From: ephemeral@ephemeralfic.org Date: 13 Nov 2007 02:09:40 -0000 Subject: NEW: Nothing Important 7 Underneath by Vickie Moseley Source: direct Reply To: vickiemoseley1978@yahoo.com Title: Nothing Important 7: Underneath Author: Vickie Moseley Summary: I'm rewriting Season 9. You probably won't recognize much of it. The rest of the story is at my website, this is the 7th installment. Category: mytharc, MSR, MA, babyfic Rating: for everyone Disclaimer: you wrote it one way, Chris and Frank -- I'm writing it another and never the twain shall meet. But no infringement intended. Archive: YES As always, thank you, Lisa!! Comments to me at vickiemoseley1978@yahoo.com Bill and Tara Scully's Residence San Diego CA "Daddy, ain't he little?" Matty exclaimed happily as Bill stood in shocked silence at the foot of the steps. Tara was looking at him expectantly, holding out the tiny bundle for him to take from her. The baby's arm broke free from his blanket restraints and waved in greeting. Bill swallowed hard. No one moved. "Here, Tara, I'll take him. Come to Grandma, little love," she cooed as she stepped around Bill and took the baby in her arms. "Daddy, did you bring me sumpin' from the Pentagon?" Matty chattered, jumping up and down on the step. "No, sorry, buddy, I didn't have time," Bill said, but his focus was on his mother and the baby in her arms. He turned and looked his wife square in the eyes, hoping the hurt and betrayal was clearly visible to her. Tara reared back and dropped her gaze. "Matty, get washed up for dinner," she directed at the child. "OK, but we're having ice cream for dessert, right?" "Mint chocolate chip," Tara agreed readily. "Bill, you were going to change your clothes?" she added timidly. "We are going to discuss this," he growled as he passed her. "Not in front of Matthew," she hissed back, and he realized the matter was settled at least until 9 o'clock when Matty went to bed. Dinner was delicious, but Bill could hardly taste a bite. Matty kept the conversation going at the dinner table and didn't seem to notice that the adults were adding little. He was perfectly content in being the focus of attention and prattled on about the new Duplo set that Maggie had purchased for him when they went shopping for the baby. Maggie helped Tara clear the table, but it was Bill's turn to do KP, so he scraped the dishes and loaded the dishwasher. When he was finished, Matty pulled him by the hand into the living room to show off his latest Duplo creations. Bill was soon caught up in the wonder that was his little boy and was able to relax a little. "Matthew, it's bed time," Tara announced firmly. "I want Daddy to tuck me in and read me my story," Matty declared. Bill smiled at his child and ruffled his hair. "Sure thing, buddy. You go up and take your tubbie with Mom. I'll be right up." Shortly, Bill was sitting on the edge of Matty's youth bed, finishing the second story -- Matty's absolute favorite and the one guaranteed to put the little boy to sleep. "Dinosaur, o Dinosaur, dreaming dreams unknown. Your smile makes me wish I had a binkit of my own," Bill said softly and closed the book, looking down on his sleeping son. "Goodnight, Matty," he whispered. He leaned down and placed a tender kiss on the little boy's forehead. Turning down the bedside lamp to just a dull illumination, he tiptoed out of the room, half closing the door behind him. A million thoughts swirled through his head ranging from national security to military courts of justice, but one thought overrode all others -- children, all children, were a blessing. Bill came down the stairs to find Tara pacing the floor with little William. "How's he, uh, how's he doing?" he asked warily. The baby would sniffle and then let out a lusty wail for a few moments, only to quiet long enough to build up steam for the next outburst. "Colic," Tara said with a weary smile. "Been there, done that," she added with a shrug. "That was when I was at sea," Bill reminded her. "Here, let me give it a try." He awkwardly took the baby out of her arms and settled him so that he was parallel to Bill's body, the baby's head on Bill's shoulder. "There, there, little guy. Can't be all that bad, can it?" he cooed. "Walking helps -- a little," Tara coached. "Has this happened every night?" Bill asked over the squalling child, taking up Tara's route around the living room. "Every night, like clockwork. Thank God Mom came out when I called her -- it's always right about the time Matty needs to go to bed." "Where is Mom?" Bill asked, noticing that his mother was no longer present. "Drug store. She thought a hot water bottle might help, at least it did with Charlie. Apparently this is a Scully family trait. If I'd known that earlier, sailor boy, you wouldn't have a son," she teased. He saw the twinkle in her eye and held back his own laugh. "Oh, and your family has no flaws, right?" "Except for Tom. And I'm pretty sure the stork got mixed up and dropped him in the wrong house," Tara said lightly. The front door opened and Maggie breezed in, a plastic pharmacy bag in her hand. "Let me get some water in this and we'll see if it works." She hurried to the kitchen and was back in just a few moments. "Bill, do you remember how do to this?" she asked with a knowing look. "Me? I was just . . . wait a minute. I think I remember. Let me get to the sofa." He sat down on the sofa and Maggie placed a clean kitchen towel and the hot water bottle on his lap, covering the hot water bottle with another towel folded in half for double layering. Bill turned William face down so that the baby was lying with his stomach on the towel covered hot water bottle. At first, William didn't like the fact that the walking and moving had stopped. He screamed all the louder. But Bill stroked his back, cooing to him softly. It took a few moments for the warm feeling to sink in, but soon the fretful baby was dozing peacefully. "Touchdown!" Bill mouthed with a grin. "Man, this brings back memories." "The next one, Mister, I intend to be at sea and YOU can stay home with the colic," Tara said, arms crossed from her perch on the armchair across from the sofa. Maggie laughed at that. Maggie chuckled. "It was the only time any of you got to hold Charlie," she remembered. "And the only way I could get dinner on the table." When they were all certain he wouldn't be waking up for a while, Bill carried the baby up to the guest room where Matty's old bassinette was set up next to the day bed. Bill lay the sleeping infant in the bed on his side, covered him with a blanket and hurried from the room without making a sound. He dreaded the coming discussion, but knew he had to get some answers. Maggie and Tara were at the kitchen table, coffee cups in front of them. When he entered the room, Tara got up and made him a cup, sitting it down at his usual seat at the table. Then she sat down and started talking. "Mulder called me three days ago," she said quietly, keeping her gaze on the small potted plant in the center of the table. "He asked me to go to the airport. There was a ticket at the counter in my name to Phoenix. I got on the flight, not really knowing what to expect. When I got to Arizona, he found me outside the gate. He had William in a car seat." She took a breath and looked up at her husband. "Bill, I know what you think of him, but you should have seen him that day. He was panic-stricken, devastated. He was so frightened for Dana and so worried about William. He said she'd left them -- just took off and he had to find her." Bill squirmed a little in his seat and chewed on his lip. Still, he said nothing. "So he handed me the baby. I swear, Billy, I've never seen a man so torn up about a decision. He didn't want to leave him, but he had to go find Dana. He told me . . . " Tara stopped for a moment, wiping tears from her cheeks. "He said she was in terrible danger. That the people she worked with, the FBI, were after her and he had to find her before they did." Bill's eyes narrowed, remembering Agent Doggett. Mulder was at least right about that -- the FBI was after Dana. But he'd met the man, talked to him. Dana wasn't in danger from John Doggett. Bill was certain this was just more of Mulder's delusional ramblings. "He said he had to leave William somewhere safe, with people who love him. And then . . . and then he told me to tell you something, Billy. He told me to tell you that you were right about him all those years ago and that's he's very sorry. Then he kissed William and walked away. It was the saddest thing I've ever seen." Bill was silent for a moment, digesting what Tara had said. Finally he looked over at her. "Academy award winning performance, I'm sure." "Billy! He wasn't acting! He was seriously upset and very worried about Dana. What in the world would cause her to do that -- to leave her child and her . . . her lover like that?" At the word 'lover', Bill's head shot up and he glared at Tara. She tilted her chin defiantly. "They are in love, you know. They were in love when Dana was here the Christmas Matty was born. They were just too stubborn to admit it," she said, crossing her arms. "The fact remains, Fox didn't know where Dana was and we haven't heard from him since he left the baby with Tara. We can only assume that he's still looking for her. Now, if this is going to cause a problem, William Dennis, I will take the baby back to Baltimore with me in the morning," Maggie said evenly. Tara shot Maggie a look, but from the set of the woman's jaw, there would be no discussion if her son answered the wrong way. Bill ruffled his feathers a moment, and then backed down in the heat of his mother's glare. "No, Mom. We're already set up for a baby. He can stay here." "But what about day care?" Tara asked. "You have to have a birth certificate and a social security number just to get a baby sitter these days -- especially here in San Diego." "You don't have to worry about day care," Maggie assured her daughter-in-law. "If you don't mind having me underfoot, I'd be happy to stay until William goes back to his parents." "We don't know how long that will be," Bill offered quietly. "Then we're just take each day as it comes," Maggie said, ending the discussion. "And now, I'm going upstairs to take a nap. I'll take the 2 o'clock feeding, Tara. Unless you'd like that honor, Bill?" Tara had to stifle a laugh at the expression on her husband's face and the twinkle in Maggie's eyes. "No, no, Mom. I'll, uh, I'll handle the one that's potty trained and can feed himself," Bill offered. "That will free you two up to take care of the baby." Wasatch Mountains Underground Compound same day and time Mulder sat by Scully's bed and gently held her hand. "Scully? Dana? Can you hear me?" There was no response from the still figure. She looked more beautiful than he could ever remember. One of the nurses, and he'd been surprised how many nurses and doctors and medical personnel the Spenders had assembled, had combed her hair and put her in a prettier than usual hospital style gown. Tears flood his eyes and flowed down his cheeks. "Scully, why did you leave us?" he croaked. He immediately softened his tone. "I'm not mad. How could I be angry after all the ditches I pulled on you -- after Oregon even? But I just have to know. Was it the chip? Were you called there? They say you walked up to the front gate. I can't imagine you doing that of your own accord. You must have been called." He released her hand long enough to wipe at the tears clouding his eyes. "Scully, I had . . . I had to leave William. He's with Tara, he's safe. But God, oh how I miss him. It's like I can't breathe in enough air when you two aren't beside me. Like I'm underwater all the time. I hate it, I hated leaving him. It hurt. I never thought I could hurt that much. I thought I hurt when I left you two at the apartment when I left to go to North Carolina, but baby, that was just a scratch compared to this. It's like I've had a limb severed, and I want you to wake up so we can go get him and bring him -- " He looked around the small infirmary, with mostly steel and drywall construction, but no windows, no sunlight. "Well, I don't know if I want him to consider this home," he chuckled softly. "Home is wherever we are together, right? So I guess home could be here, in this place. It's wherever we are safe and we can love each other. That's home. That's been home to me for a very long time. I came home when I was in your arms again. In the hospital, when I first woke up and it smelled like a hospital, I hurt all over and I was so tired. But then I felt your arms around me, your head on my chest and I knew I was home." He was sobbing in earnest now, tilting his head back and staring off in the distance. "Scully, please. Please don't leave me ever again. I couldn't take it. I can't take it. Please, promise me that next time we can talk about it. We can agree on a plan and each do our parts. Because I suck at doing this alone." Exhaustion and worry were taking their toll and slowly he curled down, resting his head on the bed next to where their hands were joined. "Please come home to me," he sighed and was soon in a fretful sleep. Jeff Spender stood in the hallway, peering in through the small window to the room and its occupants. Mulder was sleeping, Scully hadn't regained consciousness. He wondered how long it would take. "We did another scan -- she has a concussion, but no bleeding," Dr. Kim said confidently. "She's probably just exhausted. God knows he is," Spender said with a sigh. "Well, I hope for all our sakes that she decides to wake up soon. We could use the extra hands." Spender leaned forward, resting his head on the cool glass. "She'll give us more than extra hands. Since Mom died, that's what this place has needed - - a heart. Scully could be that heart." "Looks to me like her heart is already taken," Kim said with a rueful expression. Shaking his head, Spender straightened and turned. "Oh, believe me, if we get that little family together, there will be no stopping us." "What is being done on that score?" Kim asked quietly. "Preparations. But for now, we just have to wait till she wakes up." Spender glanced back in the room. "For his sake, I hope it's soon." Bill and Tara Scully's Residence 2:30 am Bill heard the cries in his sleep. He almost reached over and woke Tara before he realized the baby's voice was getting farther and farther away, and he heard the steps creak as his mother carried the infant downstairs. Oh, yeah, it wasn't his kid, he mused. A good part of him wanted to go back to sleep -- to do something he'd never been able to when Matty was tiny. He'd been away for the second three months of his son's life, but he remembered quite clearly those first three months when he wondered if the kid would ever stop eating. Or pooping. Or crying. Whenever Tara talked about 'having another one', those were the memories that popped into his head. Meanwhile, in the present, he heard the crying stop, but then he heard the rhythmic thump of the rocking chair in the living room. He punched his pillow and tried resolutely to go back to sleep. When he heard the first notes of the song he'd almost forgotten, he gave up. Silently he slipped out of bed, pulled on his slippers and tiptoed into the hallway. "Tur-a lur-a lurah, Tur-a lur-a lie; tur-a lur-a lur-a, hush now, don't you cry. Tur-a lur-a lur-ah, tur-a lur-a lie, tur-a lur-a lur-ah, that's an Irish lyllaby . . . " He stopped in the doorway and watched for a moment. Her hair was showing silver threads in the dark auburn and the face was more lined -- laugh lines, he hoped, but he knew some were from worry and sorrow, too. But all in all, it was the same youthful voice, so full of love and hope that he remembered from his earliest days. "You still got the touch, Mom," he whispered as he came into the room. Maggie smiled at him and gave him a wink, not breaking the rhythm of her rocking nor the humming at the back of her throat. Little William was sucking down the contents of a bottle, tiny hand clutching at his grandmother's thumb. After a few moments, the bottle was empty and the baby's mouth was slack against the plastic nipple. Gently, Maggie brought him up to her shoulder, against a white cloth and burped him. He let out quite a loud burp for someone so small. "That's a Scully for ya," Bill said with a smile. "Actually, I think it's a Mulder, too," Maggie whispered back. "I've heard Fox toss out some loud ones on occasion." Bill's face darkened at the mention of his sister's partner. Maggie noticed it immediately. "What is it, Bill, that upsets you so about Fox?" Maggie asked, not ceasing the rocking motion as the baby lay lifeless against the crook of her neck, tiny mouth sucking on an invisible nipple. "Mom, let's not get into this -- " "No, Bill, I think we have to 'get into this' or it's going to continue to fester. I should have made you get this off your chest a long time ago. What did Fox Mulder ever do to you?" Bill's eyes went wide and he shook his head in disbelief. "Mom, what hasn't he done?" he gasped out. "He's had Dana running across the country for a decade -- she's been shot, she's contracted cancer. Mom, Missy would still be alive if not for that crackpot!" he howled. When the baby flinched in Maggie's arms, Bill dropped his voice. "He's a danger to himself and everyone around him. I'm surprised he had the common sense to drop the baby off with us! I would have figured he'd drag the poor kid around after him -- till he got him killed like everyone else that's been associated with him," he huffed through gritted teeth. Maggie just regarded him without expression, rocking and listening. "Mom, Dana is a bright woman. She could be the head of a department. She could be the head of forensics at the FBI, if that's what she absolutely has to be in her life. But instead, where is she? On the run -- people who try to help her get nothing but her scorn and hatred. Me, her own brother and she stands there and tells me -- " He stopped, just a few moment too late. "She's god knows where," he tried to cover. But Maggie had heard and her eyes narrowed. "Bill. Is there something you want to tell me?" He chewed on his lip. Suddenly he was standing in their kitchen in Miramar base housing, his grandmother's Dresden china gravy boat shattered at his feet. He blinked his eyes and the flashback faded. "No, Mom, I don't think so," he said quietly. "Do you know where Dana is?" Maggie asked sternly, keeping her voice low in deference to the infant sleeping on her shoulder. "Mom, please, you don't want -- " "William Dennis Scully, you will answer me and it better be the truth," she seethed. This time William could feel the tension in the woman holding him and let out a tiny mewl. Maggie stroked his back and he fell back to sleep. Bill sat down on the armchair near the rocker. "Mom, Dana hasn't been acting rationally since, well, since Mulder came back from wherever the hell he ran off to before the baby." "Bill, there is so much that you don't know," Maggie said evenly. "So much that I don't know, either. But I do know that Dana has been dealing with some enormous obstacles in her life and she's done an incredible job of it. And I do know that I trust her -- I trust her judgment, I trust her decisions and I trust that when the time comes, she'll explain all of this to me." "Mom, there's a metal illness called Stockholm syndrome. It's when you've been held hostage for a long time -- " "Bill, I was very much alive when Patty Hearst made headlines with Stockholm syndrome. I imagine I could tell you a thing or two about it. What does that have to do with Dana?" "She's been held 'captive' -- for lack of a better term, by that madman of a partner. He's brainwashed her, Mom. She thinks -- she thinks she at war with everyone, with the military, with the people she's worked with -- everyone." Maggie sat back and glared hard at her son. "And how would you know this, Bill, if you haven't seen her since Christmas two years ago?" He felt the blush rise in his cheeks. "Mom, we talked on the phone -- " "Bill, don't you dare lie to me," Maggie said in a voice so low that the man sitting just feet from her reared back in fear. "Mom -- you have to understand . . ." "What. Do. You. Know?" Maggie bit out angrily and this time William was not to be deterred. The baby flinched, curled in on himself and let loose with a howl. Maggie stood, bouncing the baby and patting his tiny bottom, trying to console the little boy. She shot a fierce glare over at her son. "Bill, if you know something -- if you've seen your sister recently -- " She stopped, closing her eyes. "You're an adult. I can't force you to do something you don't want to. But Bill, I want you to think long and hard about your course. Your father and I tried to teach you there are right ways and wrong ways to go about things. Sometimes the damage done by going about something the wrong way can never be repaired. You would be wise to remember that." Dulles International Airport 9:51 am Eastern Time Doggett practically had to drag himself out of the seat on the airplane. He was exhausted. Running across the country, reading through the test results, dealing with Bill Scully and then Dana Scully's escape -- it was enough to make anyone tired. As he plodded down the concourse toward the baggage claim, he heard his name being called. "John? John, over here!" Monica Reyes waved to him from near the exit doors. "Monica? When I called to tell you when I'd be in, I didn't expect you to come out to get me," he said affably. "Well, you mentioned the shuttle and I was in the neighborhood -- " She grinned and shrugged. "So how was your trip? How's your aunt? Did you get her settled in her retirement home?" "I think so. She was a little resistant at first. But she'll come around, I know it," Doggett said with a smile. "So, did I miss anything while I was away?" "Not much. Oh, there was some news up in New York. A thirteen-year-old murder conviction was overturned. It's been on CNN all day long. When I saw it -- you were on the NYPD back then, weren't you?" "I was. I worked a couple of homicides in my time. Who is the guy?" Monica shrugged again. "Fassl. Robert Fassl. We can stop and get a Times on the way out, if you want the details." "Son of a bitch!" Doggett swore loudly. "I don't need to read the Times, Monica. I need to get to the office. I have calls to make!" Wasatch Mountain Compound 1:21 pm Mountain Time It wasn't the smell of food that woke Mulder from the first full rest he'd had in three days. It was the fingers stroking through his hair at a gentle pace. He lifted his head and looked into eyes of the clearest blue. "Hey, there," he whispered hoarsely, before he swallowed against his dry throat. "How long have you been awake?" "Not long," Scully whispered back. "You looked so peaceful asleep there." He sat up and stretched his arms over his head, letting his spine fall back into painful alignment. "Where are we?" Scully asked, looking around the room. "This isn't a hospital, is it?" "Not exactly. More of an infirmary. Do you remember coming here? You . . . you escaped the compound where you were -- " He stopped and bit his lip. He was having a hard time keeping his emotions in check, but he realized now was not the time to deal with them. "Are you hungry?" "Starved. And I'm sure Will -- " Her voice skittered to a halt and she looked at Mulder. "Where is the baby?" she demanded. "Scully, not right now -- I promise, when you're a little stronger -- " "Mulder! Where is our baby?" she insisted and sat up, sliding her feet over the side of the bed as if to get up. "Scully, you can't get out of bed!" Mulder objected, pushing her back against the mattress. "Hey, hey, what's going on here? Wrestling isn't until Monday nights," said Dr. Kim, who was just coming in the door. "Ms. Scully, you are not supposed to be getting out of bed. Mr. Mulder, if you'd mind unhanding my patient, I would like to examine her and maybe let me see if I can talk a little sense into her." "Where is my baby?" Scully shouted at Mulder. "Tara has him," Mulder answered tenderly. "I called Tara when I realized you weren't coming back. He's in San Diego." Her agitation only increased and Mulder was totally confused. "God no! We have to get him! Mulder, that's the last place you should have taken him! Oh, god no!" She broke down into sobs. "Get him back! Get him back right now!" Mulder didn't know what to think. She was acting completely irrational. "Scully, he's safe. Tara is a wonderful mother. I couldn't very well drag him with me -- I didn't even know where I was going to look for you!" "Agent Mulder, I'll have to ask you to step outside, please," Dr. Kim ordered with a stern look. "Just for a few minutes." "Scully, please?" he begged around Kim's shoulder where she was pushing him out the door. "Get him. Get my baby, Mulder. I want you to get my baby now!" Scully continued frantically as Kim hurried back to work on confining her back patient to the bed. A nurse had come running at all the shouting and handed the doctor a syringe. "This will just make you a little sleepy, Dana," Kim crooned. "When you wake up again, we can discuss this calmly." "Get him back. Bill . . . don't let Bill have him . . . Mulder don't let Bill . . . " She continued mumbling even as her eye lids lowered and her body relaxed with the force of the drug in her system. Mulder stood in the hallway shaking and panting, literally quaking with worry. "She's all right now," Kim assured him as she tried to lead him down the hall. "What was she saying? She was saying 'Bill'. Why wouldn't she want her brother to take care of our son?" Mulder asked no one in particular. "She's been through a traumatic experience, Agent Mulder. We'll just have to take it slowly. I'll make sure that she's on a mild tranquillizer when she wakes up in a few hours. Maybe she can tell us what has her so worried." "If it's not too late by then," Mulder said fearfully. San Diego Naval Base 4:45 pm "Commander Scully, sir. There's a call for you on line 2," the yeoman interrupted Bill as he was getting his last refill of coffee for the day. "Who is it? Not the Admiral," Bill shot back, hurrying to his office. "No, sir. I believe he said his name was Doggett. With the FBI, sir." "Hold my other calls," Bill said, starting to close the door. "Except -- " " . . . the Admiral. Aye, Aye, sir." "Agent Doggett, have you located my sister?" Bill snapped as soon as he picked up the receiver. "Wish that I had, Commander. No, I was just wondering if you'd spoken with your mother lately?" Bill froze. For the first time he wondered exactly what was this guy's game. His conversation with his mother from the night before came echoing back through his mind. "My mother? Was there something you needed from my mother?" "Well, I got to thinking -- Mulder wouldn't be able to handle that baby by himself. And since his family is pretty much died out, he'd probably call your mom to take care of him. He might even stick his head up long enough to drop the kid off. I just wanted to warn her, let her know that we're here to help if she hears from him." There was a brief moment of silence on the line. "You wouldn't know where she went, would you, Commander?" "Ah, well, now that you mention it, Mom said something about visiting her sister in Maine. They have a place out on a lake up there. Mom's from Maine originally, you know." "No, I didn't know that. Well, that must be where she is. If you hear from her, please relay my message, if you don't mind." Bill could hear the disbelief oiling off the Agent's words. "Sure. Absolutely." "Good. Oh, and if you hear from your sister -- " "I'll be sure to keep you apprised, Agent Doggett. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some work to clear up on my desk." "Of course, Commander. Always a pleasure talking to one of the warriors on the front lines," Doggett sneered. "Take care now." "I'll do that," Bill replied evenly. He hung up the receiver and stared at the phone as if it would come alive and bite him. Finally, he walked over to his coat rack and removed his cover. Leaving the office, he barely gave a second thought to what he was about to do. "I'm going home a little early, Manners. If the Admiral calls, forward it to my cell." "Aye, Aye, sir," the young man said with a crisp salute. Bill nodded and headed out the door. Now, his mind was running a mile a minute and he wondered how crazy his mother would think he was when he told her what he was planning. Continued in December Tura Lura Lura used without permission. It was my mother's lullaby to all her grandchildren, and me. Dinosaur's Binkit, also used without permission. I was surprised that I had to look up the last page, I used to have it memorized.