"Understand this, Lila, " said Rachel, "Any conversation you have with Zack Wilder - or Jordan Stark - is to be reported to Matthew and myself at once."

"Yes'm."

For the time being, Lila was thoroughly chastened.

****

"Hello, Sofia."

"Oh, Hi, Matt." Sofia couldn't hide her look of disappointment as Matthew entered her hospital room

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing! I just - thought you were Nick. He hasn't been to see me today."

"He's probably busy." said Matthew, "I'm sure he's going to stop by later."

"You think so?"

"How could any man stay away from You?"

Sofia smiled: "You're a good friend, Matt!"

"Yeah, that's me - your pal Matthew!"

****

Meanwhile, the Lone Gunmen continued their investigation of the Lumina Foundation's database.

"So that's what became of Jimmy Hoffa!" said Frohike.

"I guess we've got this week's headline." said Langley.

Byers shook his head. "It's not enough." he said, "We need more proof. We're going to have to get into the Lumina Building."

****

As soon as Matthew left Sofia's room, he called Nick.

"Why haven't you been to the hospital?" he demanded, "Sofia's asking for you!"

"So her memory hasn't come back yet?" said Nick.

"No! I'm running out of excuses for you!"

"Why don't you just tell her the truth?"

"Because the doctor says she shouldn't be upset!" said Matthew, "Believe me, I don't like this any more than you do!"

"All right." said Nick, "I'll see her later today."

****

Meanwhile, Gary had something to tell his brother:

"Me and Josie have decided that she's havin' Our baby - Hers and Mine." he said, "That one time you and her did it doesn't mean a thing compared to all the love Jay and me have shared over the years. So, we're not gonna get a DNA test done. It's expensive, and we got better things to do with our money."

"What about me?" said Cameron.

"You're always gonna be the kid's Uncle."

"What about Amanda's kid, though?"

"Amanda can do what she likes." said Gary, "If that baby she's carryin' Is mine, we can work somethin' out."

****

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here -"

"STOP!" Cass burst into Felicia's suite, where she and Sergei, under the watchful eyes of Agents Hill and Thomas, were standing side by side in front of a minister.

"Cass - what are you doing here?" said Felicia.

"I'm trying to save your from yourself!" said Cass, "Felicia - think about what you're doing!"

"I know exactly what I'm doing, Cass."

"This guy is just using you so he can stay in the country!"

"Is not true!" said Sergei, "I love Beautiful Felicia!"

Cass turned to Agents Hill and Thomas. "Who are you ?"

"INS."

"La Migra?" said Cass, "Right! This so-called 'marriage' is nothing but a sham!"

"Cass - How long has Sergei been living with me?" said Felicia.

"A - couple of weeks." Cass admitted, "But that doesn't mean that the two of you are sleeping together!"

"Oh come now, Casanova!" Felicia turned to the minister, "Shall we get on with it, Reverend?"

"Dearly beloved -"

****

Rachel had no intention of waiting for Jordan Stark to make the next move, so she called his office.

"Did I remember to thank you for returning my ring? I don't know what I'd do without it!"

"It was my pleasure,Rachel." said Stark.

"I'd like to invite you to dinner at my home, this evening." said Rachel, "It's the least I can do."

"Thank you, but NO." said Stark, "I don't care to appear in public."

"Whyever not?"

"If we met face to face, you wouldn't need to ask."

"Then - why don't we meet?" said Rachel, "If you don't want to come to my home, I can come to your office."

"Very well." said Stark, I'll tell Security to let you come straight up."

****

"Hi, Sofia."

"Nick! I missed you!" She held out her hand.

"Oh?" Nick took her hand, briefly, then let go of it.

"I've been lyin' here, thinkin' about Us." said Sofia, "Remember when you and me and your nephews went to Lassiter, lookin' for Vicky?"

"I remember."

"And we stayed in that No Tell Motel, with the mirror on the ceiling over the bed?"

"How could I forget?"

"You know, I was just pretendin' to be asleep when you undressed. Actually - I peeked!"

"Did you?"

"What is it, Nick? What's wrong?"

"Wrong?"

"Why are you so - standoffish?" Sofia demanded, "You don't even want to hold hands! Is it my face? They won't let me see a mirror - am I Ugly?"

"You're beautiful!" said Nick, "You're kind of bruised and battered right now, but you look Great - because you're alive, when you came really close to being dead!"

"Oh Nick, I love you!"

To be continued.