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No Worries 10
by Ciejye

Clothing is an important part of life, it covers the nude form, protects it from the elements, helps to keep it warm and of course clothing makes a statement as well. Tight jeans are hot, strategic rips or undone buttons often tell a greater story than words can. Clothing can tell where a person is headed, shorts and sweatbands be speak of exercise. Jeans and T-shirts will denote grungy work or play. Skirts or ties say more formal intentions such as office work or a night out and formal wear says this person is out to paint the town red. Of course this is different for different ages, however one thing remains constant, no matter what the style or intent, the clothing has to be purchased from somewhere. Whither its from the fabric store or a boutique, someone has to buy it. 

That is how Fox found himself in a Women’s shop at two o’clock on a Saturday afternoon bored out of his mind. The up side was Walter was suffering right along with him.

The day before Walter had asked Jenny what she had to wear for the director’s party the next day. Jenny came out in a black mini skirt first that was so short both Walter and Fox blushed.  The next outfit was a scarlet floor length dress that was so tight Walter wonder how his child could breath in it. Walter decreed they would take Jenny the next morning to get something suitable. 

This was the 6th shop they had been in that day. Fox and Walter would both beginning to doubt that they would ever find anything that was suitable. Jenny came out of the dressing room the dress she had on was skin tight, it hugged her ever curve. The floor length skirt was slit to the hip, it was backless and the cups barely covered her breasts. Fox thought Walter was going to burst a vein when Walter thought he saw part of his daughters areola as she moved. "Breath Walter, breath" Fox said Walter took a breath. 

Walter growled out at his child "NO!" then turned on the hapless saleswoman. "She’s 14 for crying out loud!"

The saleswoman shrugged her shoulders as if age was meaningless for her.

"Geeze Papa, are you going to encase me in armor?" Jenny asked indignantly, she was so tired of all this. 

"You may need more than that if you keep up with that fresh moth young lady." Walter muttered. Jenny's sudden flush was the only indication she heard him. 

Walter tried again to explain things to the saleswoman for the third time. "We want a dress, suitable for a teenager, she’s 14. We are going to a formal dinner where my daughter is also to perform. I want something nice, demure, modest, COVERING! Is this so hard?" 

A tall brunette woman shopping with her daughter stepped forward and handed Walter three dresses. "Pardon me, but I couldn't help overhearing your dilemma. Try these. They should be more like what you are looking for." 

Walter smiled and thanked her. he trust the dresses at Jenny who fled to the dressing room to try them on. 

The first was a deep rose colored silk, floor length, with spaghetti straps and a small rosette over the left hip. Jenny looked charming in it. The second was a black strapless with a small black lace jacket, the skirt also floor length but fuller than the first one, with silver threads decorating the edges of the jacket and the hem of the skirt.  Walter nodded his approval. The last one was a brilliant blue, of velvet and satin with a v neck, the skirt was very full and billowed around Jenny's small feet. Walter turned to thank the brunette woman but she was gone. The dresses were perfect. Each one flattered his child without making her look like a call girl. Walter handed over his credit card and purchased all three. 

The next stop was the shoe store, dresses in tow, to match the colors if possible. Fox checked his watch. "Jenny has that hair appointment in 15 minutes, we need to step it up." 

Walter agreed and in record time they had the shoes. Not as high as Jenny wanted, but not flats the way Walter wanted. Fox and Walter took a much needed break while Jenny was got her hair styled. The lovers collapsed in a booth at a coffee shop, exhausted. "How much longer until she is grown?" Fox asked.

"4 years." Walter said in a tired voice. 

"I’ll step up our vitamin intake," Fox grinned. 

Walter laughed. 

"Have we thought about boarding school?" Fox teased. 

"Nah, we can’t afford the insurance," Walter grinned at his lover. Then grew serious. "I know having Jenny around has changed out lives."

Fox hushed his mate with a single finger, "I love having Jenny around. She is a delightful child and makes me laugh. She is a part of you and that makes her even more precious to me. I know we can never have children together, not unless science does a major turn about. So having your daughter with us is the next best thing." 

Walter didn't care who saw him kiss his love. and from the look on Fox's face he didn't care either. 

*****
Walter and Fox shopped for a while before they went back to pick Jenny up from the saloon. They walked hand in hand around the mall, relishing a few stolen moments to just browse. Jenny had come out of the saloon with a scarf on her head that covered her hair to keep it from getting messed up. The trio headed back home. 

On the way Jenny let out a cry of distress that nearly caused Walter to drive the jeep off the road. "WHAT?" he exclaimed. 

"Hose, we forgot hose!" Jenny lamented.

"You don't have hose at home?" Walter queried in an exasperated tone. 

"Only purple fishnets." Jenny said softly, not sure how her father would take that news. 

Walter didn't even blink. He simply pulled into the next drugstore and parked. He turned back to Jenny, the look on his face was not the most pleasant. "NOW, before we go in, is there ANYTHING else? Anything at all? Because I am not stopping again."

"No papa, that's it, just the hose." Jenny said in a soft voice, a bit scared of the look on Walter's face.

"I mean it Jenny, do you need anything else, voice spray, breath mints, a new bra, anything at all?" 

Jenny blushed, "No, Papa that is everything, I don't need anything else."

Walter nodded and handed Jenny the money. "don't dawdle, We all still have to shower and dress to be there by 7." Jenny fled the jeep, she was back in less than 10 minutes and they headed home without further insolent. 

They were all dressed in plenty of time dispite Walter's worrying. Walter looked dashing in his tux. It was custom cut to fit his powerful arms and chest. His cumberbun had a thin silver chain threaded across it. Fox was equally as handsome in his tux. He had opted for an alternative tie that crossed at the neck rather than the bow tie. He also had the silver chain across the cumberbun. 

"You look good enough to eat," Walter growled in lustful passion at the delicious sight of his lover. Fox's eyes dilated as he took a step towards the object of his affections. "Down boy." Walter whispered. 

Jenny walked into the living room just then, she was a vision in the black dress with silver threads, her hair was done in soft curls and caught back away from her face, but the length went down her back in a cascade of ringlets, only tendrils of curls framed her face. And had silver teardrops in her ears. She had put on a bit of red lipstick, not too bright, but the splash of color was perfect for her outfit. She carried a small silver bag.

She looked so small yet so grown up, Walter felt his heart catch as he smiled and stepped forward with a bow and took her hand. He bowed over it and kissed it lightly. "You look stunning," he said. "but something is missing." 

Jenny stayed still, a faint blush over her face at the praise from her father. Walter and Fox walked around her as if they were going to appraise her. Fox snapped his fingers suddenly, "I know what it is." He declared and headed for the bedroom. Jenny looked at her father in wonder and saw a half smile on his lips. Fox came back out quickly. 

"Close your eyes," Fox grinned. Jenny looked at him suspiciously but closed her eyes. a moment later she felt something cool on her neck. "Okay, you can open them now." 

Jenny did, and looked down, she could see something but not well. She stepped to the mirror and gasped. Around her neck was a silver locket. Her locket the one that was broken after the accident. It had been repaired and polished. She opened it and smiled, inside was a picture of her mother on one side, and her father on the other. "Oh thank you," she said and hugged Fox and Walter in one tight hug, tears of joy in her arms. "Its almost perfect."

The guys being guys missed the almost. But Jenny knew what she needed to do to make it perfect and planned it do so as soon as she could. Fox got Jenny's cloak, it was of black velvet and very warm, while Walter got his keys. Then they headed out. 

******

The Director’s house was a large and bespoke of family money, a maid opened the door and took their coats then led them into a nearby room. The Director came over as they entered. The pleasantries attended to, the director turned to scan the room. There in the back of the room just coming in the door was the object of his search his nephew Simon.  He beckoned the boy over. Simon was a tall young man of 17, blond hair and blue eyes. he had a laid back surfer look about him. The boy gave the Director a sour look but come over. 

"Simon, I want you to meet AD Walter Skinner, and Special Agent Fox Mulder, and this is the young lady I was telling you about, AD Skinner’s daughter, Jennifer. This is my nephew Simon."

"A pleasure to meet you Simon." 

"Nice to meet you young man." 

"Hi." 

"Good evening gentlemen, hi." 

Okay so teenagers are not the most social of animals but it was a start. The Director pushed both teens off together and took Walter and Fox to another part of the room to mingle. 

Jenny looked lost, she hated being pushed with someone she didn't know. And Simon was not much better, he looked at the young girl, he knew from his Uncle that she was only 14, a mere baby, and HE was expected to entertain the baby. Simon snorted, what next should he change her diapers too? But his uncle did say to be nice.

"So are you related to Agent Mulder as well?" Simon asked after several minutes. 

Jenny was startled when the blond spoke to her. "Yes, he is my step father kind of."

"Oh, I heard your mother died, sorry. were they married long?" Simon asked.

"Fox wasn't married to mother, he and Papa are life partners." Jenny stopped as Simon’s mouth fell open.

"You mean they’re faggots?" Simon said, he looked as if he had smelled something nasty. 

"NO, they are in a loving relationship!" Jenny snarled, as she began to think she didn't like this boy very much. 

"Faggots, god, I wonder if my uncle knows he has a couple of queers working for him." Simon snorted. 

"Since he invited them as a couple I would think so," Jenny said as she looked for a way away from this bigot. "Why are you so worried about what they do?"

"I don't want them checking me out or coming on to me." 

"OH for the love of.. are you REALLY that egotistical? Why would they want to check YOU out when they have each other? Either one of them is a whole lot better looking than you." Jenny's eyes were flashing as her voice started to raise. "You Simon, are a narrow-minded, egotistical, moronic bigot!" 

An arm around her waist stopped anything else she had to say, as she turned to look at Fox. "That's enough," He hissed in her ear. "Not one more word." Then Fox fixed a look at both teenagers. "You will not disrupt this night. You will get along for the next few hours then you never have to see each other again." The glare he fixed on the pair was enough to make normal people quake in their boots. Unfortunately these were not normal people, these were teenagers. And teenagers often have a lot of bravo. 

Still, discretion is the better part of valor. "Yes Sir," Jenny capitulated. Simon held off a moment longer but then nodded. 

"Fine, Whatever." He said, as he rolled his eyes. 

"Good choice, now, I do not expect to see any more venom between you two." Fox commanded and at their twin nods, he walked back to Walter. 

"Look you, I only agreed for my Uncle, this isn't over." Simon snarled at the small girl. 

Jenny was not one to be intimidated, she snarled right back at him. "Don't threaten me." 

Whatever Simon was about to say was cut off by the Director who walked over. "My dear Miss Skinner, I do hope you and my nephew here are getting along well?" 

Jenny turned on a fake smile she had spent years perfecting. Any parent would recognize it for what it was. but the Director didn't at that time. "Oh just peachy Sir." 

"Good, good. Now I need to steal you away for a time. I have a surprise for you but I am afraid you will have to sing for it." the Director laughed at his own joke. Jenny laughed along with him. She really did want to have a good time and was not about to let Simon ruin it. As she followed the Director over to the piano, she saw the rest of the people at the party. She was a bit shocked, she thought he said a small party but there must have been 30 people milling about. Jenny cast a worried glance around the room, until she found her father. Then she relaxed. As long as Papa was here nothing would happen. 

The Director clapped his hands for attention, "Ladies and Gentlemen. First let me welcome you to my home and say how pleased I am that you all could join me this evening. I have a treat for you. Recently I had the pleasure of hearing this young lady, Miss Jennifer Skinner, the daughter of our own Assistant Director Walter Skinner, sing. Just one note but what a note. I convinced her to sing for you all here to night."

Polite applause sounded, people were used to amateur singers at different functions. Most had passable voices, and even if they didn't, a couple of out of tune songs wouldn't ruin the night. The Director turned to Jenny and bowed. "My dear, if you would favor me with a request. The title song from The Phantom of the Opera." 

Jenny blushed, "I would be more than happy to Sir, but that song is a duet."

"Trust me my dear, just sing, your partner will be revealed shortly." The Director grinned like the proverbial cat that ate the cream. 

Jenny was bemused but agreed, she spoke to the pianist for a moment, then turned back to the assembled group. Her eyes sought out her father and Fox again. Both smiled in that parental way that is meant to reassure and calm. Behind them she saw Simon, the look on his face was not pleasant, but she blocked him out as the piano played the introduction, then she began to sing.

"In sleep he sang to me, in dreams he came...
That voice which calls to me and speaks my name...
And do I dream again? For now I find
The Phantom of the Opera is there - inside my mind."

From behind the crowd, she heard a voice lift as it joined in the song. A voice she thought she recognized, her heart leapt into her throat as the crowd parted, and the figure of a man walked slowly though their midst as he sang.

"Sing once again with me our strange duet...
 My power over you grows stronger yet...
 And though you turn from me, to glance behind,
 The Phantom of the Opera is there - inside your mind."

Jenny felt her face flush as she watched him move, her hands grew clammy and her vision began to tunnel, she could scarcely breath. He was here, and he was singing to her, with her. she almost missed her cue but caught up with the song

"Those who have seen your face draw back in fear.
I am the mask you wear..."

The man in the half face mask reached the piano.

"It's me they hear."

Their voices joined in the next line and Jenny could not believe she was singing with the great Michael Crawford. The man who WAS the Phantom of the Opera.

"Your/my spirit and your/my voice, in one combined:
 The Phantom of the Opera is there inside my mind."

Out of the night somewhere voices called out in the next part. Jenny realized there must be some back up singers somewhere.

"He's there, the Phantom of the Opera...
Beware the Phantom of the Opera..."
 

Crawford’s voice filled her sense as he sang the next line, his fingers reached out and touched her hand.

"In all your fantasies, you always knew
That man and mystery..."

Jenny felt a thrill of teenage love flow though her body, at the simple touch of the legend’s hand.

"...were both in you."

Crawford put his arm around Jenny's shoulders as their voices lifted in the next part.

"And in this labyrinth, where night is blind,
The Phantom of the Opera is there/here
Inside your/my mind..."

Jenny shivered as Crawford intoned the next part, he released her, and smiled as he dropped to one knee, and sang the command.

"Sing, my Angel of Music!"

Jenny sang, her vision tunneled again, she forgot all the people in the room, the Director, the onlookers, even Simon. The only ones she saw were Michael Crawford, who was on one knee before her, and behind him, her Father and Fox, both looked so proud. Jenny lifted her voice and sang.

"He's there, the Phantom of the Opera..."

She again began the vocalizations the gradually took her voice higher and higher, as Crawford encouraged her as the Phantom, just as her father had done that night not so long ago. Jenny sang higher and higher, the ahhhs moving up the scaled until she hit that last sustained note at the top. Almost a cry of pain and love in the song. 

The note echoed in the still silence of the room as the crowd held its collective breath. For a moment the room was silent, then the crowd thundered its approval. Jenny took an involuntary step backwards at the reaction, her face went bright red as Crawford stood up, hugged her and kissed her cheek. 

"You have an amazing gift Miss Skinner," he whispered to her. "I would sing with you anytime.

At that moment the Director came forward with a champagne glass on a tray, he was grinning. "Miss Skinner, if you would be so kind."

Jenny knew what he wanted her to do, Crawford knew as well and smiled his encouragement. Jenny was used to this. at every party she had ever gone to since she learned to find the purity of one note they always wanted her to break a glass. She hoped the glass was good crystal or there would be more broken that just that. She took a good deep breath, and sang out. The note was pure and clear, a high E above C. The assembled guests again held their breath as the note rang out true and clear. Then there was the sound of breaking glass, a woman let out a cry of surprise as her glass broke, then another one broke. And finally the champagne glass on the tray shattered as Jenny stooped. 

The applause was again thunderous as the staff hurried in to clean up the mess. Several people rushed forward to complement Jenny on her singing and of course to meet Mr. Crawford. Jenny was overwhelmed at the crush of people, she began to try and back away. But the piano was behind her. "Please" she said but her voice was not heard over the din as everyone tried to talk at the same time. A shot rang out in the crowded room 

"Please," she said a little bit louder, as the pain filled her, the room was dimming, as her vision started to tunnel again. The noise was softer as she seemed to hear things from a distance. "Papa." She gasped as the blackness took her.
 

To be continued part eleven