From: "Dream Cole" Date: Sat, 11 Mar 2000 16:22:21 CST Subject: xfc: NEW: Coping (1 of 1) PG Source: xfc From: "Dream Cole" Title: Coping Author: Dream Cole E-mail: dreamcole@hotmail.com Rating: PGish. Classifications: V, S/Other, MS friendship Spoilers: None. But I'm ignoring any episode that said Scully could not have children. So you can say it didn't happen or there was some miracle between then and now. Summary: It's hard to cope when times are such as these. Disclaimer: I don't own em. I'd like to, but I don't. Notes: This is a departure for me: I would normally *never* set up one of our heroes with someone else. But I got this idea from someone else and it just came together. It's helped me get back on track (life has been hectic) and hopefully I'll have time to write more. Thanx Meg! WARNING: This is NOT part of the Dream Series, the two are in no way connected. Coping It was obvious. I knew my life would never be normal and therefore I never expected it to be. It's not that I never wished it were- that I was the perfect example of an American family, with a wife, 2.5 kids and a pet or two. It's just that it's not in my genes and I had accepted it and moved on. I just never envisioned those to be the dreams of my best friend and it took me by surprise once I realized it. It made my life harder, but really, was I to expect anything different? It all started in the office. The basement. We had worked together for so many years I couldn't even begin to keep track. We made a great team and were so proud of it. For a while I had been staying out of trouble, making Scully proud, and we had a steady stream of cases to keep me interested and occupied. Then the bomb was dropped on me. "Mulder, I was wondering... Would you give me away at my wedding?" Her voice, always so soft, barely caught my attention and at first I thought I had dreamt it. Then I looked at her and saw that her eyes were focused intently on mine, desperatly awaiting my answer. I had to backtrack the past minute to try to remember what she had asked me. Wait a minute- her wedding? She was getting married? I remembered her mentioning going out on a couple of dates or something, but I never thought they were serious. Come to think of it, maybe I should've checked my mailbox more often. She probably sent out wedding invitatiosn. Then, maybe I would have a clue as to what she was talking about and might not be sitting here with my jaw dropped, clueless. Okay, so the question. Um, she wanted me to give her away. *Me* to give *her* away? Wow. I mean, it's obviously such a nice gesture, but could I really handle that. Standing up there, watching as she goes off and marries some *jerk*. No, she wouldn't marry a jerk. She could beat him up if he was ever mean to her. *Breathe, Mulder, breathe.* Well, what could I do? Of course I had to say yes, or else risk losing my best friend and the only partner that has ever helped me stay in line. So, I turned to her, looked into this gorgeous blue eyes longingly, and sigh. "Of course." Her relief and joy that I had agreed lasted me a few days. Later came the wedding, an uncomfortable affair (on my part) which ended with the only person who knows me better than myself off on her honeymoon with another guy while I drink myself into oblivion and flipped through television stations. As if that weren't bad enough. But I survived and Scully (she kept her last name, thank god) came back, ready to work. And she never mentioned a thing. It's as if the whole thing never happened, which was fine by me. True, she did leave earlier for home and she wasn't as willing to go out on cases in the middle of the night, but other than that, we were just like we used to. So, of course, something had to change. It was a couple of years into the marriage. She had quit drinking coffee. Her clothes were less form-fitting (yes, I do notice) and she had that "Back off" attitude full time. *Boom* "I'm pregnant." I beg your pardon? I can't deal with this, I'm sorry. Stick me in a mental institution and call me crazy, I cannot handle you having a child with that man. Oh, excuse me, your husband. Like I could stop it. She had the child, left a few months prior to her delivery and went on maternity leave. She left me. She left me for more important things. Okay, now I'm being silly. But what can I say? For those months I was stuck with a green agent who knew nothing about the X-files, but plenty about me and my reputation. They didn't last long. Luckily Scully's coming back soon. But today is the christening of Scully's new daughter. I'm the godfather (like there was any stipulation to the contrary), even though I know I will most definatly influence this child in ways Scully is dreading. But I will try not to, because it's Scully's daughter. As much as I try to hate both Scully and her new kid, I can't. It's Scully. She's my best friend. So now here I am. Sitting on this perfect couch, in this perfect living room, holding this perfect child. What am I, blind? This baby is just perfect. Serenity. That's her name. Because that's what you feel just looking at her, just holding her. And because, Scully explained to me, that's what she finally feels. Surrounded by the two men she loves the most (her husband and I) and the baby she has loved since she was created. I guess I can handle this. I mean, so what if my life isn't perfect? This is as close as I'll ever get. Author's Note: Feedback! I live off it. Please? I'm getting really skinny these days! Lol.