From: "mezzosoprano" Date: Sun, 17 Nov 2002 20:12:47 -0000 Subject: Changes by Mezzosoprano Source: direct Title: Changes Author: Mezzosoprano Email: mezzosoprano@blueyonder.co.uk Category: MSR, V Keyword: Missing scene Rating:PG Archiving: Anywhere. Just keep these headers attached, please. Disclaimer: Mulder & Scully, The X Files, Doggett & Reyes, Skinner, Gibson Praise and Deep Throat all belong to CC, 1013 Productions, Fox Tv, and a whole lotta other folks.. but definitely *not* me. No infringement intended, no money being made. Songwords also used without permission - again, no infringement intended, no money being made. Spoilers: Just 'The Truth', I think. Author's Note: How did Scully make the transition from breaking down when Doggett told her of Mulder's 'death sentence', to being resolutely calm and strong on that roadside when they 'sprang him from the joint'? Feedback: All replies guaranteed! Email the above address at your leisure. Summary: Scully leaves her life behind... Changes by Mezzosoprano 'So suddenly, it's clear to me, things change... Our future lies here and now We'll make it through somehow' -Celine Dion, 'The Greatest Reward' Such a simple piece of equipment, the telephone. You pick it up, you dial a number, and you can talk to someone almost anywhere in the world. It can be a thing of joy, bringing people together who are thousands of miles apart. However, as Dana Scully was finding out, it can also be a thing of terror, bringing the most horrible and unwanted news. At times, you'd rush to answer it, your fingers grasping it on the first ring. At other times however, as now, you'd give anything for it not to ring at all. For about an hour now, Scully had sat on the couch and stared at her phone, wanting the news, but equally willing it *not* to ring. Doggett and Reyes sat nearby at the kitchen table, sharing Gibson's company. Scully had opted for the couch because she didn't want to talk, but none of them seemed up for a conversation. Even though she was waiting on it, it was still a surprise to Scully when her phone actually began to ring. Knowing she should answer it (after all, it was *her* phone), she tried to stand; her body had other ideas, however. It knew what was coming, and resolutely refused to move from the couch. Seeing her hesitation, Doggett glanced at Reyes, then walked the short distance from the kitchen to the living room to answer the call. Scully turned her head to look at him as he passed the couch, but still felt unable to move. He picked up the receiver. "Yeah?" Scully watched him, unable to discern anything as his back was to her. A moment later - "Yeah. I'll tell her." Slowly, he replaced the receiver. "Who was that?" she asked, softly. "Skinner," he replied, but made no further move. "Agent Doggett?" Slowly, he turned to face her. Still she waited. Somehow, he made his mouth work and told her. "Death by lethal injection." A full five seconds she stared at him in disbelief, before she broke down. Reyes and Gibson looked on as Doggett tried to placate her, comfort her. He placed his hand on her shoulder, but she shrugged it off. He swallowed, and made his way back to the kitchen. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Mulder wasn't sure if the cell was hot or cold now. He couldn't feel anything. Skinner had stepped out to call Scully, and he was alone. Remembering an earlier conversation with Scully, he wondered if he really *did* know what he was doing; 'cos, right at that moment, it didn't feel like it. Standing up, he strained to see out of the window. What for he didn't know; it was dark outside, he couldn't see anything. He just wanted to *see*. "Mr Mulder." The voice didn't startle him because he knew it, or at least, he used to. Slowly, he turned. Deep Throat emerged from the shadows, just as he had done countless times when he'd been alive. Still, Mulder was wide-eyed. "You're surprised to see me?" "For two reasons. Firstly, you've never come to me before now, and secondly - I was expecting Samantha. Or the Guys." "Samantha can't come to you. Not like this." "Why not? She's dead too. I realised that." "No, she's not. She's somewhere else." "Then..." "She's in the starlight, Mr Mulder. She waits for you there, and you *will* see her again... alas, not yet. You have much to do before that is possible." "Such as?" "There is not much time. Soon, you will leave this place. They are coming for you, and you will leave this place, this life." Mulder's breathing began to quicken. "They're gonna *actually* do it? They're gonna kill me?" "I said you're leaving this life, not this plane of existence. You keep telling Scully you know what you're doing." Mulder laughed a little. "That's more for her benefit than mine." "Ah, but the ironic thing is, Mr Mulder, you *do* know what you're doing. You've actually known all along." "So, what is it?" Suddenly, Mulder needed answers. "Is it the end, or the beginning?" "It is both; but the moment has been prepared for. Watch and wait, Mr Mulder. Watch and wait.." Mulder blinked, and Deep Throat was gone. "Watch and wait," he whispered. "What the hell else can I do?" xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Back at her apartment, Scully was having a conversation with herself, in her head. Lifting her head slightly, she looked around her living room, taking in her surroundings. As soon as she'd asked herself the question, she knew she had her answer. Right at that moment, Gibson turned to look at her. "Miss Scully?" he asked. Scully turned her head. "Why call her 'Miss' Scully?" Reyes asked him. "You've always called her 'Agent' Scully." "Because she isn't 'Agent' Scully now," Gibson answered. "And she never will be again." Doggett and Reyes stared at him, then turned their attention to Scully, who'd gotten up from the couch. "Dana?" asked Reyes. "He's right, Monica. There's things that need to be done now, if Mulder is to be saved. He's got to go again, if he stays this time they'll *really* kill him. But this time... I'm going with him." She swallowed. "For good." "For *what*?" demanded Doggett, incredulously. "I don't know if we could ever come back. I seriously doubt it." "But, what about..." Doggett flapped, looking for something to persuade her to stay. He could think of nothing. Scully walked towards the kitchen to stand with the three of them. "Did you really think that I'd stand by and let them do this to him, that I'd give up?" she asked Doggett. "No," he replied. "I just thought that there was nothing else left that we *could* do." Scully smiled a little, and spoke quietly. "There's *always* something else, John. Whether it works out... that's another matter entirely." Reyes stood up. "What do you want us to do?" she asked. "I want you to get him out of there," Scully replied, stoically. "Any way you can." xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Skinner was in his car on his way back to Scully's apartment. After telling Mulder he'd see him again the following day, he realised he *had* to get back to see her; he was only sorry that he couldn't have given her that kind of news in person. Lost in his thoughts, the ring of his cellphone was a shock. Pulling off the road for a moment, he answered it. "Skinner." "Sir? Where are you right now?" "Scully.... Dana, I-" "We can go through all that later, Sir, just... where are you?" "On my way back to your apartment. I'll be about twenty, twenty-five minutes." "Please hurry. I need your help, now." "With what?" "To save Mulder." "I've done a brilliant job of that already, don't you think?" "Sir, there isn't much time- we're getting him out of there and we need your help. I've already started things at this end, just get back here as soon as you can." "Right. See you soon." Ending the call, he started the engine again and stepped on the gas. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Doggett follwed Scully from room to room as she literally packed up her life. "I've sorta been planning this for some time now," she was explaining to him. "Even years ago, I knew there might be the possibility that we would have to go. I just... I just hoped it would never come to this, that's all." He watched as she sorted out some of her clothes. "Before you and Monica came on the scene, Mulder and I arranged some, em.. contingency plans with the Guys. I'm sorry they're not here to see us put them into action." She looked around the bedroom. "This has been a good apartment. I'll miss it." "You're really never coming back?" he asked, in disbelief. Her gaze fell upon him. "I have to be prepared for that eventuality. I really don't think so." "But, what about your Mother, your family?" A small smile played on her lips. "Well, according to what she said to me the last time we met, I have no Mother." "You know that's not true. She just doesn't understand." "She disowned me, John. I gave away her grandson. You really can't piss your Mother off more than when you give away your children. Anyway..." she swallowed. "My family is in a jail cell at the moment convicted of murder. We have to get moving." Brushing past him, she went to her bedside to lift her bible. "Oh, can you get the box from the shelf in that closet, please?" Doing as he was told, Doggett opened the closet door and reached up for the box. A linen covered box, about the size of a small holdall, tied in blue ribbon. He didn't know what was in the box, but he could guess. "thanks," she smiled, as he gave it to her. She ran her fingers over it, then placed it on the bed with the rest of the belongings she'd be taking with her. "Technically, Mulder *is* a convicted felon. You'd be on the run." "I know." "How can you be so.. so.. upbeat about it?" he wanted to know. She sighed. "Look at it from my point of view, John. If this all works out, Mulder's gonna live. And right now, that's all I care about. Everything else has gone to hell, they've made sure of that. But I have one chance to take the final play away from them. And maybe.. and maybe one final chance for all of us." She paused. "Now, I hope you're okay with that, 'cos I really need your help; but if you're not okay with it I *still* have to do it." He smiled, and shrugged. "Hey, I'm here. Right up 'til the final act, you know that. I just wanna know you'll both be okay." "Don't know that, yet. But this is better than the alternative, believe me. Listen, I can never thank you enough, for when Mulder was missing, when I was pregnant. You and Monica-" "No thanks needed, Dana. Sounds stupid I know, but it kinda feels like what we're here for now. What we're supposed to do." "Fate?" she asked. He smiled uneasily. "Somethin' like that." "And don't think this is all you're here for. You're also here for each other, don't forget that." He actually blushed, and turned away. "Don't know what you mean." "Come on, John. I've seen the way you look at each other. So, this is my last piece of advice to you, should you choose to take heed of it: don't waste any time. Be together. It sickens me when I think of how much time Mulder and I wasted. Forget the Bureau and other peoples' reactions and opinions. I finally realised that it didn't matter that much back then and it sure as hell doesn't matter in the least now. Be there for each other, and look after each other." "You got it." He grinned at her, and was overcome with the urge to hug her; but before he got the chance, she hugged him first. "And you look after each other too." She blinked away tears as she answered him. "That comes naturally." A moment or two later, Doggett let her go and helped her scoop up her belongings from the bed. One last look around her bedroom, then she left, closing the door firmly behind her. They deposited her stuff on the couch, just as Monica came out of the bathroom with Dana's toiletries. Gibson was making some sandwiches for the trip. "You okay?" Monica asked Dana. "Yeah; I'll be better when Skinner gets back and the three of you can get going. Mulder must be thinking I'm sitting on my backside doing sod all." "You know he's *not* thinking that." "I know. I hate to think what he *is* thinking, though." Monica nodded, and gave Dana her toilet bag. "Thanks." Just then, there was a knock at the door. "There he is. Can you let him in, John?" "Sure thing," he answered, and checked the spy-hole just to be safe. It was indeed Skinner. Doggett opened the door. "Agent Doggett. Where is she?" "Sir?" came the voice from the kitchen, where Dana was getting a drink of water. Skinner strode over to her. "I have just one question for you. I mean, I assume we're getting him out?" Dana nodded. "Right. Well... are you sure about this? I mean, *really* sure?" "Yes, Sir," she replied firmly. "I've never been more sure of anything in my life." "That's all I needed to hear," Skinner admitted. "Right. Let's go over the finer details and get moving." xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Fifteen minutes later, Skinner, Doggett and Reyes were ready to leave in Scully's transporter. She would follow on shortly with Gibson in Skinner's car. "So everybody's clear about what's happening here?" Scully wanted to know. The other three nodded. "Monica, take any furniture you like. Sell the rest. I'll leave it to you and John to pack up the apartment. Sir, you'll take the fish?" She looked over again at the tank. "I'll feed them every day, I promise," Skinner replied. "Right. Oh, and Monica... should my Mom or any of the family want.. anything.." "If need be, I'll explain," Monica assured her. "Even if things were different, you couldn't go to her now. I know that." Dana nodded. "Well... you three had better get going. I woudn't put it past those guards to do something to him while none of us are there..." Doggett nodded, and the three of them made for the door. Skinner was last out and, with a last smile at Scully, closed the door behind him. "Miss Scully?" Scully turned to see Gibson standing with her coat, holding it out to her. Smiling, she took it from him, and put it on. "You want to take a last look around before you go." It was a statement. No point in actually asking the question, he knew. She nodded, and ventured over to the kitchen. "I had good times here," she said. "Bad times too, but the good times always outweighed them. Mulder saw to that." Moving slowly, she stepped back to the living room. "It's time to go," Gibson told her. "But I know there's one last room you want to say goodbye to." Scully looked at him and nodded, her eyes brimming with tears. Passing Mulder's fishtank (which she drew her fingertips lovingly across), she found herself at the door of the nursery. Taking a deep breath, her hand found its way to the handle and she opened the door and went in. It had been packed up more or less for some weeks now, but the crib was still there, and of course, the wallpaper still adorned the walls. Going over to the crib, she leaned over and dropped her hand inside, stroking the bottom of it. "I still miss you," she whispered to the empty room. "I always will." With that, she stood up and left the room, closing the door behind her. Gibson stood in the living room with a small holdall; Scully took it from him. And Suddenly, she spun right back thirty-odd years. Her Father had finished a posting and they'd packed up the house, ready to move on. But it was different. There was no hustle and bustle, she couldn't hear her Father's voice yelling at Bill Jr to carry one of the cases. She couldn't hear her Mother's voice calling for her and Melissa and Charlie to hurry up. All she could see were the memories of her grown-up life. All she could hear were voices relating to her work and career, and she realised suddenly that she hadn't really let her family life inside this apartment. Out of all her siblings, Melissa had been the only one to visit. Her Dad had been to her old apartment, but not this one. Still, she had loved here, laughed here, cried here... and almost died here. "And now, it really is time to go," she spoke aloud. Ushering Gibson out of the door, she took one last look at her apartment before she closed and locked the door, the keys to be given to Monica. Even to the last, she stayed true to her own traditions, and did the last thing little Dana Scully usually did when the Scully family moved to a new post. "'Bye house," she whispered. Then, checking the lock was on, she pulled the door shut behind her for the last time, and followed Gibson down the hall. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx "You'll be okay with John and Monica," Scully told Gibson as she drove. "They'll look after you." "As much as they can," countered Gibson. "There are no guarantees - with *anything* now. Isn't that right?" "I guess," Scully admitted, reluctantly. "But, I want to believe that this can work, Gibson. It has to work. If it doesn't work, then I lose Mulder again. They take him away from me again - for good this time. I won't let that happen." "I know," he told her. "That's the only thought you have right now - of him." She nodded, and then made to pull in. "We're here," she told him. Bringing the car to a standstill, Scully switched off the ignition and they got out. "Are you scared?" he asked her. "You don't seem scared." "No, I'm not scared. I'd be scared if I couldn't help Mulder, if we couldn't get him out. I'd be scared if I was doing this on my own. But, if we're together, I'm not scared. Not at all." "When he was in New Mexico with me, he wasn't scared. He was only frightened for you. For what you might be going through." Scully nodded and smiled. "That's it exactly. If we're together, there's nothing much left to fear." Just then, Gibson's head came up. "They're here; I can hear Mulder. He's asking for you." "I know," she smiled. "I can feel him." And as she saw her transporter come around the bend in the road, and she saw him in the front passenger seat, she had one thought: The end