How to Return SqlDataReader and return value (page count) from SPROC

This is my function, it returns SQLDataReader to DATALIST control. Howto return page number with the SQLDataReader set ? sql server 2005,asp.net 2.0

Function get_all_events() As SqlDataReader
Dim myConnection As NewSqlConnection(ConfigurationManager.AppSettings("........."))
Dim myCommand As New SqlCommand("EVENTS_LIST_BY_REGION_ALL", myConnection)
myCommand.CommandType = CommandType.StoredProcedure

Dim parameterState As New SqlParameter("@.State", SqlDbType.VarChar, 2)
parameterState.Value = Request.Params("State")
myCommand.Parameters.Add(parameterState)

Dim parameterPagesize As New SqlParameter("@.pagesize", SqlDbType.Int, 4)
parameterPagesize.Value = 20
myCommand.Parameters.Add(parameterPagesize)

Dim parameterPagenum As New SqlParameter("@.pageNum", SqlDbType.Int, 4)
parameterPagenum.Value = pn1.SelectedPage
myCommand.Parameters.Add(parameterPagenum)

Dim parameterPageCount As New SqlParameter("@.pagecount", SqlDbType.Int, 4)
parameterPageCount.Direction = ParameterDirection.ReturnValue
myCommand.Parameters.Add(parameterPageCount)

myConnection.Open()
'myCommand.ExecuteReader(CommandBehavior.CloseConnection)
'pages = CType(myCommand.Parameters("@.pagecount").Value, Integer)
Return myCommand.ExecuteReader(CommandBehavior.CloseConnection)
End Function

Variable Pages is global integer.

This is what i am calling
DataList1.DataSource = get_all_events()
DataList1.DataBind()

How to return records and also the return value of pagecount ? i tried many options, nothing work. Please help !!. I am struck

please any help ? finally following code works without error, but still not returning any return value (pagecount) along with the list of records.

Dim MyReader As SqlDataReader
Dim myConnection As New SqlConnection(ConfigurationManager.AppSettings("Dx918Aveb8ax81"))
Dim myCommand As New SqlCommand("EVENTS_LIST_BY_REGION_ALL", myConnection)
myCommand.CommandType = CommandType.StoredProcedure

Dim parameterregion As New SqlParameter("@.Region", SqlDbType.VarChar, 5)
parameterregion.Value = Request.Params("reg")
myCommand.Parameters.Add(parameterregion)

Dim parameterPagesize As New SqlParameter("@.pagesize", SqlDbType.Int, 4)
parameterPagesize.Value = 10
myCommand.Parameters.Add(parameterPagesize)

Dim parameterPagenum As New SqlParameter("@.pageNum", SqlDbType.Int, 4)
parameterPagenum.Value = pn1.SelectedPage
myCommand.Parameters.Add(parameterPagenum)

Dim parameterPageCount As New SqlParameter("@.pagecount", SqlDbType.Int, 4)
parameterPageCount.Direction = ParameterDirection.ReturnValue
myCommand.Parameters.Add(parameterPageCount)

myConnection.Open()
MyReader = myCommand.ExecuteReader(CommandBehavior.CloseConnection)
pages = myCommand.Parameters("@.pagecount").Value
DataList1.DataSource = MyReader
DataList1.DataBind()
myCommand.Dispose()
myConnection.Dispose()
Response.Write(pages)

|||Output parameters and return values are not available until after aDataReader is closed (which you should add after your DataBind()).|||thank you. I will try that today!!