From: Donna Honeycutt Date: Sat, 9 Dec 2006 07:21:26 -0800 (PST) Subject: Seasons (1/3) Source: direct Reply To: donnah@donnas-stories.com Title - Seasons (1/3) Author - Donna Email address - donnah@donnas-stories.com URL - http://www.donnas-stories.com/ Rating - PG Category - AU, MSR Spoilers - Requiem Keywords - AU, MSR Summary - A different ending Feedback - Please Archive - Anywhere, just let me know so I can visit Disclaimer - Mulder, Scully, the Lone Gunmen and Skinner all belong to Chris, 10-13, and Fox - Bless them for it!! No infringement intended. Seasons - part 1 When she regained consciousness, she refused her friends' attempts to take her to see a doctor. When they tried to insist, she walked out on them. She'd come awake knowing somehow that he'd been taken. Yes, she was ill, and now distraught, but it would pass. Right now she had one job, to find Mulder and to hell with the FBI and their regulations. She'd played within the rules long enough. She had slipped out of town before Skinner could return. His guilt overwhelmed him at that point. Finding her resignation in his email drove him out of the office for a full day. She had simply gone underground. After all of her years working within the system, she had come to her senses. Aliens existed, they were here. They had taken her, experimented on her, marked her and left her barren. Now they had taken Mulder, and all bets were off. It didn't take long to find people to work with. Mulder was well known in certain circles and she was welcomed with open arms. Her real work began. ***** Skinner had headed for her apartment first thing when he got to town. When she wasn't there or at the office, he felt the first frisson of concern. When he found that her mother was out of town, he discretely tracked her down. Scully wasn't with her. That finally sent him to the Gunmen. He waited impatiently for the door to be unlocked. He glared at the surveillance camera and finally stepped inside without waiting for an invitation. "Do you know where she is?" Frohike didn't even pretend not to understand the question. "No. We've been trying to find her. We thought she headed out to help Mulder, but if he's not with you - " "No. They took him." "Took him? Who?" Skinner faced him squarely. "The, the aliens." Frohike gawked at him as Byers stood in the doorway frozen. It was Langly that broke the moment, laughing out loud. "AD Walter Skinner and I got to hear him say it." "Shut up, Langly." Frohike tossed over his shoulder. "Where's Scully?" "I don't know. She's not at home or work. She's not with her mother. I hoped she'd be here, looking for Mulder." "Shit." The shorter man moved quickly over to the computer and pulled up her bank accounts. His glance over his shoulder brought Byers his side in a couple of steps. Byers sank into the chair shaking his head. "What?" Skinner was behind them now, looking at the computer screen. "Her accounts are empty." "Empty?" "Yeah, completely. She closed her CDs, took a penalty." "So she's gone to cash," Langly mused. "She wants to stay hidden." Frohike looked over at Skinner. "She and Mulder kept cash in their apartments too. They always figured something would happen and they'd have to run." "Mulder's apartment. I haven't been there, maybe - " "Yeah, we should head over there." Skinner glanced over at Langly, but didn't respond. He turned toward the door and the three of them fell in behind him. He thought for a moment they were going to follow him to his car, but they turned toward their own van and led the way toward Mulder's apartment. It didn't take Frohike long to get them inside. Skinner stood just inside the door looking around. He spotted the frame lying face down on the desk, and moved toward it. He picked it up and recognized Samantha. "Why would this be down?" "She took Mulder's money too." "What?" "This is where Mulder kept his stash." "How do you know that?" Skinner sounded more than annoyed now. "It was my idea. He kept a couple of thousand dollars in large bills behind the picture. Thieves don't take the time to look for something like that and even if they break the glass, the picture keeps the money in place." Skinner made no comment. Scully was gone and he knew she would not be easy to trace. ***** Months later - He was following a tip; hell he'd followed a lot of tips where she was concerned. It was his fault she was on this path. He had lost Mulder and nearly lost his mind in the process. He couldn't find Mulder, but he had to find Scully. He owed Mulder that at least. But he needed to hurry. His leave of absence was nearly over. He'd been searching for five months. Those weird friends had helped as much as they could. Their concern for Scully nearly rivaled his own. They'd heard of a new pod in Oregon. These guys were nomadic, following sightings. Rumor had it they had a new doctor, a redhead. He'd gone out on less since she'd disappeared. Skinner entered the bar. He was in his new uniform now, jeans and t-shirt, with a leather jacket covering the gun at his back. He was fairly unremarkable. Women seemed to notice him more, which amused him on some level. That brooding melancholy that had surrounded Mulder for so long before Scully had joined him was apparently a bigger turn-on that he had ever imagined. He ordered a beer and sat off to the side to listen. He spoke to no one, looking at no one. Eventually his entrance was forgotten. After ordering a second beer, he left the bar for the men's room. No one paid attention and he slipped into the back room he'd heard about. The room seemed to be empty, but as he stood there, she came in from the other side. It was her, Scully. Her hair was longer, and she hadn't noticed him. She was wearing a lab coat and staring at some papers. He didn't move, but she became aware of his presence and looked up. She seemed less surprised than he had imagined. She straightened the lab coat and moved to the small desk, taking a seat behind it. "Walter." "Dana, I've come to take you home." She gave him a slight smile. "No, Walter." He shut up then, moving toward her. After a minute she looked away and he took a seat across the desk from her. "I want to help you." "I'm doing all right Walter." "Maybe, but your family isn't." Her eyebrow rose; he'd wasted no time playing the guilt card. "Look, I'm busy. I don't really have the time for a visit with an old friend." "Busy with what?" Her eyes were focused elsewhere, but she smiled. "I spent so much time not seeing, not believing. Her smile faded. "I could have been a help to him, instead I obstructed his work, tried to disprove what he instinctively knew. If I had worked with him instead of against him, we might have a defense, the vaccine might be accessible . . . I just, I just wouldn't allow myself to . . . " She shrugged. "I'm doing his work now and I'm going to find him. He's not dead. They've kept him longer than they kept me, but . . . " "Dana?" She shook her head and took a deep breath. "You don't think I can just leave you?" "Walter . . . " He rose from his seat to approach her. They both froze when the door burst open. "Move away from her!" Skinner recognized the sound of the pump action on the shotgun. He slowly brought his hands up to rest on his head. "Step back." "Gabe, no. He's a friend of mine," she said quickly, her hand out to stop what might happen. "He needs to prove that." "Okay." Skinner spoke for the first time. "How do I do that?" "You just stay still, we're going to check your blood." Skinner flushed at that, but made no comment. "Gabe, I'll do it." Scully stepped closer. "No ma'am. You just get back away from him, Doc. Lenny here will stick his finger." Another man had entered the room, also armed. He handed his gun to Scully and pulled a diabetes test kit out of his pocket. Skinner slowly extended his hand to him, doing his best not to look intimidating. "It's red." Lenny looked over at Gabe. "Do I pass?" "Let him check the back of your neck." "My neck?" The gun came back up. "Fine." He turned his back to Lenny and lowered his head to give him access. "He's clean." Lenny stepped back away from him and took the gun Scully offered him. "I'm sorry Dr. Scully," Gabe spoke then, "I guess - " "Gabe, don't apologize. I appreciate your concern." She smiled at the man, and Skinner saw the color suffuse his face. Great, another man smitten with Scully. "I need to talk with Walter for a few minutes. Thanks again." She walked them to the door and closed it behind them. "Walter, you need to under - " "Damn, Dana. It would be easier to see the quee - " He stopped, staring at her. She started to straighten her lab coat again, but why bother. She sighed and looked at him. "You . . . you're pregnant?" "Yes." "But . . but I thought . . . " "So did I. I didn't realize what was happening for far too long." "Too long - Dana, would you have done something - " "I . . . I should have said . . . I - " Skinner looked at the door then, outrage taking over his face. "Those men, did anyone here hurt - " "No. Oh, Walter, no. No one here has hurt me." He sagged with his relief. "It's Mulder's." That wasn't quite a question. "Yes." "Are you, Dana, are you okay?" "I'm so . . . tired." He wasn't sure who made the first move, but his arms were around her then, giving her as much support as he could. God it felt good to have this woman in his arms. Yes, he was stupid but . . . Then he felt the child move inside of her. Mulder's child. What the hell was he doing? He squeezed her, then stepped back, his arm still around her. He moved her to her chair. "It's going to be okay, Dana." "How long can you stay?" Was she aware there were tears in her eyes? "At least three weeks. Then I have to make a short trip home." "Three weeks?" That startled her. "I took a leave, six months. I've been looking for you." "For me? Six months? You can't be serious." "Completely serious. I can work out another six months." "Walter, no, you don't have to - " "Then come home with me." She shook her head. "Well I'm not leaving you out here, alone and pregnant." "I'm not alone and there are probably lots of pregnant women in Oregon." "You're alone if I'm not here. I've spent nearly six months tracking you down. I find you living with what are essentially survivalists who happen to hunt UFOs, and very pregnant. I'm not leaving you here." He stopped when he saw the tear escape her eye. "Dana?" "Hormones, ignore me. You'd really stay here with me?" "No way are you getting rid of me. Get used to the idea." She swiped at her eyes. "Have you eaten?" "Uh, no, just a beer before I came in here." Scully rose from the desk. "Why don't we go over to my place and eat. I have room, you can stay - " Skinner shook his head. "Much as that appeals, I think it would be better for me to get a room, maybe with Gabe." "Gabe?" "I saw how those two looked at you. You're their icon. I understand that. Having me in the same house . . . no, I'll be here, I'll be wherever you need me, but nowhere there'd be a hint of . . . scandal." "I never realized what a - " "Fogey?" "Gentleman you are. Having you here would be," she swallowed, "I'd like that." "Good, 'cause you're stuck with me. Didn't you mention a meal? I am getting kinda hungry." ***** He integrated himself well. He became her lieutenant and closest confidant but maintained his distance, allowing Gabe to help him find a place to live. He thought he had accepted Mulder's beliefs after seeing the man taken in front of him. But what he was learning every day with these people was beyond anything he had dreamed. If he did return to 'civilization' some day, and regained control of the X-Files, things would be different. For now, he was glad to be where he was. He sought a low profile position, but all too soon found people asking for his advice and assistance. Once again that marine training came in handy, and she trusted him. Her work was focused on the vaccine. Her midwife, Jessie, had put a stop to drawing her own blood, but allowed a couple of pipettes a week. Tests of every kind had been run on it. Other abductees had been returned and some of them worked with them as well. Their stories and memories fascinated Skinner. These were the kinds of things he'd seen in some of Mulder's reports and, to be honest, edited out before sending them on. Now he studied them with a new respect. These people weren't lunatics; they had experienced something horrific and lived to tell about it. He also kept a very close eye on her; moreso than she even knew. He took it as his job to ensure she got the rest he felt she needed, ate on time and as her due date grew closer, stopped her from traveling to the other groups - even when the information pulled at her. Every evening they ate together, sometimes with others, but usually alone. It was a time they used to connect and relax. They began trading stories. They spoke of Mulder's time as a profiler, when he had first become Spooky Mulder. That had started long before the X-Files, when he had still been in the academy. Skinner offered insights of Mulder before she came into his life; the cocky, brilliant loner that could see breadcrumbs in the forest when others couldn't even see the trees. Mulder's class had been given confidential information on a cold serial killer case. Mulder had read the case, spent one night thinking about it and come in the next morning with questions, good questions. Those questions had set the case on its ear and Timothy Jay Stone had been captured and convicted. It hadn't made him very popular. Neither had his expensive suits or slight British accent. Walter, on the other hand, had learned quite a bit about the rest of the story on so many of the X-Files. The reports hadn't scratched the surface and he found himself fascinated by what these two had investigated. She had his mouth hanging open on more than one case when she had come clean about them. Not that he would have believed, much less sent forward, the reports as she was telling them now. He also brought her up to date on the returnees. He had chosen that as his main assignment, going along on short retrieval missions. He was unwilling to be gone more than one night at any time. Scully had given up trying to dissuade him from that. She hadn't admitted she was grateful for it, even to herself. He'd been gone the night before, so he was looking forward to dinner tonight. He hurried to her place and let himself in. He spotted her in the kitchen and headed that way. She had her back to him so he hesitated, not wanting to startle her. "Dana?" She jerked slightly and turned, dashing a hand across her cheek. "Walter, I didn't hear you. Dinner's not ready yet." He had moved closer, looking at her closely. "What wrong?" "Nothing." "Right, you're fine." His eyes bored into hers. To his shock, she burst into tears. Without thought his arms went around her and she buried her face into his chest and her hands fisted in his t-shirt. He didn't ask any questions, not yet, just holding her as she cried herself out. When she finally began to relax, he led her to the couch and seated her. "I'm going to get you a glass of water." She nodded and leaned back, closing her eyes. When he sat beside her she sat up and took the glass he offered. She took a sip, then returned it to him. "What happened?" She shook her head, but he took her hand, squeezing it lightly. "Hormones?" she said lightly. "Okay, and what set them off?" She managed a small smile that faded rapidly. "He's still not back. I think every time you go out, but . . . " "That doesn't mean he won't be next." "Samantha never was." "That was different. You know that. You've told me so yourself, she was a payment from his father. He'll be back." She looked up with her wet eyes and after a moment nodded. "Can I ask a favor?" "Of course." "When . . . when the baby comes, Jessie is going to deliver it, but I'm going to need a, a coach. Would you . . . " "You want me to . . ." "I'd feel . . . safer, if you were there." He blinked, then a slight smile grew on his face. "I've never done anything like that." "Yeah, me either." He chuckled then. "Of course I will. Now, I want you to put your feet up and I'll fix us some dinner." "It's my turn," she protested. "You can pay me back later. How about an omelet?" "That sounds good. Walter, thank you." He winked at her and headed for the kitchen. When he looked back she had laid her head back against the couch and had her eyes closed. He sighed. What she needed was Mulder. ***** He searched out Jessie and finally found her heading for the lab. "You have a minute?" "Walter? Sure, you okay?" "Yes. I, uh, Dana asked me if I would be her coach, for the birth." "Good. She'll need the support." "I don't know anything about . . . " "That's not a problem. I'll be there for the medical part. Dana will need someone to help her stay on task, have someone's hand to hold. She's adamant about no hospital and I agree with her. On the other hand, I was a nurse before I moved to midwifery and I want some safety valves too." He tensed immediately. "Is there a problem?" "Not that I know about, but that's part of the problem. We're not going to be in a hospital with all of the equipment." "Do we need to overrule her?" "No. That would upset her and that's the last thing you want during a birth if you can avoid it. I'm planning to use an IV, that way if there is a problem I can put her under quickly, or give her blood." Walter's eyes narrowed. "Talk to me." She met his eyes without flinching. "She's a little woman. I want to take precautions." After a moment he nodded. "I want to be more than 'support'." She assessed him. It was no wonder he had risen to a position of authority here so quickly. He exuded confidence and power. "Fine. We'll get together about this. I'll give you some websites to check out. You can't have much hands-on experience, since no one else is pregnant, but I think you could be a help." "Thank you." ***** She startled him, breaking in on him in his room without knocking. "Some more have been returned." "Forget it Dana. You're not going anywhere." She sighed impatiently. "I know, but could you go? I have to know if they know anything about Mulder." "Dana, I'm not comfortable leaving you." "I'm not due for a couple of weeks. I just want you to check it out. Don't worry, I have no intention of having this baby without you." "And you have some extraordinary control over that?" he said dryly. She rolled her eyes. "It's a first baby. Traditionally they come late and I'm not dilated as per Jessie's last examination." He winced slightly at that, but didn't dispute her. "You can be back in a day or two. All you need is to interview them. You've done that plenty of times now. Just find out if they know anything." "Where?" "Arizona, near Tempe." Seasons 2/3 She moved as fast as her hugely pregnant belly would allow. Could it be him? Had they really found him, alive? A Braxton-Hicks contraction slowed her pace, but not for long. As soon as the pain of her tightening muscles began to ebb she was moving again. Then there were people in her way. No, damn it! She had to see him, she needed to see him. And then he was there, head and shoulders above the others. As though joined, his eyes found hers amidst the crowd and locked on her. She couldn't move, couldn't breathe. It was true, he was alive, he was here. He began moving toward her, mindless of the people surrounding him. Pain sliced through her and she doubled over, clutching her abdomen. She felt someone's hand steady her. His face went from awe and joy to panic in an instant as he swept through everyone to reach her. He had his arms around her. "We've sent for Jessie." He heard someone say, but he didn't acknowledge it. "Scully?" "I'm . . . I'm okay. But it's started." "What's started?" "She's in labor, Mulder." Another voice spoke in his ear, but he didn't turn. Labor? He looked down at the woman in his arms. Scully? Scully so large with child? "Bring her in here." Another voice, so damn many people. He needed to be with her, he needed to talk to her. Forgetting the others, he moved her gently to the room indicated and helped her sit on the small sofa. The pain had subsided for now and for a long moment they just stared at one another. "Scully, I . . . " His eyes moved down involuntarily. She gave him a sad smile. "Not exactly the way I visualized seeing you again." "Well it's a cinch I'm not going to be throwing you on the floor and having my way with you," he quipped. "No, not today." "Scully . . . how?" "The old fashion way." He paled at that and she took his hand. "Just for the record, since you've been 'out of town' for awhile, it is yours." He huffed out a breath. "Mine." "There's been no one else." She had to smile at his expression. Her smile was cut short by the next contraction. "Scully? Breathe, Scully. Tell me what to do." He caressed her shoulders, not knowing how to help her, though desperate to do so. He tensed at the tap on the door, then a woman joined them. Without thought he moved in front of Scully, protecting her with his body. "I'm Jessie Calder. I'm the midwife." "Mulder, it, it's okay." She laid her hand on his arm. He looked the new woman up and down, but moved out of the way. Jessie squatted beside Scully as Mulder took her hand. "How you doin', Dana?" "These aren't Braxton-Hicks." Scully still sounded breathless to him. "Yeah," Jessie was taking her pulse from the hand Mulder didn't possess. "Seeing Mulder here probably shocked you into labor. It's okay; you're only a couple of weeks early." "What?" Mulder was staring at Scully, fear evident on this face. "This is because - " "Mulder, it's okay. I've been having Braxton Hicks contractions for days. False labor," she explained at his blank expression. "Dana, we need to get you over to the clinic." Scully nodded. "Wait, we need to get her to a hospital." "No, Mulder, I'm having the baby here. I need your help." She struggled to rise from the sofa and he had his arms around her, lifting her effortlessly to her feet. Jessie took her other arm, but kept quiet. They walked slowly to the building Jessie indicated, having to stop once when she was gripped by another labor pain. Jessie led them to one of the examining rooms and while Mulder helped Scully onto the table, she pulled out a gown. "Do you want me to help you change, Dana?" "No, Mulder can help me." "Okay. When you're dressed I need to do a quick exam." Jessie let herself out into the hall. Scully began unbuttoning the maternity dress she wore, but his hands stopped her. "May I?" "If you're trying to seduce me, I'm not really in the mood." She looked up at him, a small smile gracing her lips. "I want to see you." "Great," she muttered under her breath. "You couldn't show up when I have my figure back." But there were tears of joy in her eyes. Rather than speak, he finished unbuttoning the dress and slid it over her arms. Then he unhooked her bra and removed it as well. Her body was so different from the last time he had seen it. It had been hard to take in that he had been gone so long when they had told him. Now he believed it. This woman had changed with the burden of his child in her body. "Mulder?" "Uh, yeah. You're just so beautiful." She blushed and wouldn't meet his eyes. "Am I a complete pervert?" She shook her head. Then her eyes closed and her breathing grew shallow. His hands automatically came up to caress her taut stomach, wanting to soothe away the pain. She leaned against him, taking in the strength he offered until the pain subsided and she sat up a little straighter. "I should put on the gown." He smoothed her hair back and nodded, and slipped her arms into the sleeves. She slipped her panties off and tossed them onto the pile with the rest of her things. Another tap on the door interrupted them, then Jessie stuck her head in. "Ready for me?" "I guess so." Scully tried to smile. "I'll be gentle. Mulder, if you'll step out - " "No." They said it in unison, as through rehearsed a thousand times. Jessie looked down to hide her smile. "Okay, then I need you to help me. Mulder, she needs to recline." Mulder helped her down onto the table. "Good girl, now scoot down this way. You know the drill." Scully nodded and with Mulder's help moved down as Jessie requested. "I'll be as gentle as I can." "Just hurry," Scully spoke softly. Mulder hadn't understood. Her hand tightened around his in a painful grip as Jessie examined her and his eyes narrowed as he watched this woman. Jessie sat up and removed her glove, then saw Mulder's expression. "This is necessary, Mulder. I won't do it any more than I have to, I promise." "Mulder," Scully shook his hand to draw his attention. "It's okay. Jessie?" "You're at four and fully effaced. It's gonna be a while." "Four?" Her look of disappointment drew a chuckle from Jessie. "That's nearly half way. I wouldn't complain," she said dryly. "Okay, I'm going to give you guys some privacy, but I'll be right out here. Call me for anything." "We will; thanks." Scully let Jessie and Mulder help her sit up. Mulder kept quiet until the door closed. "Are you really okay?" "Well, I'm in labor, but I'm okay." "Why no hospital? They could give you - " "Mulder, there's a lot of things we should talk about. I'm not going to a hospital. I don't want anyone to know that our child is born. It's better that way." "Better for you?" "Better for everyone." He accepted that in silence for the time being, not wanting to argue with her. "Shouldn't you be lying down?" She shook her head. "I should be up and walking. Give me a hand?" He took the proffered hand, but didn't assist her to her feet. "Walking?" "Yes, as long as I can. Gravity needs to be on my side." His brow furrowed, but she was in charge of this show. He lifted her down from the table and put his arm around her. "You know, if you picked me up and shook me really good - " "Not funny, Scully. Talk to me, tell me why you're here and not . . . " His voice trailed off as her breathing grew shallow again. ***** She talked at first, bringing him up to date on her new life, new career. He was stunned at the changes in her, not just her body; her whole philosophy had undergone a radical change during his absence. He heard her words, but his mind was on her body, her pain. She hung from his chest as contraction after contraction racked her body. He was as unprepared for this had he had been to be taken from her in the first place. She found that sitting in the V of his legs was a soothing position for her, where she was able to rest against his chest as his hands moved in soothing circles on her abdomen. He didn't stop when the contractions ended and she sighed, leaning back into the comfort of him. Without thought he was sniffing her hair, one hand crept up to her breast and with a start he realized he was becoming aroused. "God, I'm sorry Scully," he growled as she squirmed against his erection. "I'm not. And don't be embarrassed, Mulder. I think this is the nicest thing anyone's done for me in months. Guess there weren't many women where you were." "There are no other women. Haven't I convinced you of that yet?" "Well this is a pretty good way. Can you tell me what you remember?" So he talked then, his thoughts and memories disjointed, but the sound of his voice was what she needed, what she had needed all these months. The words didn't matter right now; there would be plenty of time to deal with that later. And the pain continued. He actually welcomed Jessie's presence the next time she checked on them. He dabbed the sweat from Scully's brow and tried to help her through the next exam. "You're about six, Dana - " "Six?" Scully let her head fall back to rest on Mulder's chest. "You've got to be kidding." Jessie shook her head. "You know if I break your water it could speed things up, but it'll get more intense." "More intense," Mulder blurted that out without meaning to. But she had to be kidding, right? "Do it, this has to be over soon," Scully spoke wearily, ignoring Mulder's comment. "Just rest for a minute, Scully." He gently helped her recline back against the pillow and moved over to Jessie, pulling her slightly away from the bed. "Is it too late to move her to a hospital?" "Mulder, we can't do that." "They could give her something for the pain. She can't keep on like this." Jessie eyed him with sympathy. She'd heard the tales of these two. To be honest, she'd always thought they were more than a little exaggerated, but seeing them together, now, they hadn't scratched the surface. "She's doing very well, Mulder. Natural childbirth is painful, but she and I have discussed this. She knew what she was getting into and it's really safer for both of them under the circumstances." "What circumstances? She hasn't - " "This is the first child born of parents that have both had the vaccine. There are people out there who would love to have him. She . . . we are not going to let that happen." He fell silent at her words. Scully hadn't talked about that. She had to go through this, here, because the child was his. "Mulder, it's going to be okay." "She's getting tired." "That's why I want to go ahead and break her water. She is tired. She worked late last night." "She worked?" "Everyone here works. And she did think she had a couple more weeks." His face darkened at that. "Yeah, I caused that too." Jessie touched his arm. "I'm sorry; I shouldn't have said that earlier. She could've have gone into labor at any time. You're not to blame." "Mulder!" He turned and quickly had her in his arms, rocking her, wanting to absorb the pain from her. When it had ended she looked up at him and said softly. "Now that's a face I recognize. Why the guilt?" He shook his head, kissing her forehead gently. "Mulder?" "I love you. I want this to be over." She closed her eyes and rubbed her cheek against his chest. "Go ahead Jessie. I want it over too." "Okay." The woman pulled an instrument from the drawer and Mulder winced at the sight. "Mulder, let her relax against you. Dana, ready?" Scully nodded and tried to keep her breathing even, but the contraction as her water broke drew a moan from her that caused the hairs to rise on Mulder's arms. He looked up at Jessie, who was watching him with sympathy. "Okay, no more walking now, but sit up if you can, let Mulder support your back. I'm going to put in the IV now, like we talked about." Scully nodded but didn't speak. ***** Walter had rushed back, hearing that Mulder was ahead of him. He needed to see the man, get his forgiveness, but he'd forgotten him completely with the news that Dana had gone into labor. He was her coach; he should never have left her. There were, for lack of a better word, guards around the clinic, but he wasn't stopped. There were no crowds, Dana wouldn't want that. He burst into the newly set-up delivery room to see Dana leaning against Mulder, and . . . Mulder, of course he'd be here with her. His look was not welcoming, but Dana's eyes opened. "Walter. He's really here." "And just in time I see," he tried to sound normal, but he knew his emotions were betraying him, to Mulder at any rate. "Listen, I'll be right out here if you need anything." "Thank you, Walter." She looked up at Mulder and Skinner saw her body tense and heard the man murmur loving words into her ear as he shut the door. Skinner stood there with his hand on the knob until Jessie touched his arm, bringing him back. "What timing, huh?" "Yeah." Skinner forced himself away from the door. "Is she okay?" "She's tiring. I hope it won't be too much longer." He nodded and sank into a chair. "You okay?" "Me? Yeah, I'm fine. I thought I would stay though, in case you need . . . " "Thanks. That's a good idea." They both turned at the sounds of pain they could hear muffled by the door. "I better check on things." He nodded; his throat tight. ***** "She's most comfortable in your arms, Mulder. We need to help her. This isn't a small baby. Let's use you as a birthing chair, okay? You can support her and help her push." He nodded unable to speak, too many emotions assaulting him, though the top one now was recognizably fear. He lifted her effortlessly back into his lap and felt some of the tension leave her body. She was beyond speech now, but she kept a grip on him, letting him know how much she needed his presence. Someday when he felt stronger, he would analyze the feelings that evoked. "Dana, that's good. The baby's right here. Give me a long slow push. Mulder will count for you. You're doing great." Then, "Dana, he's crowning. Give me your hand." And he watched as Scully touched their child, even before it was born. "Mulder." It was all she could say, but he understood, letting Jessie guide his hand as well and he touched the baby's scalp. His baby, his and Scully's. Something beyond his wildest dreams. Jessie gave a small smile at the tears streaming down his face. He seemed unaware of them, but the look on his face as he watched Dana brought tears to her own eyes. "Okay Dana, let's have a baby. One, two . . . " Mulder took up the count as Jessie supported the child. "Dana, the head's out. Let's do the shoulders and we can greet this little one." Then, almost before Mulder was ready, the child had been born and was screaming in Jessie's hands. "Well, I'd call that lusty." She smiled up at the awestruck man. She lay the squalling infant in Scully's arms and Mulder's joined hers. "It's a boy," Scully said breathlessly. "Mulder, a son." "Mulder, move Dana to the bed. Now." He looked up at the tone in Jessie's voice. She had taken the child back and her face . . . blood, there was blood, a lot of it. "Hurry." Mulder was already moving, lifting her onto the table as Scully's head lolled back against his chest. Jessie shoved the infant into his arms and lowered the head of the table. "Walter!" She shouted without looking around. Walter? But Mulder was too frightened to question anything, holding his son tightly against his chest. The older man burst into the room and took in the scene in front of him, his face pale. "Get the blood, hurry." He didn't hesitate, moving instantly to the small cooler near the door and pulling out two pints of blood. He didn't ask instructions, recalling every word Jessie had said about this procedure. "Mulder, talk to her, make her come back." He nodded and knelt at her head. "Scully, listen to me, you can't leave me, not now. I'll make a lousy parent. I'm the kind of Dad that would let him have cookies and ice cream for breakfast, or forget to restrict his on-line access. Hell, I might forget and let him hang out with Frohike and Langly. I need you, we need you. You can hear me Scully, I know you can. Come on." Mulder looked up then. Walter already had one of the pints of blood flowing into Scully's arm and was working on the second. Jessie was at the far end of the table and he couldn't see what she was doing from his angle at Scully's head. He returned his focus to Scully. She was the only thing that mattered. In a few minutes Jessie looked up. "The bleeding has slowed. I think I've got it." "She's going to be okay?" Mulder asked anxiously. "I'm going to keep a very close eye on her. Why don't you give me the baby?" "What?" He pulled away from her. "I'm not going to take him away, I just need to clean him up, check him out." The look of anguish on his face nearly brought her to tears again; that would terrify this man. "Mulder, I won't leave the room with him. Okay?" He looked down at the newborn in his arms and after a moment, reluctantly allowed her to take him. "Mulder," Skinner's hand was on his shoulder and he flinched. Skinner made no comment on that, "you look like you need to lie down before you fall down." Mulder jerked away. "I'm not leaving." "You need to rest. Jessie won't leave her." Walter tried to draw the man's attention. "Neither will I," his tone brooked no discussion. "Then I'll bring a cot in here, you can stretch out. You'll be right here beside her." Walter sighed, but he honestly had expected no different. "Mulder, you're dead on your feet. You'll be no good to her if you collapse." "Why are you here?" He whispered it, so as not to disturb Scully or the baby, but Skinner heard him loud and clear. "I wanted to make sure she was okay. After I . . . I lost you, I wanted to look after her. It took a while to find her, but - " "She left, and you followed her." "Mulder, we can talk about this later." "We will." His voice was quiet, deadly. Skinner nodded. "Take a little break. Jessie says she's stable." Mulder turned away, not acknowledging the man. Walter glanced over at Jessie, who nodded to him and he let himself out. He returned quickly with a folding cot and set it up at Scully's side. "Come on, Mulder. You're exhausted. You'll be right here with her." After a moment Mulder lowered himself to the cot and let his head fall into his hands. "Mulder, Walter's right. We have the bleeding stopped. Just rest for a little while. She's going to need you." Jessie's hand squeezed his shoulder. Mulder nodded without bothering to look up, then stretched out and draped one arm over his eyes. Skinner thought he was asleep before his next breath. ***** Seasons 3 ***** "Scully!" He jerked awake and was on his feet before he was aware of his surroundings. Scully looked over at him and smiled. He saw that she was in the bed, her head slightly inclined. The IVs were gone. How long had he slept? Their son was in her arms and Skinner was beside her looking at the baby. "Are you okay? Should you be up? " "I'm fine, Mulder." Her smile widened at his grimace. "Really, I am. Tired but okay." She looked up at Walter. "He's beautiful, isn't he?" Skinner nodded. "Sure is. Well, now that Mulder's awake, I'll give you guys some privacy. I won't be far if you need me." "Thank you, Walter." Her eyes said more and Mulder looked away. "Well," he cleared his throat. "I'll see you later." He met Mulder's eye and nodded shortly. Scully missed the exchange, looking down at the baby. As soon as the door closed behind Skinner, Mulder moved to the bed. "How are you really?" She smiled. "Honestly, Mulder. I'm good." Her smiled dimmed at his shudder. "Walter told me what happened." "Walter." She nodded, looking down at the baby again. "He's been a godsend to me." Her attention on the tiny boy, she missed his reaction to that statement. The baby began to snuffle then, searching for her breast. "What do you think?" She looked up at him. "I still can't believe it," Mulder said. "I've felt that way for months." She looked up and her expression literally took his breath away. Then she shyly unfastened the top of her gown. "Wait, Scully wait. Maybe you should . . . maybe a bottle - " "Don't even start," she interrupted, letting the boy latch onto her nipple. "I've already had this argument with Walter. I'm nursing my son, end of discussion." His face was carefully blank; she had discussed breastfeeding their son with Skinner? He glanced toward the door where the man had disappeared and felt a tightness in his chest that he couldn't shake. "Could you get me a large glass of water and a washcloth?" He nodded and moved to get the things she requested. When he returned to her side, he paused. With the baby at her breast she looked like a sexy Madonna. His eyes moistened yet again at the look on her face. He tentatively sat beside her on the bed. Her hand came out to hold his and he relaxed slightly. "Mulder, are you okay?" "Still trying to come down to earth, I guess." He managed to grin at her chuckle, but he was reeling. Her hand tightened around his. "I don't think I can ever make you understand what it means to me that you were here." "You nearly - " "I'm fine, Mulder. And that's because of you. If, Mulder, if you hadn't been here . . . " "What?" He moved closer, "Scully, what?" "I know I was in danger. But you were here, I had to stay. I want to be with you, with you and our son." His eyes locked on her and his lips parted, but he didn't speak. His throat completely closed with emotion. Her eyes filled with tears again, in recognition. "It's okay, Mulder. Welcome home." She let him take their son into his arms, knowing he needed it more than anything else right now. "I never . . . " He shook his head and just looked down at the baby. "When they told me how long I'd been gone I didn't believe it. Chris, do you know Chris?" Scully smiled. "Yes. He's done some great retrieval work for us. He's very good with the returnees. Most of them aren't as . . . cool about things as you might be." "Cool? Not when I realized how long I'd been without you. You're right about Chris, though. He has a good bedside manner." They visited then, not talking of anything of consequence. Each other's presence was all that was really necessary. When she yawned, he rose and had her recline. She was asleep in no time, so he carefully placed their son back in his bassinet and moved toward the door. Skinner looked up as the door opened. Mulder stopped when he saw him waiting just outside. His face hardened. "Is she okay?" Skinner asked quietly. "She's asleep. So's the baby." Skinner nodded. "I brought you some dinner. I didn't think you'd had a meal since you got here." Mulder hesitated, but hunger won out. "Thanks." He took a seat across from his former boss. Instead of looking at Skinner, he focused on the bowl of stew and began to eat. "How are you doing?" Skinner asked the younger man. "How long have you been here?" Mulder responded with his own question. Skinner nodded. "Okay, you want to do this now?" "Do this?" "You want to ask me to step outside? Go ahead. Yes, I've been here with her, for her." Mulder flinched visibly from that statement. "All I ask is that if you do ask me outside, we keep it away from Scully. Go ahead, black my eye, break my jaw, but keep her out of it." After a minute, Mulder nodded. "Tell me what's been going on." "We've been looking for you." "Together." "Yes, together, all of us. There're over 40 in this group and there are other groups. We're growing." "We?" Finally Skinner smiled. "Yeah, we. All of us UFO weirdo's." Mulder blinked at that. "You?" Skinner chuckled. "Yeah, me." He sobered then. "I lost you. I let them take you." "You - " "Scully asked me to go with you, to keep an eye on things and I let you slip away under my nose." He sighed. "By the time I got back to DC, she was gone." "Gone?" Skinner nodded. "Before I could get to town to tell her what had happened. She knew. She went underground immediately to look for you. She didn't know about the baby, not then. I had to find her. I owed you that." Mulder just watched him, not speaking. "It took me nearly five months to find her." "Five months? What about your job?" "I took a leave." He shrugged. "You're in love with her," Mulder's voice hardened. "I care about her," Skinner agreed. "You quit your job for her. It's been longer than five months." "Yeah, I didn't go back. I work here now." "Because of her." Skinner shrugged. "I guess it started that way. How could I see her in that condition and just head back to DC? I couldn't leave her. Besides, my effectiveness at the Bureau has been questionable for a long time. I took early retirement and told them I was going fishing. I dropped off their radar and became her first lieutenant. We looked for you." "You traveled together?" "Until Jessie and I put a stop to her traveling, yes." He met Mulder's look head on. "If you honestly expected me to do less, you don't know me very well." "You, you just walked in, while she was giving birth." "I was her coach, until you showed up. I'm not sorry you did. I think you saved her life." "Me?" "She wouldn't leave you." Skinner watched that information seep into Mulder's soul and saw his stance soften. "What about her mother?" Skinner's face saddened at that question. "Scully's been in touch, discretely. She knows Scully is alive, but not where we are . . . not about the baby. Scully said it would be dangerous for her. I think she could have used her, especially today, but it was her call." Mulder nodded. "The guys?" "I've been in touch. They helped me find her, but we need them in place. They don't where we are either." "So it's just been the two of you?" "No, it's me, Gabe, Jessie, Phil, Lenny, Elizabeth . . . do you want me to go on?" Mulder shook his head. "I need a little time . . . to, to absorb . . ." "I know." "What, what have you found? I mean, besides me, the other returnees?" "Scully's been working on trying to figure out the make up of the vaccine she was given - " "That I gave her." Skinner nodded. "We had to stop her from taking her own blood to experiment. She didn't have yours to investigate. Now she can concentrate on you and the baby's cord - " "No, she won't be working for a while." "Mulder, look I understand, but she's okay now. We need to find this vaccine and soon. Something's going on, and it's - " "She needs time to heal." "Yes, but this is something she won't let sit for any time. And with you here, she's already healing in ways she didn't know she needed. Can't you see that? Now that we have the baby, your baby's cord blood - " "The baby? Does she suspect there's anything wrong - " "No, not wrong. Mulder, your son is the only child we know where both parents have been vaccinated. We don't know what that means. It's one of the things she's wanted to check out." "Can't someone else do it? Give her a break." "I don't think she's going to want one. Mulder, you know Scully, you know her better than anyone. She's not going to let someone else handle this." "The guys, they can - " "The guys already check every thing she does. They get the same samples she uses. Don't worry." Skinner's hand came up when Mulder jerked forward. "We encrypt everything and within the encryption we code it. No two packages are sent from the same location. I've learned some good paranoia from them and the people here. Everyone here's first priority is to protect Scully, and now your son." "Even you?" "Yes." They were quiet then for several moments. "I need to shower and shave." "You should do that now, while Scully's asleep." Mulder glanced toward the door again. "Will you be here, in case she needs anything?" "Yes. I'll keep an eye on her for you." "Thank you," Mulder said finally. "We can talk more - " "Yes. Yes, we'll do that." Mulder nodded, mostly to himself, then headed for her place. He needed the shower, but more importantly he needed to get back here, back to his family, Scully and his son. They still had a lot to talk about, a lot to do. Donna http://www.donnas-stories.com/ "Writing is not necessarily something to be ashamed of, but do it in private and wash your hands afterwards." Robert Heinlein If every customer who vists Wal-Mart in a week bought one long-lasting compact fluorescent (CF) light bulb, that would reduce electric bills by $3 billion, conserve 50 billion tons of coal and keep one billion incandescent light bulbs out of landfills over the life of the bulb. - Fortune Magagine 8/7/06