From: JoAnn Medrano Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 19:04:28 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Fox and Dana XXXV: The Birth Source: revision Title: Fox and Dana XXXV: The Birth Author: Jo Ann Medrano Address: agentsinlove@yahoo.com Rated: PG Category: S Spoilers: Pilot, Monday, Demons Keyword: Mulder/Scully Married Summary: The events leading to the birth of the Mulders' first child... Archive: Please don't archive on any site without permission from the author. Disclaimer: The characters of the X-Files do not belong to me. They are the property of Chris Carter, 1013 Productions and Fox Broadcasting. Winnie/Pooh Bear belong to Disney, Co. No copyright infringement is intended. My many thanks to the following, Chris Carter, Gillian Anderson, David Duchovny and all who work on the X-Files. http://www.agentsinlove.com/ Fox and Dana: The Birth Sunday, March 25, 2001... Fox Mulder sat in the hospital room holding the newborn in his arms. A slight sound escaped the tiny lips of his son, who was born no more than four hours ago. Weighing in a good size of eight pounds and two ounces, David William Mulder entered the world healthy, strong and letting all who were around him know his disapproval of leaving the warmth of his mother's womb. A quiet bond was developing as Fox studied and touched his son's face with his fingertip, tracing the softness of the baby's skin. His mind so absorbed in his task, he did not notice he was being watched by his wife who did not want to disturb him. Resting in bed, Dana Mulder cherished the image before her. Her smile did not stop, as she remembered meeting Fox Mulder eight years ago. Down in the basement of the FBI Headquarters, telling her that he was 'the FBI's most unwanted'. All the memories could never compare to what was before her. Knowing now, he was very much wanted by those who loved him. Suddenly feeling her eyes upon him, Fox smiled at her as he lifted himself with their son off the chair to her bed. " I didn't mean to hog him... " Fox said as he place the baby into Dana's arms. " No big deal... " Dana brought their son close to her. As tired as she was, Dana could never get enough of her baby. Feeling, talking and loving him as she had done the moment she knew of his existence in her body, could not prepare Dana when she heard his first cry and felt the doctor placed him on her chest for her to see. The reality of her child had left her speechless as she touched him to believe he was real. The hours of labor, the pain of his delivery, even the exhaustion of her body were forgotten when her newborn son gripped her thumb with his eyes that seemed to stare upon her and looked deep into her soul. " David... " The one word escaped her. The sudden feeling of another presence, Dana turned to see her husband whose own face bared the same wonder as her own. His fingers touching the hand of their son who continued to hold on to her thumb, brought such a connection no words could describe... xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx The Mulders' Apartment: A Week Ago... " Fox... " " Whaa..?!! What?!!! What?!!! " Fox Mulder bolted to sitting position. His eyes were wide opened and his mind alert. The list of things that needed to be done! The people he needed to call! Where the fuck were his clothes?!!! " You're going to be late for work... Get up! " Dana gave him a hard shove. " Fuck, Dana... " " Excuse me?! " " Nothing... " " Fine... Don't even think I would want to FUCK with you either!! " Dana tried to row away, but let out an angry grunt. " Fox, will you please help me get up!! " " All right... " Slipping out of his side of the bed, Fox carefully brought Dana to her feet and was quickly shoved out of the way. " I got to pee!! I got to pee!! " Dana wobbled into the bathroom as Fox let his body fall back onto the bed. Pulling the blankets over his head, Fox did not hear Dana coming back to the bedroom with his snoring giving him away. " Fox!! " Dana pulled the blankets off of him. " Dana, are you in labor..? " " No... not that I wouldn't want to be... " Dana rested her hands on her stomach. " Fox, you're going to be late for work... " " Go away, Dana... " Fox's pouting last only a few seconds when the pillow hit his head... xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Her fingers guided along the rail of the crib that stood empty in the nursery. The room was ready for the baby and it was decorated with Winnie the Pooh assortments that were based on the classic design. Dana loved those stories when she was a young child. Her mother read the stories to her and her siblings before bedtime. She remembered reading the stories to her younger brother Charlie as she pretended he was her child. Sharing the same stories to him, as did their mother to her. Rearranging the stuffed Pooh bear in the crib, Dana brought it toward her and kissed the tip of its nose. It was the first thing Fox bought for the baby and it helped her decided how she wanted the room to be decorated. Remembering how Fox disappeared when they walked through the airport to return to the case in New Mexico after their failed attempt to get married the first time in Las Vegas. Dana turned her back for one second when Fox was gone. Through the crowd she searched for him, swinging her head side to side. She was going to kill him for taking off like that when he was suddenly next to her again. Before she could say one word, Fox reached into the plastic bag he was holding. " Do you think the baby will like this? " Fox asked, showing her the Pooh bear he had bought. Seeking her approval, Dana smiled and took the bear from him. " The baby's going to love it... " Dana hugged the bear tight to her stomach. Placing the bear back into the corner, Dana gave the crib a gently shake. It was amusing watching Fox put it together. Not wanting anyone's help, his cursing could be heard throughout the apartment with the hours passing as he worked in the nursery. When the pieces were finally placed together, Fox showed off his hard work to Dana and her mother. Proud of his efforts, Dana placed her hand on the rail of the crib when it suddenly fell to the side. Seeing his face fall with it, Dana and her mother helped Fox put the crib back together. Looking around the room, Dana laughed when she remembered that there was more paint on her and Fox than there was on the walls. The day the room was completed, Dana walked in to find Fox laying on the floor with the Pooh Bear on his stomach. " What are you doing? " Dana asked. " Do you really think the baby will be all right in here? " Fox asked without looking at her. " What if he gets lonely..? Maybe the baby should sleep with us for a while..? " " Well, I'm not against that idea, but we really don't need to create any bad habits... You don't want an eighteen- year-old sleeping with us? " Dana rested in the rocking chair near him. " Not if he doesn't want any brothers or sisters... " Fox rolled over and handed Dana the Pooh Bear. " I think it will be all right... I remember sleeping with my mom a few times except when my dad was there... I even remember sleeping with her after Samantha was born... I liked it. It was nice having her near me... " " Well, I always suspected you were a Momma's boy, Fox. " Dana teased. " Only up until Sam was gone... My mom didn't want me near her after that... At least that's what I thought, I'm not sure anymore... " " It's all over now, baby... " Dana caressed his hair. " It's a shame my dad couldn't enjoy being a father... He missed out on a lot... " " I'm sure my father would have preferred not to miss a thing... " " I don't want to miss anything... but there is so much work to be done... Nothing ever ends, it keeps going no matter what we uncover... " " I know, Fox... All we could do is slow it down... " " Have we really? Sometimes I wonder if we do any good? Sometimes I think we should stop... Enjoy ourselves with the baby and if the world ends, at least we'll be together... " " It's hard to live with the knowledge... Of not wanting to give our child a future... " " That's what makes me not want to give up the fight... but I'm going to be here, Dana... I'm not going to let myself miss out on our child growing up... I don't want the kid to think I'm just some stranger who sleeps with Mommy... " " I'll be sure to make a 'Daddy' sign for you to wear around your neck... " " Oh, that will help... " Bringing himself closer to her, Fox rested his chin on the rocker's armrest and placed his right hand on Dana's stomach. " Do you really think the baby's a boy? " " With all my heart... " " Can I call him 'David', too? I hear you all the time talking to the baby by his name... I wanna do it, too... " " I didn't think you heard me... " Dana blushed. " You know me, radar ears... " Fox brought his body toward Dana and began to caress her stomach. " That's right, David, not only are you half Irish, you're half bat, too... " Feeling the outline of the life growing inside of her, Fox kissed Dana simply because he loved her. Resting his head on her pregnant stomach, Fox listened to the sounds he was sure his son was making... xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Punching the programmed number on his cell phone, Fox Mulder waited for the voice on the other end. " No, I'm not in labor yet, Fox... " Dana answered. " Very funny, what if it wasn't me..? " " Then I would have been embarrassed and hung up the phone... How did the meeting go? " " Like always... I pissed a few off, and managed to keep my job... What else is new, huh? " " I take it Skinner wasn't pleased with your accounts of the investigation? " " No, he wasn't... and wasn't too please that I got you involved as well... " " Now how could that be, when I'm home pregnant with your child? " " This is Dana I'm talking to, right? " " Yes, it is, you shit... when can I expect you home? " " Look out the front window and wave... " Moving the drapes to the side, Dana peered through the window in time to see her husband's car drive by as he blew a kiss to her while holding his cell phone. " You better be careful how you drive, Fox... " " I'll be in a moment and you can watch me masturbate... " Fox joked. " Not in front of the baby... " Dana teased. " We'll throw a towel over your stomach, he'll never know... " xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Somewhere In The United States... Lighting a cigarette, he counted the days as the due date had passed. Like his son, his grandchild was overdue. It was a situation that worked out perfect for his son's birth, fooling the idiot Bill Mulder even more to believe that Fox was his child. What a damn fool he was. Yet, he continued to lie for Bill. Painting a false image of the man that he was not. Enough that the damn fools who died would believe in. Bill Mulder the Great was nothing more than a weak link compared to the strength in his line. Save for the miserable excuse of a son Jeffrey had once been, his other son Fox had been his pride since the beginning. The child that would come from his son would be as great as the line that would produce him. A Grandson. The information from the metal implant confirmed the sex of the child sometime ago. He imagined the baby looking much like his father did when he was an infant. A beautiful baby as he recalled. Every chance he had he would hold him. Secretly telling Fox of his love for him, saving him for a short time away from Bill Mulder's rage and spent those moments with his son that he would always cherish. A knock on the door brought him out of his thoughts. " Come in... " His dry voice spoke. Walking in with the assurance he always possessed, Alex Kryeck stood before him. " Glad you could make it, Alex... " " So what petty job do you have for me now? " " No job is petty... certainly not what I ask of you... " " Not interested in taking pictures... I have more important work to do than to photograph how big Dana Mulder's stomach is... " " Quite true... Still, you're always the best at the jobs you do... " " Spare me the bullshit, pal... What the hell do you want? " " Merely to talk... I understand congratulations are in order for you... You have done a fair job of hiding your daughter... " " I don't know what you're talking about... " " Please, Alex... Dana Mulder isn't the only one who is photogenic... " Tossing a photograph on the table for Krycek to see, of him holding an infant girl in his arms. " She's quite beautiful... " Looking back at the man, Krycek simply answered. " She's not mine... " " It's a shame, you didn't bring her sooner to us, Alex, when she was still inside of her mother... The vaccine would have protected her... " " Just like your grandchild... " Lifting his eyebrows, he gave an unquestionable stare at Krycek as he placed the cigarette back in his mouth. " I'm not the only one here, who can play the game of denial... " Krycek gave him a huge smile... xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Saturday, March 24th: The Mulders' Apartment... Putting one large 'X' across the date of March 23rd, Fox Mulder stood back and frowned at the calendar that hung on the wall in his office at home. Already ten days overdue, Fox's desire to be done with the pregnancy was testing his patience. Nine months was enough, not wanting these extra weeks to torment him and most of all Dana, who looked more miserable with each passing day. With one false alarm, two days ago, the doctor sent them home, shaking his head and reminded them to be patient. Fox felt as if the doctor was mocking Dana, whose skill as physician should have better prepared her to understand the exact moment of labor. There had to be a way to make pregnancy more manageable. It was a shame that humans were not more like insects where they could plop the egg in a corner and a few days later out came a baby already potty-trained and asking what he or she could do around the house. It didn't work that way in nature for humans. Though the science of man succeeded into ways to avoid the role of motherhood. It was never a course of action, that neither Fox nor Dana would take. Not with the end results they both witnessed through their partnership in the FBI. Throwing the pen down hard on his desk, Fox found being homebound left him wired. Having step aside from an active case because he didn't want to be away from Dana left him pouting silently to himself. It wasn't so much that he forced himself to be home. It was the desire to have it all done with. There was no reason for the baby to be late. They had done everything by the book and then some. Popping in one of his old porn videos, Fox sat on the leather couch and fast forward to his favorite scene in the movie. Not having sex in over two months had Fox dusting off his video collection and sneaking quietly into his office so no would catch him jacking off. Dana did not mind helping him but jokes aside, Fox actually found it hard to be turned on with his unborn child being in the same room with layers of flesh and fat separating him from his parents. Fox imagined Dana's belly button now being like a periscope for the baby to peek out to the world and to see dear old Dad finishing off in front of him. The image of that caused Fox to laugh. He knew his imagination was way off, but still he was uncomfortable about it. Just as he was with the birthing video, he and Dana along with other expecting couples in the birthing class had to view. It took all his strength not to want to throw up or run out of the room at the videos they were shown. He had seen just about every appalling forms of monstrosity done to the human body. Even the births that were shown in nature programs did not bother him. Yet, to see human baby being born with all the blood and disgust that came with it, made Fox wonder if he could handle it when it was Dana's turn. Hearing the scratching on the door, Fox turned to see his cat, Rat begging to be let out of the room. " Don't like the movie... huh, girl? " Fox smiled at the feline. A resounding meow answered him back, a sure sign the cat needed to go. Holding the door for her, Fox watched as Rat dashed to the bathroom. From where he stood, he could see the cat positioning herself over the uncovered toilet bowl to relieve herself. Fox grinned with pride from teaching Rat how to use the toilet bowl. He was glad to be rid of the litter box. Where he imagined his baby crawling to, and digging his hands into and... Fox shrugged his shoulders as he made a face. Just thought of it caused repulse in him. Thank God, Rat was a smart cat and got the hang of it right away. Before closing the door, Fox listened for any sound coming from the bedroom where Dana was resting. Having spent yesterday with her mother at the mall, they had walked up and down trying hard to convince the baby it was time to be born. Once he was sure he heard no sounds, Fox closed the door and got back to the video playing on the television... xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Dana noticed the time on the digit clock. Fifteen minutes had now passed since she felt the last pain. With her hand on her stomach rubbing gently, Dana tried to calm herself. All the education, knowledge and the only baby she ever delivered could not prepare her for what she felt her body was now going through. Breathing slowly, Dana again looked at the clock. The minutes and seconds ticked away too slowly... xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Tossing his jeans to the side, Fox cursed himself out for the mess he made. Debating whether to go to the bedroom for a clean pair of pants Fox decided to forget about it. He didn't want to take the chance of waking Dana up and having to explain why his bottom was bare. It wasn't like it was going to turn her on or anything. Fox wondered how much they would lose in their sex lives because of the baby. Having been spoiled these past two years, the sudden idea of them not expressing their sexuality in the freedom he had grown to love could now be limited to the bedroom with the door locked and an ear out for the kid. Stretching out on the leather couch and the remote control in his hand, Fox surfed the channels until he found a movie that he liked. Folding his arms cross his chest, Fox watched the movie until he glanced up at his desk where the frame picture of him and Dana stared back at him. It was taken when they had honeymooned up at the summer house in Quonochontaug during the Labor Day weekend last year... xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Quonochontaug, Rhode Island... Dana Mulder felt the splash of water as her husband brushed near her side. Not wanted her in the lake because of her condition, Fox Mulder soon relaxed and played water tag with his lovely bride, diving beneath her and pulling on her legs. The fresh crisp air filled their lungs with each breath they took. The scent of the forest surrounded them and cleared them of the pollution from the city. The lake near their summer home had been so inviting that resisting it was more than Fox could take as he jumped into the water from the dock with his wife following behind him. " Dana, don't jump!! " Fox turned back before she could get into the water. " Fox... " Dana simply shook her head. " Come here, let me help you in... " Fox pushed his body closer to the dock. Guiding Dana gently in, the water engulfed her body within the coolness of the lake. The sudden warmth of his body pressed against hers, Dana kissed Fox for being such a big help. The Labor Day weekend brought the usual crowd into the area of Quonochontaug but the privacy was theirs even with the many vacationers seen in the distant of the shore. " Fox!! " Dana again felt the tug on her leg by him. Trying to give a good push with her foot, Fox suddenly appeared by her side with a shower of water over Dana. " You, Fuck!! " She smacked his shoulder. All he did was laugh leaving his smile in place. Fox loved his wife, something he always imagined he would call Dana one day. Looking toward the shoreline to the summer house, that had been his parents, Fox inherited the home from his father as well as other properties from his estate. The house in Martha's Vineyard, several apartment complexes his father owned and much to Fox's surprise, a house in California in the Hollywood Hills area. Not knowing his father had traveled to the West Coast, Fox learned the house was occupied by a woman his father had known for several years. He did not want to know the details of their relationship nor did the woman want to share. She moved out of the house without any fuss when Fox had it and the apartment complexes sold. Yet, the house in Martha's Vineyard and the summer home in Quonochontaug, Fox could not bring himself to give up. Though he had planned to sell them, Fox dragged his feet too long until the thought of ridding himself of them came to pass. Now being here with Dana, made him glad he did not sell the two houses. The summer house now had a new meaning for Fox. It no longer felt like the place where the ghosts of the past haunted him. It was now a place for him and his family to spend their vacations at. To allow his children to have the fond memories of this place like he did. Unlike the home he grew up in, Fox remembered the summer house as a place where he was happy. He and his sister enjoyed themselves with the company of their parents and their friends. Whatever disturbed the adults that were around him was left behind. The danger the world was in was forgotten through the embrace of Quonochontaug. The house his father lived in until his death, Fox decided it would be their other home to vacation in. The quiet surrounding was the perfect place for him and his family just as the summer home was. It was the legacy his father left him and for a time Fox hated. The money he inherited as well as the property left a dry taste in his mouth. Made by the cruelty of the Project his father was involved in, Fox did not to want to touch the hated money and left it to grow in the bank. Caring for his own finances he earned through his job at the FBI. Not even the thought of using his inherit when the mysterious waterbed flooded his bedroom at his old apartment, Fox showed his independence and handled the cost without using his father's dirty money. Now wanting to give Dana and their unborn child the best, Fox put the money he inherited to good use. Reinvesting and setting trust funds for the future, Fox allowed himself the luxury the money would give to them and gave Dana the freedom to spend the money to her pleasure. Though Dana felt odd spending someone else's money, with Fox's encouraging her, she bought a new wardrobe for herself. Still she made the point to buy everything on sale. Deciding to stay at the summer home for the Labor Day weekend was not the honeymoon Fox wanted to give to Dana but it was what she wanted. Only having been there once when she came to help Mulder fight his demons, Dana wanted to enjoy the beauty Fox had described to her whenever he talked about his summers there as a child. When they arrived to the summer house, Fox insisted on carrying Dana over the threshold, just as he had done a few weeks earlier when they returned home from being married in Las Vegas. Fox also insisted upon bringing their pet cat, Rat with them. Not wanting to leave her in someone else's care, Fox wanted to teach Rat to be a traveling cat. Much to his hopes and Dana's surprise, Rat took to traveling as if she was going after a fly, sheer enjoyment for the feline. After removing the covers and dusting the furniture, Fox stretched out on the couch as the memories flooded back to him. " We should get rid of all this stuff... " Fox smiled at Dana. " Make this place our own... " " I say let's get started now... " Dana brought her body upon his and kissed him passionately on the lips. Being suddenly hit by a splash of water, Fox closed his eyes as he heard his beloved laughing at him. " That's it! I had enough!! " Dana pushed her body away from him and swam for the shore. " I'm not done... " Fox protested. " Stay in the water, if you want... I'm tried of being wet... " Dana called back to him. Watching her walk back to land, Fox loved the tightness the wet bathing suit had against Dana's body. Though Fox wished Dana had put on the two-piece instead of the one piece, she was still a knockout to believe. Not yet three months pregnant, Dana was already self- conscious about her figure. After toweling herself dry, she threw on her terry cloth robe that swallowed her body whole. Sitting down on one of the lounging chairs they brought from the house, Dana made herself comfortable as she watched her husband play in the water. " DANA!! DANA, WATCH ME!!! " Fox waved to her. " FOX, DON'T DO ANYTHING STUPID!! " Dana shouted back to him, but he had already plunged back into the water. Shaking her head, Dana kept an eye on where Fox had disappeared and waited for him to resurface. It was taking him longer then it should. " Fox..? " Dana stood up and moved toward the lake, her eyes never leaving the spot where he had dived. " Oh, God... " Dana was about to reenter the water when a wet Fox Mulder suddenly jumped at her. " BOO!! " He shouted. Nearly fell back, Fox reached over and pulled Dana against his wet body. " YOU SHIT!! YOU SCARED ME!! " She yelled at him. " I'm sorry... " Fox puckered his lips, but let out a yelp when Dana smacked him on her favorite spot. Racing back to the lounge chair, Fox plopped onto the chair next to Dana. Making himself comfortable, he stretched out to take her hand. " Sit over here with me... " Fox nudged her closer. " No!! You're all wet!! " " Ahh, Danaaa... Please..? " He tugged harder on her hand. Finally giving in, Dana allowed him to guide her onto his wet lap. Hugging her tight, Fox rubbed his wet nose against her cheek... xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx " ... Fox?! " He stirred for a moment, unsure if he had heard his name being called. " FOX!! " DANA!! Jumping off the couch, Fox felt his skin peel away from the leather with a snap. It was a minor irritation that was soon forgotten when Fox dashed down the hallway to the bedroom and found Dana holding on to the bed post. " Fox... I... Where the hell are your pants?!! " Dana stared back at him in complete surprise. " What?!! " Fox looked down at his nakedness, but shook his head. " Fuck my pants!! What is it? Are you all right?! " " Fox, we have to go to the hospital... " xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Fox swore he would not behave like a sitcom character. Yet the moment Dana made her announcement, he sprang into action. Nearly tripping over his own feet, Fox tried to grab something to cover his bare bottom. " Fox!! " Dana shouted at him. " Try not to kill yourself!! " Managing to get a hold of a pair of pants from the dresser drawer, Fox hopped around the room, getting one leg in after another. When he finally buttoned his pants, he looked around the room and saw Dana carrying her overnight bag. " Dana, leave that alone. I'll take care of it... " Taking the bag into his hand after he helped Dana with her coat, Fox escorted his wife out of the bedroom. " Fox, you have to call my mother... " " Call Mom... " Fox opened the front door. " And call your mother. " " Call Mom... " Fox opened the door to let them out of the building. " Have my mom call Bill and Charlie... and Anita. " " Call Mom... " Fox fumbled with the car keys. " You might want to call Skinner... " " Call Mom... " Fox opened the car door. " You mean Skinner... " Dana entered the passenger side. " I thought you wanted me call Mom? " Fox stared at her with a confused look. " Fox, get in the car! " Dana shouted at him... xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx The Hospital: Five Hours Later... Walking down the hallway, Fox held onto Dana as he guided her around the nurses and other patients in the ward. " Ooh... " Dana stopped as she leaned her body against the wall. Her back hurting, she needed a moment to rest. " It's all right... " Fox rubbed her back, bringing his face close to hers. " Do you want to go back to the room? " " No... no, it's all right... " Dana tried to smile. " Let's walk little bit more... " With their walk continuing, Fox tried to find the words to encourage Dana. " You're doing fine, baby... " " Who are you talking to? Me or the baby..? " " Both of you... " He kissed the top of her head. Turning around, they headed back to the direction of the room Dana was staying in. Catching a glimpse of her mother watching them from the doorway, Maggie smiled and walked back into the room. " She's worrying about me... " Dana said. " Do you think? " Fox asked. " She does have that worry look on her face... " " Can't imagine what she's worried about... Her daughter being pregnant... Ready to give birth... No, nothing to worry about at all... " " You're such a shit, Fox... " " But I'm one of the best... " Passing the room, Fox waved to Maggie who waved back. Sitting in the room with her, were two of Dana's cousins, Anita and Rosemary. " Try not to break any records out there, you two!! " Anita called out. Going down the hallway, the silence between them was noticeable. " It's quiet, Fox... " Dana commented. " It's hospital, Dana... " Fox answered. " It's so quiet, you can hear the baby ripping through me... " " You got a way with words, love... " " I don't feel like being poetic, right now, Fox... " " How about I tell you a story? " " A story? Sure, why not... " " An Indian fable... " " An American Indian..? " " Or Native American, if you want the correct term... Anyway, there once was this coyote traveling up the river, not a jail, but a good size river where he came across five mallard duck girls swimming on the other side of the river... Now the coyote hid quickly behind some bushes and watched the girl ducks... And became very aroused... " " Aroused..? " " Hey, I'm not questioning his taste... Anyway, the coyote decided he needed to satisfy his urges, so he came up with a plan... The coyote stretched his penis out... Shot that baby out as far as he could into the water... " " Oh, wait a minute... " " No, it's true... He let his looooong penis fall into the water, like he was fishing, but his penis flowed to the surface and the coyote wasn't happy about that... So he pulled it back out and tied a rock to his penis and threw it back into the water... This time it stayed under... That way the duck girls couldn't see it. So, the coyote sent his penis toward the duck girls and made his move on one of them... " Now the other duck girls didn't know what came over their sister. She was hopping around making all sorts of weird noises... the works. " Well, they finally saw what was disturbing her under the water and they grabbed the penis, trying to pull it out of their sister... but it wouldn't budge... Then they went on dry land trying to get it out of her there. " Well, while that was going on, the coyote... *UH*... finished satisfying himself... " Fox gestured with his body, giving a pump from his waist. " Fox... " Dana quickly looked at him when a nurse passed them. " I'm sure she has seen plenty... " Fox whispered. " Well, go on... " Dana asked. " Want me to finish..? " " Not like the coyote did, but finish the story... " " OK... Well, the coyote saw what the sisters were doing and called out to them, asking what the problem was... They told him what was stuck up their sister's private area and the coyote told them to cut the penis off of her... " " Whoa, whoa!! His own penis? " " Yeah... Well, the coyote has magical powers, so... " " You didn't say anything about the coyote having magical powers? " " Well, I'm saying it now... So, the duck girls cut the penis off, leaving some of it still inside their sister, as the coyote cut the rest of his penis off and it fell into the river where it became a ledge... " " A ledge? " " I told you, the coyote has magical powers... Then the coyote raced to the other side the river to the camp where the duck girls lived and found the sister very sick and dying... " " Because of his penis? " " Dick can hurt... Well, when the sisters saw him coming, they were very excited because the coyote was a great medicine man... " " A medicine man? So far this coyote is a rapist, he has magical powers, and is free of pain. Now he's a medicine man? " " The coyote is a trickster, Dana. He could be anything he wants... Back to the story... The girl ducks asked the coyote to save their sister, which he agreed to do... " " I certainly hope so... " " Inside their home, the coyote sent the sisters away and covered all the openings so no one could watch what he was doing, that way no one could steal his medicine. " He instructed the sisters to stand outside the home and start singing a song in time with the sticks beating on a log. The coyote then announced he was going to take what was inside their sister out of her. So, as he was doing this, the coyote sang with the other sisters... ' I will stick it back on, I will stick it back on... ' Get it? " " Got it... " " Well, he banged the sister again and was able to recover the end of his penis. The sister was cured and from that day forth, everyone said the medicine the coyote possessed was the most powerful medicine of all... The end. " " That was not an Indian fable, you made that up! " " No, I swear... it comes from the Nez Perce tribe... " Dana suddenly brought her body against the wall. The pain from the contraction caused her legs to feel weak. Fox braced himself behind her giving the support she needed. " Breath, honey... easy... " " I... No.. No, I feel fine, Fox... " Dana tried to smile. Seeing two empty chairs by them, Fox turned to Dana. " Come on, you're going to sit down for a while... " Only enough to give him a nod, Dana gave Fox full control as he guided her to the chair closest to them. Once seated, Dana was relieved to be off her feet. Fox sat next to her in the other chair with his arm wrapped around her, wiping the sweat from her forehead. " I'm scared, Fox... " Dana said. " I'm so scared... " " I'm scared too, Dana... " " I'm... I'm not so scared of the pain, Fox... I... I... understand what my body is going through... " " Well, I'm scared of it! I don't like to see you in pain... I just wish we were done with it... " Both brought their eyes down to Dana's middle. Her expanded belly moved with each breath she took. Dana rested her hand on it as Fox's hand covered hers. " What if I'm not a good mother..? " Dana worried. " Oh, come on... " " No, what if I'm not, Fox... What if I tell our child the wrong things or make the wrong decisions... What if I kiss him in front of his friends and they tease him about and he'll never forgive me for embarrassing him?!! " " Oh, Dana... " Fox brushed her hair from her forehead. " You're going to be a great mother... " " You're just saying that... " " No... " Fox placed his fingers under her chin raising her face to his. " You're going to be a great mother, Dana... Our baby is very lucky to have you... just like me. " Dana gave a weak smile but still felt the uncertainty of her future as a mother. " Would you like me to tell you another story, Dana? " Fox asked. " It's not another 'penis' story, is it? " " No, I think you will like this one... It's another Indian fable, from the Penobscot tribe... " " All right... I like to hear it... " Dana smiled at him. Fox smiled back and cleared his throat. " There once was a time on earth, there were no people... and Kloskurbeh, who was the All-Maker lived alone in the world. " One day, when the sun was high, a young man appeared before Kloskurbeh. Created by the motion of the wind, the moistness of the water and the sun's own warmth, gave life to the young man as he went to live with Kloskurbeh who was now his uncle. Making the young man his chief helper, Kloskurbeh and he created many great things. " One day, another being appeared before them... A woman who was made by the green living plant, the moisture and the sun's warmth. She announced to them, ' I am love, I am a strength giver, I am the nourisher, I am the provider of man and animals. I am loved by all. ' " Kloskurbeh gave thanks to the Great Mystery Above for sending such a beautiful being to them. " The nephew married the woman, who conceived and became the First Mother on earth. They had many children after that and their children flourished and so on... " Kloskurbeh became a great teacher to all the humans. One day, Kloskurbeh decided to travel to the North, with a promise he would return when he was needed. " Now the human race was increasing in size, so many that there wasn't enough game for them to hunt... They began to starve... " The children went to the First Mother, begging her to help ease their hungry, but she had nothing for them and she wept. " She told them to be patient and she would make them food, so they would not go hungry anymore. Yet, she kept on weeping. " Her husband saw her sadness and asked, ' How can I make you happy? ' " The First Mother told him the only thing that would stop her tears was that he had to kill her... but he could never do such a thing. She warned him that her grief would be forever as her tears would never cease if he did not kill her. " Trouble by his wife's demands, the husband traveled north to find his uncle Kloskurbeh to ask what he should do. Kloskurbeh said that he must do as the First Mother asked and kill her... " When he returned home, he wept before his wife as he agreed to do as she asked. " The First Mother told her husband, that he must kill her at high noon the next day, and that her body was to be dragged by two of their sons across an empty patch of earth... Back and forth until all her flesh was gone... and her bones were to be buried in the center of the clearing. Then they were to leave and not to return for seven moons. Where she promised her flesh would be there... " The next day, the deed was done. The husband killed the wife and the sons dragged her body across the earth. When her bones were buried in the middle, they left and did not return, until seven moons had passed when they found the land covered with tall green plants... " Corn... the First Mother's flesh returned to feed her family so that they may flourish and never starve. " What they found in the center of the field was the First Mother's breathe... tobacco. Where her spirit spoke to them of the plant being sacred, to help clear their minds in both prayer and happiness. " From that day forth, they cared for the First Mother's flesh... Her undying love and sacrifice that was renew every seven moons for her children... " xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx The Hospital: Several Hours Later... He walked down the hallway of the hospital unnoticed by the staff who went about their business. Though his steps were determined, he felt in his heart to be cautious. Uncertain he would succeed in his goal to see his grandson. Peering to each side of the hallway, unable to find the nursery that would allow him to glance upon the newborn through the large window. He was about to walk to the other side when a voice stopped him. " What are you doing here? " Fox Mulder stared at the Cigarette Smoking Man. Standing a few feet away from each other, the moment was tense but was broken by the answer that came from the heart. " I hoped to give congratulations... to both you and your wife... " The Cigarette Smoking Man spoke. Fox continued to stare at him. With his mouth twisting, he spoke with the same honesty. " Would you like to see him? " The surprised look the older man gave him told the answer before it was given. " Yes... very much... " Fox nodded his head, and led the way to the room where Dana and their son were. Hearing the door opening, Dana turned to see her husband returning. Holding the baby in her arms, she did not expect him back so soon when she saw the other man that followed him. The sudden quietness as the tension remained but just like her husband, Dana looked at the older man with uncertainties when the silence was broken. " Mrs. Mulder... I want to congratulate you on your blessing... " The Cigarette Smoking Man moved up to her. " Thank you... " Dana said as she brought her son closer to her. Watching her husband move next to the older man, Dana suddenly felt a truce. There would be no danger here. No harm would come to any of them. She looked again at her husband and then at the Cigarette Smoking Man. " Would you like to hold him? " Dana asked. Again the astonishment appeared on his face, a smile soon cracked between the lines. " Very much... " Carefully approaching the bed, Dana brought her son closer to allow the older man to take him into his arms. Holding his grandson, the older man felt the years disappear as the memory of the day he held his firstborn in his arms, loving him as does today. Smiling down to the infant who had remained calm in his arms, the older man felt his heart melt. " How much he looks like you, Fox, when you were this age... " He commented without looking at his son. " What have you named him? " He asked. " David... David William Mulder... " Dana answered him. " That is a very good name... " He smiled at the baby. Fox was tempted to open his mouth, but quickly shut himself up. This was not the time for such discussion that could lead into an argument. The moment soon passed in silence. The parents watching the older man, who continued to stare upon his grandson. Finally, with a sigh, the Cigarette Smoking Man walked back to Dana returning the baby to her. " He's beautiful... Thank you... " " Thank you... " Dana smiled at him. With one final glance, the Cigarette Smoking Man turned away and stood before his son. " Thank you, Fox... " " Don't try anything... " Fox warned him. " Never... " The Cigarette Smoking Man smiled as he walked passed his son and out of the room. Following him, Fox Mulder stood at the doorway of the room, watching his father walk away and disappear around the corner... The End... This concludes the Fox and Dana series, but not the story. To be continued in: 'The Family Series'. Feedback is welcome... agentsinlove@yahoo.com Author's Notes: 'The Coyote and the Mallard Duck' and 'Corn Mother' along with other Native American folklore can be found in 'American Indian: Myths and Legends' selected and edited by Richard Erdoes and Alonso Ortiz, Panthron Books.