From: lhoward388@aol.com
Date: Mon, 4 Jun 2001 12:20:57 EDT
Subject: xfc: Opening Doors II
Source: xfc

Title: Opening Doors II
Author: Agent L
Classification: Dialogue vignette
Rating: G 
Spoilers: Alone
Distribution: Anywhere, as long as my name is attached.
Disclaimer: To Chris Carter, David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Fox, 
and now Robert Patrick: I know they're not mine, and no money, gifts or 
even chocolate would be expected or accepted for this. 
Summary: Scully gives Mulder a gift.
Author's Notes: I think Existence was the first time I ever saw Mulder
use a key to get into Scully's apartment, which is amazing when you
think about it. He probably had a key before this, but here's what
might have happened.
Feedback: Yes, please! LHoward388@aol.com


Opening Doors II

"Mulder, what are you doing?"

"I'm looking for that alien head mug I gave you a couple of 
Christmases ago."

"Any particular reason? I have a lot of other mugs, if you want coffee."

"No, I just wanted to see if it was still here."

"Mulder...I know you don't understand why I gave that key chain to 
Agent Doggett, but I had my reasons and I'm not going to apologize."

"You always have your reasons, Scully, and I respect that. I just will 
never like the man. It may be irrational, but I hate the idea that you 
had another partner, and I can't forgive him for being the one who 
went through your pregnancy with you."

"It's not like we spent a lot of time looking up baby names and 
searching for wallpaper in between cases. Maybe you're having 
trouble forgiving *yourself* for not being there, Mulder -- which is 
almost as irrational as blaming him."

"Maybe."

"Well, I have something that might make you feel better."

"What's this?"

"Open it."

"You're not regifting me, are you?"

"Mulder, just open it."

"It's a key."

"The key to my apartment."

"Scully...After all this time. Why now?"

"Because I think this child's father should be able to see his baby 
without having to contact the building manager."

"Then I'm ... I mean, I'd thought -- but...Really?"

"Yes, Mulder. Really. I'm still not sure if it was the in vitro or the 
more -- um -- physical method we tried, but the baby is yours."

"Thank you, Scully. Now if I only had a nice key chain to put 
this on.... Ow!"

The End