From: ephemeral@ephemeralfic.org Date: 1 Jan 2002 22:18:50 -0000 Subject: Anticipating (1/1) by DSc1110 Source: direct Reply To: dsc1110@vvm.com Anticipating (1/1) Author: DSc1110 dsc1110@hotmail.com or dsc1110@vvm.com http://www.geocities.com/saddledreams Rating: PG for one little imagery, otherwise G all the way Spoilers: Set in Season 9 MSR, 1st/3rd person POV (you'll see what I mean) Summary: But now was not the time. So, for tonight, he simply watched. Watched and waited. Disclaimer: Do you REALLY think they're mine? If they were, this scenario would never HAVE to happen. Feedback/Distribution: PWEEEEEEASE!?!? I lurve feedback. And if you want it, take it. Just let me know so I can link back to ya! Author Notes: Possibly one of the shortest fics I've ever written. It was meant to be a scene in a larger piece, but I thought it worked alone. Yes, others have done it, but this is my spin on the same theme. Plus, it's been so long since I wrote, I figured it was a good way to dip my toes back into the fic pool. I dedicate this to everyone who's been behind me to write again. Those people who's subtle comments were indeed all noticed. Specific thanks to Angie for her on-going friendship, support, and amazing editing skills. Love ya girl! Also thanks to Stephanie for being that last kick in the butt to write something. And finally to Pers... who has no idea that she was my "inspiration" to write this. Our discussion of 1st person POV fics versus 3rd person POV fics gave me the idea to do this. A couple notes at the end... ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ He watched her through high-power binoculars, aching to go to her. He waited with anticipation for the day he could hold her again. He had played every scenario possible over and over again in his mind; it was the one thing that had kept him sane. But now was not the time. So, for tonight, he simply watched. Watched and waited. She sat at her computer, red hair twisted up, a few strands falling free around her face. There was a white glare from the monitor reflected on the glasses perched upon her nose. She typed quickly, her lips pursing now and then about something she wrote. She turned slightly, revealing that her short-sleeved black button down shirt was unbuttoned. The black, lacy bra was exposed just enough to draw his attention and imagination. He remembered a night that seemed to be a lifetime ago, when the black bra was not only revealed, but eventually discarded onto the floor along with all their other clothes. Her sudden movement towards the interior of her apartment drew him out of his reverie before he could go much further. She stood from the desk and walked towards whatever had grabbed her attention. He shifted his weight, hoping to get a better look into the apartment. However, from the angle he was at, he'd been doing good to see what he had. After about ten minutes, she did return. On her approach he noticed she was wearing blue jeans, something she rarely did but also something he could appreciate. She sat down, and the bundle in her arms brought a proud smile to his lips. William. He mouthed the name to himself. The boy had grown a fairly decent head of dark hair since he'd last seen him, and was dressed in a pair of pale blue pajamas, the kind with the feet. Scully held him up facing her. She was talking to him, and then pulled him in to give him several kisses before pulling him back and talking to him again. She repeated doing it several times as William kicked and grinned at her. Mulder could almost hear the child's squeals of laughter. He felt a little guilty intruding on this time between mother and son, but he was enthralled. He'd seen pictures of his son, smuggled to him through various sources, but this was his first chance to see the boy in real-time since the day he'd left so many months before. He was beautiful. So was Scully. She was more beautiful to him now than ever before. A bit curvier, yet still trim and fit. The few pictures he'd gotten of her had shown him that her hair was longer, and though she seemed weary from doing everything -- work and parenting -- alone, there was a glow to her. Motherhood looked good on her. He wondered if fatherhood would do the same for him. Some insecurities had found their way into his mind in the past few weeks, as his return to his family neared. Would he be a good father? Would William like him? Would he even get to be a father? The last question, he knew, was ridiculous. He and Scully had promised to raise William together once he was able to return to them. But, nonetheless, the fear was there. As his thoughts had turned inwards, he'd missed her turn William around to sit in her lap, draped over her arm. The boy watched the monitor as his mother clicked away at things with her mouse, and the occasional word typed on the keyboard caused him to reach for the buttons himself. He was amazed at how she never looked down from what she was doing, but always knew when to pull the curious fingers back before any damage was done to her work. After the forth or fifth time it happened, though, William's face began to get red as the tears began to build. Mulder watched as, finally, the sobbing began. He ached to reach out and pull the boy into his arms, ready to take him into another room to play while Mommy finished her work. Instead, Scully calmly picked William up, turned him around, and laid him over her shoulder. Her lips pursed as she shushed him, and then began to talk to him again. After a few minutes, one toy, and a few laps around the living room, the tantrum was forgotten. He once again sat contentedly with his mother, holding the toy in his hands, talking to it. She continued her work. She'd type for awhile, then stop to read whatever was on the screen. Occasionally, she'd drop a kiss on top of the dark head in her lap. It was a sweet image. One Mulder was burning into his mind and onto his heart. William began to fall asleep. The toy fell from his hands into Scully's lap, his little head drooping forward. She glanced down at the dead weight over her arm with a small smile. She took her glasses off and laid them on the desk as she stood up carefully. She turned William onto his back, cradling him. She kissed his forehead and turned away from the window. She was only gone for a few minutes, before she returned once again to the desk. William, Mulder assumed, was tucked into bed, and she was now carrying a glass of what looked like wine. She'd also changed into one of his old sweatshirts. He grinned at the sight. He wasn't there, and yet something of his wrapped all around her, keeping her warm. He liked that. Scully sat down, but didn't pull the chair up to the desk right away. Instead, she sat back and closed her eyes. She sighed and rolled her neck. She set the glass down, and sat very still with her head down. Lonely. That was the only way to describe the sight before him. The image blurred as his eyes filled with tears. At the same time, she sat up, wiping her cheeks. She reached over and turned the monitor off. After placing the papers that littered the desk into a briefcase, Scully picked up the glass, her glasses and shut off the light. In the glow from the streetlight, Mulder could see her standing, staring out the window into the darkness for a few seconds. She stood so very still, not moving a muscle. She didn't blink. She didn't twitch. She didn't even seem to breathe. She just stared. Eventually, though, she turned slowly and went deep into the apartment. Mulder stood just as still as she had. He continued to stare until well after all the lights in the apartment had gone dim. "Soon," he whispered into the night. "I'll be back soon." ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ A couple final notes. Before anyone jumps on me about the wine thing and breast feeding... I never said it was indeed wine, just that it looked like it. That's all. LOL Now send me some feedback. LOL Completed: December 30, 2001