwise it would take forever for her to decide what to have or what to do.

'Egg soldiers, please,' replied Katie.

Dana put on a pan of water on the stove to boil the eggs and got the toaster from her cupboard for the toast.

Ten minutes later they were sitting down to eat.

'So have you thought about which animal you would like to see the most? I think the lions and the giraffes are my favorites.'

'Ehm, do you think they have penguins at the Zoo. I like the way the way they walk, it is so funny to watch,' Katie giggled.

'I'm pretty sure they do. Anything else you want to see or do while we're there?'

Katie kept quiet for a minute, deep in thought and absentmindedly dipping on of her "soldiers" in her egg.

'I don't know, I've never been to the a Zoo before, what else is there to do?'

'Well, this is a very special Zoo. It has a big indoor playground and they have there rides. For example, you can go an Safari over the Savana or ride a boat through the Jungle,' Dana answered.

'Wow, that sounds really cool!'

'Yes it does, doesn't it?'

They talked a little bit more about the different rides and the different kinds of animals they might be able to see that day. Suddenly Katie became quiet and she looked a little bit nervous.

'What is it, honey. Is there something wrong?'

'No, I was just thinking… Do you think Fox would like to go to the Zoo too?'

Dana was surprised, to say the least. Katie was very shy, but she must have taken a liking to Mulder for her to ask her this. She wasn't sure what her partners plans were for the weekend. But if it would make Katie happy, she would ask him. Since it was nearly half past eight now, she was pretty sure he was still asleep, but it couldn't hurt to phone him and find out.

'Well,' she said, 'I think he might enjoy it. Would you like it if he came with us?'

'Yes, I know I was a little bit scared of him yesterday when he was angry with you, but after that he was very nice…Can we ask him to come please?'

'I will phone him and you can ask him. But I can't promise you that he will be able to come with us. It is very late notice, he might have other plans for today.' She thought it best to prepare Katie a little bit for a possible rejection. She picked up her phone, dialed the number and waited.

Mulder answered on the third ring. Dana explained that Katie wanted to ask him something and gave the phone to her.

After a short conversation, Katie handed the phone back to Dana, she had a big smile on her face.

'I gather that you will be joining us today,' Dana said. He confirmed and they agreed to that it would be easier and quicker if they picked him up, since it was on the way to the Zoo. Dana and Katie would pick him up in an hour, that way they would all have enough time to get ready and they would be at the Zoo just after opening time.