AN – What happened to the rest of the Bob Whites you may ask. We catch up with them is this chapter. The emphasis, as you've probably come to realise is on Mart and Honey. Yes there is a reason but you'll just have to wait until the next book to find out what. Oh, and I have plans for Matthew Wheeler and Brian Belden too….maybe even Di's "secret" will play a vital role. For those of you reading any of my work (yes including Bones and X files) you'll know there's always a reason for everything, you just have to be patient to find out why.

'Well,' Honey questioned with a raised eyebrow. She'd been standing by her parents' side for three hours. The voting booths closed at six pm eastern standard time. The media representatives took the odd shot as the counting continued and the people of New York State waited to find out who'd won.

'Jury's still out,' Matthew answered, a very slight smile upturning the corners of his lips, 'but initial indications are…not good.'

'We always knew it'd go down to the wire,' his wife responded drily, 'with the history surrounding this election. The previous Senator being impeached for conduct unbecoming (yes this is a real fact. The election took place on 10th November 2010). In another hour we should have a provincial result.'

'In another hour, counting will stop for the night,' Matthew reminded, 'then any celebrations or commiseration parties will have to be postponed, even if my opposition is claiming victory as we stand here.'

'Such a shame,' Honey's sense of humour became darker with her deepening romantic relationship and entry into college. Exposed to the public for eighteen months, Mart with his career exponentially expanding, she'd become jaded by the attention her father's campaign attracted and the continuing fight to keep Trixie and Jim's abduction current. Studying American Politics to one day become a senior advisor to her father in his new endeavour she'd learnt the value of irony. 'Wasting all this,' Honey indicated the plush surrounding of the hotel ballroom engaged for the night and the loyal supporters standing by.

'Quite right,' Mart chimed in his best Oxford accent.

Unsure how his presence might affect the ultimate outcome, he stayed out of the limelight to give the media the "family" photos they craved. Besides, he hated the attention Trixie and Jim's abduction still drew thanks to Honey and his continuing campaign. Three weeks in the dorms at Columbia, both he and Dan returned to their old rooms across the hall from the Wheeler's penthouse apartment for peace.

Dan didn't need the fame for the sting of girlfriends he attracted, his looks and toned body did that. However his involvement with the mysteries surrounding the Bob Whites gave him certain kudos with his lectures. They applauded his dedication to a pre law degree, understanding the need that drove the young man, several offering help to secure scholarships towards his further studies.

Signalling to the wait staff, Matthew requested the celebratory champagne be passed around. 'If I could have your attention,' Matthew called out to the thousand odd people in the crowd, many with glasses in their hands. Conversation stopped as all eyes in the room turned toward the dais. Several cameramen hoisted their heavy equipment onto their shoulders, waiting the moment the would-be Senator claimed victory.

'My family and I would like you to join us in a salute to all the hard work and tenacity which has gone into this campaign.' He held up a flute, waiting until every person in the room also held a glass. 'Win or lose,' Matthew toasted, 'tonight my daughter Madeline, my wife Grace and I give thanks to each and every one of you for your loyalty and support. Whatever the outcome, we have run a good race. Now we place our faith in the munificence of the America People. Please join us to celebrate the end of this campaign as we wait to establish who will become our states next Senator.'

Mart slunk back into crowd to join his brother and friends. Brian's time became very precious with his change in major. He'd taken three courses over the summer semester while working and excelled at everything he did. Continuing his traineeship, the eldest Belden divided his time between college and the NYPD crime labs, giving him back his enjoyment in life.

'Good to see you could make it,' Mart teased. Living in the same apartment, the brothers rarely saw each other.

'Hard to stop the crime in this city,' Brian grinned, 'but the boss let me off the graveyard shift tonight for this very special party.'

'I bet you see some really gory stuff at work,' Di shivered.

Missy placed an arm about her lover's shoulders in support. They managed to catch up twice a month when Di came down to New York. Missy's six nights a week performance trapping her permanently in the city. Normally the other Bob Whites left the couple to their own devices on the rare occasions they saw each other, communicating with their friend through e-mail and phone calls.

'Yes,' Brian agreed easily, 'at first it disturbed me. I guess you get to a point where you can't be surprised by the depravity of the human mind. It kind of helps to understand the reason behind Smithy's actions.'

'What,' Missy, usually very quiet, joined the conversation, 'you're telling me you understand the motivations for your sister's abduction. Even as an actress, I sometimes find it hard to get into character. I don't think I could, with someone like that.'

Brian looked to Mart and Dan over the girl's heads. 'Yes,' they coursed together.

'I've done a lot of research into the Cartel behind Trixie and Jim kidnapping,' Mart explained. 'Smithy is as much a victim as our siblings.'

'Not,' Brian added with rancour, 'that we forgive him.'

'I'll never forgive that man,' Di's lavender eyes turned a stormy grey. 'The hurt he's caused all of us and our families. That first year at school was murderous. Sometimes, even at college, people ask me about it or offer their own opinion.'

'We all still get that,' Mart mourned, 'and will while Honey and I continue to keep it as fresh as possible.'

'I'm sure we understand why,' Dan added.

The quiet and introspective group raised their glassed in an unspoken toast. 'Trixie and Jim,' they whispered. Mart's eyes went to the dais and his girlfriend. Honey's reaction ensuring him she knew exactly what they discussed. Holding up her glass, she took a sip in silent acknowledgment.

'At one point,' Brian spoke softly into his brother's ear, a devious grin covering his face, 'I thought it would be me at her side, but this,' he nodded his head in Honey's direction, 'worked out much better. None of us really believed it at first.'

'You better believe that,' Di laughed easily, linking her arm about Missy's waist. 'Until Mart and I went on those dates when I turned sixteen, I'd imagined white wedding dresses and happily ever after. When you kissed me, I'm afraid I wanted a princess, not the prince.'

'I'd never describe my brother as a prince,' Brian joined in the merriment at Mart expense.

Given them all a sour look, Mart's sarcastic humour made him ask, 'so you all think I'm the frog.'

'More like toad,' Dan added.

Their ability to laugh and joke openly displayed how far they'd all come since the dark days of Trixie and Jim's abduction. Life without their friends would never be completely normal. They'd learnt to move on as they each found acceptance in their hearts. However, none of them stopped working towards one day having their siblings and the remaining Bob Whites returned to them.

'Well,' Mart took the vibrating cell out of his pocket, 'this toad has to take this call. Sorry,' he stuck his finger in the opposite ear as he exited the room.

'I can't believe he's a published journalist,' Missy shook her head, 'at his age. The quality of his articles, they show a depth and maturity of his work, it's astounding.'

'Not really,' Di looked towards her girlfriend, 'when you consider what we've all been through. It's changed us, all of us in very different ways.'

'I just wonder,' Dan piped in, 'how Jim and Trix have coped with whatever they're going through.'

'Mart still believes,' Honey managed to slip her parents and the media for a minute to join her friends, 'that their alive and living somewhere they can't escape. He feels Trix's echo in his head but said she's having a really hard time at the moment. He won't say more, even to me but Mart's made comments about the state of their relationship.'

'If they are together,' Dan made a motion with is hand letting everyone know he actually meant in a romantic and intimate way, 'they've got to be extremely careful.'

'I believe,' Honey sighed as her father called her back. Mart at his side, she knew the outcome of the election by the expression on his face, 'that's my significant others major fear.'

'I've just had the phone call,' Mart whispered in Matthew's ear. A source within the electoral committee, paying back a favour, gave him the early result.

Unable to hide his anxiety, Matthew Wheeler levelled a withering stare at the young man. Mart just grinned, enjoying the hard earned moment. 'Well,' Matthew demanded.

'Late swing,' Mart hedged, 'seems we won't need to wait until morning as there's a clear winner.' Pausing to give Matthew a moment to process his comment, the man speared him with twin green laser beams from his orbs. 'You're in by three precent. With the number of votes counted, Senator, you'll be sitting in D.C. as of the new year.'

'Let's keep this between ourselves for the moment,' Matt allowed a smirk. The immediate change in his body language alerted both his wife and daughter to the information.

'Couldn't agree more,' Mart managed to keep a neutral expression on his face. 'It makes your opposition look…foolish and insincere. I also have it on good authority your speech went down very well. Several syndicated networks have been playing it continuously to rave responses.'

'Let's hope we can keep the public's attention,' Matthew answered, moving off to speak with yet another volunteer who helped him achieve his goal.

'You've made someone very happy,' Honey whispered into Mart's ear.

'How much longer,' he asked in a voice filled with longing, 'until we can slip this party and move it to a more private location.'

'Midnight,' she returned, 'earliest. However, it'd be a great shame to waist the next two hours with that music playing and an almost empty dance floor.'

Holding out his hand in a gallant gesture, Mart indicated Miss Madeline Wheeler should take the offered favour. The moment his hand closed over hers, Martin Belden, very aware of the location of several cameramen and photographers, brought his girlfriend's knuckles to his lips. Leading her onto the floor, he took up an old fashioned waltz pose. Awaiting the moment, he took his first step to the strains of 'May I have this dance?'

'Trying to tell me something?' Honey's questioned. Her eye's twinkled as her face lit up the room with a bright smile. Resting her head on Mart's shoulder, she mouthed the lyrics.

Could I have this dance for the rest of my life
Would you be my partner every night
When we're together it feels so right

'Are you propositioning me Miss Wheeler,' Mart teased, his grin matching that of his dance partner.

'Do I need too,' Honey returned with a raised eyebrow.

'Once your parents have moved to D.C.,' Mart promised, 'we'll be able to be "partners every night". With Di away at College, it'll only be you in that great big apartment. Much better if you move in with your male counterparts across the hall. Of course, you'll have to share a bedroom as there's only three and their currently taken.'

'Do I get to choose?' she goaded.

'Yes,' Mart held on to the last syllable in mock anger, 'as long as it's mine. I have plans for you.'

Laughing, Honey rebuked, 'that's all you men ever think about.'

'I'm nineteen, in a committed monogamous relationship, have raging male hormones,' he mocked, 'and haven't seen much of my girlfriend for the last two months because her father's been monopolising her time.'

'Poor baby,' Honey's fake tone proved anything but understanding. Tilting head up, she whispered, 'promise I'll make it worth your while once we get back to your apartment.'

'I'll keep you to that,' Mart laid his cheek on the top of her head.

Their night didn't end until almost three, when the last of the "guests" finally left the party. Several media representatives received the same news Mart managed to uncover, turning it to an impromptu celebration. The Wheeler family used the attention to their advantage.

'Sorry I spoilt your fun,' Matthew smirked at the young lovers sharing the limousine back to the penthouse. The media attention ensured they'd behaved with propriety but couldn't wait to get back the privacy of Mart's room. While his daughter hid her disappointment well, the young man's face openly displayed his frustration.

'As a reward,' Madeline added, daring her husband to disagree. The scowl on his face meant he'd read and disapproved of her plan. 'You'll stay with us tonight Mart. Just make sure you're private celebration remains inaudible to the rest of the household. Matthew and I have an early press conference latter this morning.'

Mart ensured his article made the front page of New York's most widely read newspaper. Accompanied by a family photo, few knew the slightly sarcastic comments preceded the election result by twenty four hours. Positive Matthew Wheeler would win the vote he'd arranged the commentary to shed a constructive light on the new Senator.

Buried in the social section, a second piece commented on his choice of song when leading the new Senator's Daughter out onto the dance floor, cementing him as an ongoing part of the Wheeler clan. The same photographer had been given instructions. He'd shot the frame the moment Mart kissed Honey's hand. Irony in the article suggested an understanding between the young couple brought about by the loss of their siblings. Mart used every method at his disposal to ensure his sisters safe return and the continuation of his relationship with Honey.

'I have plans for you,' he whispered over her sleeping form, adding silently in his head, 'future Mrs Martin Belden.'

'Don't expect me to give up my name completely,' Honey muttered sleepily. In the last year, she'd come to understand her significant other completely. 'I'll be using Belden-Wheeler so my father's name isn't completely lost in the next generation.'

'Getting a bit ahead of yourself, aren't you, Miss Wheeler,' Mart rebuked.

'If you don't use that mouth for something more,' Honey demanded, 'I'm going back to sleep. By the way, I loved the article, both of them.'

Astounded, Mart asked, 'when did you read it?'

'You're not the only one with contacts,' Honey teased, climbing on top of her boyfriend, 'the editor ran it past me before publication.'

'The day you finish college, Honey Wheeler, your mine,' Mart grinned, deciding foreplay could be dispensed with this time around.

'I thought I already was,' she returned, joining them completely.