From: "Susan Moritz" Date: Mon, 12 Feb 2001 23:39:25 Subject: restoration Source: direct Title: Restoration Author: Susan O. Moritz Rated: PG Spoilers:This Is Not Happening/DeadAlive/Untitled Summary: Mulder returns. Authors Note 1: This fanfic is based slightly on spoilers I've read that may or may not come true. Please do not read this if you don't like spoilers. Authors Note 2: This fanfic is based on a spoiler I've read that stated that Mulder wakes up in a jovial mood. I can't imagine Mulder waking up in a jovial mood, except as described below:) Mulder's words are based on a quote by Mark Twain in a cable he wrote from London to the Associated Press when he read of his reported death in the newspapers. Disclaimer: I have no idea what is really goinging to happen in the next couple of eps so whatever CC writes goes:) Restoration By: Susan O. Moritz "He had been, he said, an unconscionable time dying; but he hoped that they would excuse it."-King Charles II "As virtuous men pass mildly away, And whisper to their souls to go, Whilst some of their sad friends do say The breath goes now, and some say no."-John Donne-"Valediction: Forbidden Mourning" "The boundaries that divide Life from Death are at best shadowy and vague. Who shall say where one ends, and where the other begins?"-Edgar Allan Poe-"The Premature Burial" They were all there. Scully sat next to Mulder in his hospital bed with a blanket covering her belly and legs, which effectively hid her pregnancy. She did not want Mulder to be confused or frightened when he first regained consciousness. She wanted familiarity. There would be plenty of time to tell him the joyful news that she was pregnant with his child. Her hands covered one of Mulder's that was closest to her. Skinner was looming nearby. He tried to appear stern, but flashes of worry kept appearing on his face. Periodically, he shifted his weight between his feet and fought the urge to pace around the room. Doggett sat in a chair by the window. He alternated between looking out at the sunny skies and at Mulder for some sign of movement toward consciousness. Langley, Frohike, and Byers stood in a huddle near the door. They whispered to each other and periodically looked toward Mulder. Suddenly, Scully felt her hand being slightly squeezed. Her quick intake of breath got everyone's attention. Scully's eyes ran over every inch of Mulder's face for a sign of life. Everyone crowded around Mulder's hospital bed. Mulder's eyes slowly blinked a few times adjusting them to the daylight. He was like a newborn seeing the light of the world for the first time. His eyes then began to focus on the people surrounding him. His glance fell upon them as if reacquainting his memory of each of them with the people themselves. It had been almost a whole year since he had seen them. A look of confusion crossed his face upon reaching Agent Doggett, but he didn't dwell on him too long. If his friends surrounded this man, he posed no threat to Mulder and at the very least might have been instrumental in helping bring about his return. Mulder worked his eyes around the room until his eyes locked onto the eyes that he had been dreaming about for months. His constant, his touchstone, smiled at him while he could see tears threatening to spill down her beautiful face. Mulder grinned at Scully. He was home. His voice cracked and broken, first from months of torture and then from months of disuse, whispered, "The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated." A joyful laugh broke out around the room. This was Mulder and he was back.