From: Donna Honeycutt Date: Wed, 03 Jan 2001 16:37:46 -0500 Subject: Unknown Lives - 2 Source: direct Title - Unknown Lives - 2 Author - Donna Email address - donnah@pop.uky.edu URL - www.geocities.com/Area51/Quadrant/4571/ Rating - R Category - MSR Spoilers - None Keywords - MSR, Alternative Universe Summary - See part 1 Feedback - Please Disclaimer - Mulder, Scully, the Lone Gunman and Skinner all belong to Chris Carter, 10-13 and Fox. No infringement intended. Unknown Lives part 2 It took awhile for anyone to answer the door. He knew he was on their surveillance camera, what was the problem? Did they not recognize him? Yes, he tried to disguise himself in this city, but surely . . .Finally he heard the locks being disengaged. "What do you want?" "Frohike? What - " "Come in Mulder." Byers moved in front of the smaller man and opened the door wider. Mulder entered and turned once inside, allowing them to relock the door. He didn't feel very welcome. He didn't try to enter the apartment. "What's wrong?" "What are you doing here?" Frohike's hostility was obvious. He hesitated slightly, then looked at the other two men. "I have some new information. I wanted to get your take on it." He tucked a strand of hair behind his ear. Frohike stomped off, muttering to himself. "What's wrong?" He tried to read their expression, but neither man would meet his eye. "Is it Doc? Is something wrong?" His voice shook slightly on the last word. "Mulder . . . " "You knock her up and then vanish. A real sweetheart, you are." Frohike made sure he heard that. His mouth fell open and he looked at Byers, but couldn't get the man to look him in the eye. It took him a long moment to find his voice. "Doc's pregnant?" "Yeah." Finally Byers spoke. "I told you he didn't know." Langly turned to Frohike. Mulder ignored them. "Can you get her over here? I need to talk to her." "I don't know Mulder. She's been avoiding us lately." Byers could see what this was doing to him. "I have to talk to her. Please." Byers glanced at the other two and nodded. He moved to the phone and took a deep breath. "Dr. Dana Scully please." After what seemed like an extremely long wait to Mulder, "Dana? It's John Byers. Could you come by?" "John - " "Please. We have some information." John heard her sigh. "Just for a minute, okay? I get off at three. I'll see you then." "Thanks Dana." He heard her hang up and returned his own phone to the base. "She'll be here after three." Mulder nodded but said nothing. "Mulder, you want us to go over your information?" Langly finally broke the silence. He reached into his coat pocket and withdrew a couple of computer disks and some printed sheets. Langly took them and sat in front of the computer. The other three men quickly became fascinated with the information, but Mulder himself was unable to concentrate. After several attempts, they left him alone. Even Frohike was mellowing at his obvious discomposure. It was 3:35 before the buzzer sounded. Mulder had pulled his hair back into a neat ponytail. He didn't want to look scruffy for her. He was on his feet instantly and moved out of sight, then nodded to Byers who opened the door. "John, let's make this short. I'm tired and I have things to do." Byers looked over toward Mulder with no comment. She turned to see what had his attention and her face went white. Mulder was already moving and had his arm around her, supporting her. "I'm . . . I'm fine." He didn't bother to argue with her, bending over to place one arm under her knees and lifting her into his arms. Byers motioned toward his bedroom and Mulder carried her in, and shut the door behind them. He lowered her gently onto Byers' bed. "Are you alright?" "Yes, I'm . . . I was surprised." "Doc, I didn't - " He knelt in front of her. "Aren't you going to ask if it's yours?" "I know it's mine." He placed one hand on her rounded belly. "You're six months." She nodded, her eyes moist at his words. "If I'd known . . . " She shook her head and smoothed down the hair he had obviously been running through with his fingers for some time. "How are you? Don't say fine, I need to know. How are you really?" "I'm doing great. It's been a picture perfect pregnancy so far, if a little unexpected." "Unexpected?" He didn't know how to react to that word. "Well, I was on the pill. I don't - " "This baby was meant to be." A tear escaped her eye then and he caught it as it trailed down her cheek. "Do you believe that?" She nodded, unable to speak. He sat beside her on the bed then and took her into his arms. After a few moments he put his finger under her chin and turned her face up to him. "How are you otherwise?" She understood his question and took a deep breath. "My family isn't exactly thrilled. Especially my father. It's kind of hard for him to face the fact that his medical doctor daughter got in trouble from a one night stand." "Not a one night stand." "Okay, three nights, but - " "Doc." She sighed. "I need to talk to them." "That's not necessary." "Yes. It is. But I'm not sure it would be wise right now." She nodded. "What are your plans?" "They've changed." His hand went back to her swollen abdomen. "What were they?" Her hand covered his. "I was going to drop off the information I'd accumulated with the guys and leave. Only be in town a couple of hours." "You weren't going to call me?" He looked down, then back up at her face. "I thought I was protecting you." "And now?" "I can't leave you. I won't leave you." She leaned against his strong body and for a moment let him comfort her. "You can't stay here. The military hasn't given up on finding you. The colonel comes by the hospital randomly, checking to see if you've come back." He stiffened, "has he bothered you?" "Annoyed maybe. He can't prove anything." "He knows you're pregnant?" She smiled slightly. "On me it's a little hard to miss." "I want you to leave with me." "What?" Mulder's eyes widened at the movement within her. He swallowed but didn't know what to say, didn't know if he could speak. She smiled at his reaction and placed a soft kiss on his cheek. "Are you . . . " He stopped to center himself. "I don't want you to even go by your apartment. We need to get out of town, now." "Mulder, I can't just leave. My job, my family. I can't." "Doc - " "My doctor's here - " "Do you trust him?" His eyes were intense now. "What tests has he run?" "I've been going to him for years. We don't socialize or anything." "And the tests?" His grip had tightened but he didn't seem to notice. "Nothing unusual. He asked if I wanted an amino and I said no. I'm under the age where they're considered necessary. Mulder, what?" "Was he okay with that?" She thought about that for a moment. "He seemed to be, now you've got me wondering." "Anything else, anything unusual about how he's treating you?" He was so tense. She wanted to caress his face, try to calm him down, but her own mind had clicked into gear and he saw her hesitate. "What?" "It's silly. My doctor is in a practice with two other OB-GYNs. Usually when you have your monthly visits you rotate among the doctors so that you are familiar with everyone. You never know who might be on duty when you go into labor. But all of my visits have been with Dr. Hambright. I even teased him about it last time and he made some comment about doctor's privilege." "He's monitoring you. Doc, can you draw your own blood? Would it be safe?" "Yes. What are you thinking?" "I want these guys to make sure everything's okay. What about an ultrasound?" "Dr. Hambright scheduled one, but I had to miss the appointment. He rescheduled it but I haven't gone yet. I know the date of conception, so we didn't need it for that. Mulder, what are you thinking?" "That I'm going to do whatever I have to do to keep you safe." She relaxed slightly and managed to smile. "We need to get out of town tonight." "Mulder, I can't. If I don't show up at work tomorrow everyone will notice. They would start looking for me, for us." She kissed him quickly. "Think about it, vanishing would raise every flag. I should go to work like normal tomorrow. I'm working three days on, four days off right now - moving toward my maternity leave. If I work tomorrow - like normal - we could have a four day head start." "Did I fall in love with your brains or your beauty?" "I hope it wasn't my body." She looked down at the largest part of her and chuckled. "I can't imagine you more beautiful that you are right now." She looked away, a blush heating her face. After a moment he kissed her forehead and rose. "Let's get your blood, then we need to get you home. You said you were tired." "I'm not anymore." He took her hand and lifted her to her feet. While Langly and Frohike helped her with the blood sample, Mulder took Byers aside. "Her apartment, her car?" "We check them both twice a week at random times. Her car's been clean; we only found one bug at her place. As far as we know it's still functioning fine in the apartment directly above hers." Mulder nodded, he'd been right to ask them to keep an eye on her. But it should have been him. He looked up when she entered the room. "I want you to go home, pack a few things." "Where will you be?" "If I can get one of these guys to give me a ride, I'll be meeting you at the backdoor very shortly." She smiled broadly and looked over at Byers. "No problem. Go home Dana, we'll be right behind you." She hadn't paid this much attention to ensuring she wasn't followed for weeks. Suddenly it was important again and she was doubly careful. Her hands were trembling slightly with anticipation as she let herself into the apartment. Pack, she needed to pack. She was going to run away with him. She hadn't even hesitated. Even as he was putting forth the idea she was formulating plans on how to get out of town safely. That surprised her a little; she wasn't an impulsive person, not usually. But when he was around - she caressed her protruding stomach. She laughed softly to herself, okay maybe she was impulsive. She belonged with him, and if he thought they weren't safe here, she believed him. She had her suitcase laid out on her bed when she heard the tap at her backdoor. She hurried to open it and let him in. Before she could speak he had her in his arms, his lips on hers. She didn't even see Byers move past them into the apartment. When she could speak, he stopped her again and bent closer to whisper into her ear. "Let him check it out first." She nodded puzzled, but whatever he thought . . . Shortly Byers rejoined them in the kitchen. "All clean. See you guys later." Then he let himself out the door. "What was he talking about?" "He was checking your apartment for bugs, listening devices. I've had them check periodically since I left." "They've been in here? Checking my apartment?" "And your car." "Why?" "I wanted to make sure you were left alone, that they really didn't think you knew where I was." That took her a moment to absorb that. "You were looking after me even after you . . . But they never found anything, right?" "Once. Here in the apartment." Her eyes widened and his grip on her tightened. "Don't worry. The guys didn't destroy it, they only moved it, to the apartment upstairs." She still didn't speak, trying to take it in. He had been right, they were following her, watching her. How much danger was she in? Was her child safe? "I told you, I'm not going to let anything happen to you. I'm getting you out of here. Remember when you fed me that first day and I said I couldn't reciprocate. Well I can now. I have a place, a different identity in another part of the country. I want you with me. Please think about it. Doc, I want you with me." "They . . . they were in here?" He realized he was supporting her and moved her toward the living room to seat her gently on the couch. He squeezed her hand gently then went into the kitchen and returned quickly with a glass of water. "Doc, here. Take a sip. Come on, stay with me." She obeyed him silently, giving herself over to him. "Doc? You okay?" "I . . . they really want you, don't they?" He nodded solemnly. "That's why I want you out of here. I want you where I know they aren't looking. And I want you with me. I need to confess something to you. I could easily have sent the information I brought . . . I needed to know you were safe. I didn't plan to see you, I didn't think I could handle that and then just leave again, but I wanted to be in the same city for a little while." Her hand came up to his face. It was shaking slightly but when she touched him she steadied and drew his face down to hers. "I want you Doc. I know I don't have the right -" "Mulder, stop. Stop right there. You have the right, I gave you the right six months ago and I have no intention of taking it back. Besides, I want you too. I . . . I look a little different." He smiled then as his eyes raked her again. "Maybe a little, but I can't wait to see more." "That's the problem, there's so much more to see." He chuckled then and her eyes drifted close as his hands began an exploration of her body. He'd forgotten none of the things that she enjoyed. What he wasn't prepared for was her enthusiasm. His concern about her 'condition' diminished quickly. He was the one in danger here and he was enjoying every minute of it. ***** She had only been gone a few minutes and he already missed her so much he ached from it. She was coming with him, she trusted him that much even after what he had done to her. He had no memories, but somehow he knew that he had never had a child. This one, this child that they had created was very nearly the most important thing in the world - following only her. He was startled from his reverie by the sound of someone trying to unlock the front door. Shit! He had to get out, something had alerted them. He quickly moved to the back door and slipped out, grateful that everything he had brought was on his back. He pulled the door silently closed and made sure it was locked from the inside. He hid himself in the alley and watched to see if he was followed from the apartment. After a moment he moved farther into the alley and pulled his cell phone from his pocket. He quickly dialed the number at the apartment of her friends. "Yeah?" "Go check on Doc. Now!" He broke the connection to ensure there would be no trace. "Mulder? Hey guys! There's a problem!" Frohike and Byers were in the room instantly. "What? What else did you find?" "No, not this. Mulder just called. He said go check on Dana. He was as close to frantic as I've ever heard the man." "Okay," Byers took immediately charge. "You two head down to the hospital, find her, keep an eye on her. I'll head over to her place and see if I can find him." Langly and Frohike nodded and all three of them headed out for their various destinations. Once at the hospital Frohike grabbed some maintenance coveralls and Langly slipped surgical greens over his clothes. They separated, both heading for the ER and kept their eyes open for her. Frohike spotted the military first and increased his pace. When he saw Colonel Baldwin he realized he was towering over Dana and his manner was less than pleasant. Frohike grabbed some gauze from an unlocked cabinet and wound it around his hand. Then he hurried over towards them, spotting Langly over to the side. "Hey Doc, Doc can you help me?" She looked over at the familiar voice and knew immediately that he was there to help her. And he'd never called her Doc, Mulder had sent him. What had happened at her apartment? "Can't you see she's busy? Find someone else." The colonel dismissed the smaller man. Scully bristled at that and turned her back to the officious toad. "Here sir, come in here and let me look at that." Frohike followed her, putting himself between her and the colonel. Langly moved in quickly, to act as her aide. "What's going on?" She whispered, her body shielding his lack of injury from view. "We don't know. He called us and said to find you and make sure you were safe." She almost smiled at that; he was still looking after her. Langly looked toward the entrance of their cubicle. "We've got to get rid of him." "And how we gonna do that?" Frohike hissed at him. "I'll see if Byers has our friend, one of them might have a plan." ***** Byers had lost no time getting over to Dana's apartment. He headed immediately for the alley behind her place and pulled in. He got out, looking around and left the door open to keep from making a sound. Mulder startled him by appearing beside him. "Have you got her?" "Frohike and Langly went to the hospital to check on her. I thought you might need some help too." "Yeah, we've got to get over there. Someone came into her apartment after she left. I went out the back. I didn't see them." "Come on, let's get you out of here. I'm sure they have her." Mulder nodded and entered the car. He didn't protest when Byers headed back toward their apartment. Somehow he hoped she would be there waiting for him. Fear nearly overwhelmed him when she wasn't. He turned to Byers to demand that they get over to the hospital when the phone rang. "Yeah?" Byers grabbed it on the first ring. "The big guy's here and he's harassing our friend. We're with her now but he's hot on us. Can you get rid of him?" Byers looked over at Mulder, "Yeah. We'll handle that from here. Don't leave her side." He broke the connection and turned to Mulder. "The colonel is there. The guys have her separated for now but they want us to get him out of there." Mulder stood silent, thinking frantically. "Do you . . . do you know his commanding officer?" "Yeah, General Foreman. What are you thinking?" "We need to get him on the phone. Which of these damn phones is the hardest to trace?" Byers tossed him a phone, then went to the bank of instruments and began making some adjustments. Finally he turned back to Mulder, "Okay, now what?" "Do you know the general's aide's name?" "Lt. Colonel Nixon." He grinned. "Not Richard." Mulder looked up at him. "You're remembering?" Mulder frowned then, "I don't think I ever forgot that." "Oh, well anyway he's Philip Nixon. What's your plan?" "To get the good colonel away from the hospital. Think you can sound like a hard ass Lt. Colonel?" Byers shook his head. "Not as well as you can." Mulder took a deep breath. "Let's get her out of there. You know the number of the ER?" At the other man's nod he gripped the phone tighter. "Let's do this." Even Byers sat up straighter at the tone of voice he used to get Colonel Baldwin to the phone. "Sir. This is Lt. Colonel Nixon. General Foreman wants you and your team in his office ASAP." "Has he found . . . " The colonel hesitated then, he was in public. "He wants you over here. The general will brief you when you arrive." Then he broke the connection. It would seem more like an order that way. "You sound like you're used to command." Byers venture "They're threatening Doc. I can sound like whatever I have to." Byers nodded. "Can you get hold of Langly? Find out if it worked?" Byers turned immediately to another phone and punched in a number. "What's happening?" Then he smiled and nodded at Mulder. "Bring her here." He broke the connection and nodded. "GI Joe's already out the door, his storm troopers on his heel. Good work." "Not without you guys. You know we're going to have to vanish." Byers nodded, "That doesn't mean you're alone. We can set you up with some pretty sophisticated stuff." He could see the hesitation in this man's eyes. "We don't want her hurt either. If a problem develops we can make changes instanteously, you wouldn't be completely alone." "That would be better for her. Let me think about it." Byers nodded and turned back to his work. This man had a lot to think about. Mulder was ready to chew fingernails by the time they appeared on the surveillance camera. Waiting out of sight was nearly his undoing, but Byers raced to unlock the door. She was in his arms in moments and he wasn't sure he was ever going to be able to let go. When he allowed her to breathe again she gave him a tremulous. "What happened?" "I don't know unless they spotted me. Right after you left the apartment someone came in. I got out the back and called the guys. God, I thought they had you." He pulled her back to him again. "They almost did. Colonel Baldwin was pushier today than usual. If Frohike and Langly hadn't shown up . . . " She shuddered slightly. "We've got to get out of town. We're not going to be able to go by your apartment. I don't know why they were there, but we're not going to chance finding out." She took a deep breath and nodded. "They'll know we're missing." "They might have discovered you were packing." "Yes, but I have four days coming up, remember? If I go by the apartment and get my stuff and call Mom to let her know where I'll be, we could still - " "That would mean you going in alone. I can't - " "Mulder, she has a point. If you could get out of town with them thinking she's coming back, it would be a big advantage." Mulder wheeled on him. "I will not put her in danger! This is an unacceptable risk." Langly actually stepped back, but Dana put her hand on his arm. "Mulder, please. They're right. If these people think I still don't suspect and am just going to visit with friends - we can give them a wrong direction, I can even check in with my parents to keep them from becoming suspicious. It's a good idea." The look of conflict on his face nearly brought her to tears. "Mulder, we can protect her. I swear, we won't let them have her. She can drive up to the front like always and go in. We'll be at the back, we can go in first, very quietly." "I'll be the one to go in." He said it quietly this time but with even more intensity. "You can't." They all turned to look at her. "You can't be anywhere near my apartment. If they are there, you're the prize they're going for. If they still can't prove I know you, they might just keep watching." "Might. Doc, I can't - " "This is the way it's going to go. My car is close by, Frohike and Langly will take me to it. I'll let them go ahead of me. They'll have my key to the back door and let themselves in. Once they've checked out the place, if it's empty, I'll come in and call Mom. I'll tell her I'm on my way to Virginia to see my friend Zoe for a couple of days. She has a couple of kids and it would make sense for me to visit her. I'll pick up my suitcase and leave. They can follow me out; make sure I'm not followed. I'll drive to the train station and park - that way Mom won't be worried about me driving alone. I'll slip out the side and they can bring me back here." They all stood there staring at her, their mouths open. "Well?" She said, "Let's get going." Byers looked over at Mulder, "And to think I thought you sounded commanding." She flashed him a smile and moved toward the door. "Come on!" As though attached by rubber bands, Langly and Frohike followed her to the door. "Wait a minute!" Mulder found his voice and was at her side in two steps. "Doc, I . . . " He looked at the other two, "If you let anything happen to her . . . " He left the threat hanging but they both nodded. "Mulder, I'll see you in less than an hour. It's going to be okay. You have to believe it." His lips silenced her and her arms went around him as he pulled her close. "Don't be late." She smiled at him then. "It would help if I could get started." Her hand caressed his cheek and she moved toward the door again as he made sure he was out of sight. Once they were gone, Byers looked over at Mulder as he returned to the room. "They'll look after her." He nodded but didn't speak. There was nothing else to say on the matter. Now he had to wait, something he knew he did badly. It was going to be a long hour. ***** She was surprised at how calm she was. Her life was going to change even more completely than she that thought. The baby was a major change, but she had thought she'd be alone. Oh, her parents would be there for her, as well as her brothers and sister but that wasn't the same thing. But this change, leaving home, basically going underground was so much more. She'd have Mulder and their child but she was giving up everything else she knew, her family, her career, her home. No, she'd be creating a new home. A home for her own family. There was no one at her apartment, but they didn't have the equipment to ensure against listening devices. The silent decision was made to assume the devices were there and act accordingly. She let them get her overnight bag down from the top shelf where Mulder had placed it last night, to try to ensure that no one would notice she was getting ready to leave. The traps he had set on it had not been touched and she smiled her assurance at Langly. They counted on the trunk, which was locked anyway, to be overlooked as a coffee table. She hurried to finish packing, taking a few personal items that she would want in the future for her child. Frohike handed her a photo album he'd been looking through and for the first time her smile was tremulous. She stopped packing with that, she couldn't take any more. Besides she was going to leave with only her little roll around, this trunk would go with the guys. Finally she turned toward the phone and took a deep breath. This had to sound convincing. The guys moved into the kitchen to give her some privacy. She waited through four rings before the machine picked up. Dana didn't know if she was more relieved or disappointed. "Mom, just wanted to let you know I'm going down to Zoe's for a few days. She thought I could use the practice with her kids. Don't worry, I'm taking the train and I'll call you when I get there. Love you." She hung up quickly and the men pretended not to see the tears that filled her eyes. She didn't allow any of them to fall, and was back to business quickly. They picked up her trunk and moved to the backdoor. She nodded and locked the door behind them. After one last look around the apartment, she let herself out the front door, wheeling her small case behind her. She pulled away and watched as the men fell in behind her. She drove directly to the train station, not trying to evade a tail. She pulled into long-term parking and headed into the station. She actually bought the ticket on her credit card, then took the maximum withdrawal with her ATM card and sat down to wait for her train. After a few minutes she rose and headed toward the ladies room. No one seemed to be paying any attention, so she turned and exited out the side entrance. The guys were right there, waiting for her. She slipped into the backseat with her bag and lay down. No need to be in anyone's sight, just in case. It was moving toward forty-five minutes and she knew Mulder had to be freaking by now even though they were within the time limit. "We better step on it guys. He doesn't seem to be the forgiving type." Frohike glanced over at Langly who nodded. They made their deadline with seven minutes to spare. It took longer than that for him to release her. He tried to hide the tremble in his hand when he brushed the hair out of her face. Their friends had given them some privacy so she let herself ask, "Are you okay?" "Since you are, yes. But I want us out of town, far away from the people searching for me through you. Unless . . . have you changed your mind about going away with me?" "Hey, tall guy, I'm here aren't I?" "Yeah." He took a deep breath. "You are. I guess I'm having a little trouble believing it." She reached up and pulled his lips down to her. "Believe it now?" He smiled, "Yeah." They looked up as the door opened. "Her stuff's in your car and we checked it out. You're all clean." "I don't know how to thank you guys." Dana put her arms around Langly, then Frohike and finally Byers. "Dana, we've made it safe to contact us. If you need anything . . . " She nodded, her throat closing. "We need to go Doc. You ready?" He turned her toward the door. She didn't need this drawn out and he wanted to get out of town before the good colonel had time to regroup. ***** They took their time driving across country. He didn't want her riding for too long at the time. He brought her up to date on what he had been doing for the long six months he had been without her. After a couple of months he had settled in Idaho, a small town called Indian Valley. He'd bought a house and the neighbors thought he was an author finishing up a book. He'd kept a low profile, but in that small a town he had met some people. They knew him as David Madison. That brought a smile to her face. He'd used her name for him. She was anxious to be there now, to be settled, in a home - their home - with him. He pulled up in front of a small house and stopped the car. He looked over at her anxiously. "Here?" She tore her gaze from the house. "This is where you live?" He nodded and took a deep breath, then exited the car and moved to open her door. He helped her out, steadying her from the long ride. He led her to the door and she stopped on the porch. "You picked this house?" She looked up and down at the porch with the swing hanging from the ceiling to the left of the front door. There was gingerbread in the corners and looked freshly painted. There was a bay window on the right looking into what was obviously a dining room. He stuck his key into the lock of the bright blue front door and turned to look at her. "It . . . it looked like you, like some place you'd like to live." She looked up and noted the color staining his cheeks. A smile began growing on her face. "Me?" "I know. I didn't think I'd ever have you here, but . . . " "I love you Fox Mulder, or David Madison, or whoever you are." "The inside isn't as . . . well maintained as the outside." That elicited a chuckle from her. After carrying her across the threshold, which elicited a chuckle from her, she wandered around the house as he began unloading the car. Yes, her hand was necessary for the inside, but that would be fun. There was a small bedroom next to the master bedroom that would make a wonderful nursery, when the time came. She headed back to the front room when she heard voices. A man about their age had the other end of her trunk and was followed by an attractive woman carrying her smaller suitcase. "Let me help." Dana reached for the bag. "No way." The brunette spoke, eyeing her middle. "You're carrying enough. Hi, I'm Pilar. We live next door." "Dana. Thanks." She led the way back into the bedroom. "We're so glad you're here finally." Dana looked up puzzled. "I can see the change in him already." She lay the suitcase on the bed. "You know, David. He's been lost without you. He looks ten, well five years, younger. There's a bounce in his step." Dana turned to look as the two men brought the trunk in. "This is my husband, Michael." He smiled and nodded, shaking her hand. Obviously Pilar was the talker in the family. "Look, we'll get out of here, but don't worry about dinner. I'll bring something over. You just take it easy. If you want I can help you unpack tomorrow. I already have orders not to let you over do." Mulder looked embarrassed, but nodded. She grinned and squeezed his hand as he headed back out the door to finish unpacking the car. Pilar headed toward the kitchen and Dana followed her. "He didn't stock up too well. There's a decent grocery about a mile from here. I can show you when you're ready." Dana found herself smiling at this friendly woman. She knew she wouldn't be lonely here, Pilar wouldn't allow it. Once they were alone again, Dana threw her arms around his neck. "This is perfect Mulder. You even found a friend for me. I'm so glad we're here, home." He nuzzled her neck, picked her up and spun her around. "The place would look better if I'd had even a dream that you would be here with me. I'm relieved I didn't leave dishes in the sink and underwear on the floor." She laughed out loud then. "It gives me something to do, while you're writing the great American novel." He couldn't keep his lips from her, tasting her, molding her body to his. "How clean are the sheets?" ***** Pilar turned out to be a wonderful guide, knowing where the best fresh vegetables and meats could be found. She was good at wallpapering too, refusing to allow Dana anywhere near the ladder. She had confided in Dana that she and Michael had been trying to have a baby for some time, but so far had been unsuccessful. Pilar also introduced her to the other women in the community. They were unanimous in their comments that having her finally join him made all the difference in David's demeanor. She could see his embarrassment at these comments, but was delighted at her welcome in the community. If she was surprised that he had mentioned her, she hid it carefully. Being with him had improved her own mood just as much. It was Pilar that pointed out the clinic to her. She explained that there wasn't a full time doctor in the town, but rather a schedule of visiting doctors twice a month. That led to a long discussion with Mulder over dinner that evening. "Doc, listen you can't take that on. Besides no one here even knows you're a doctor." "What did you just call me? Look, I don't want anyone to know I'm a doctor either. But I could tell them I'm a nurse practitioner. These people deserve better care than twice a month." "You're six and a half months pregnant, Doc. I don't want you working." "I won't be working that hard. Maybe twice a week, just as a volunteer." "Do you honestly think you can keep it to twice a week?" She flushed then, he did know her but this was something she felt she had to do. She even dragged Pilar with her as an additional volunteer. It was there she met Mae White Elk, another volunteer and licensed midwife. After getting to know her, she brought the idea up to Mulder. His immediate response to a midwife was negative to the extreme. It took quite a bit of persuading, and a couple of meetings with Mae herself before he began to calm down. The work was consuming and she quickly expanded to three days a week, weathering his 'I told you so' easily. She grew fond of her patients, mostly Native Americans from the reservation. These people needed her more than the people that populated her ER in Washington, and were more willing to listen to her, more grateful to have her expertise. It was incredibly fulfilling. Pilar made a good assistant too. That's why she was so surprised when Pilar didn't show up to ride to work with her. She mentioned it to Mulder and he offered to run next door to check. "I can do that Mulder. I'll see you later." "Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?" "I'd love the company, but I don't need a sitter." He tried to look innocent but she had to laugh. Shaking her head she kissed his forehead and headed toward the back door. He forced himself to stay in his seat. She was right, he was being overprotective but she was so precious and so very pregnant. How she was going to go another four weeks was beyond him. Dana let herself into Pilar's kitchen. "Pilar? You home?" She moved on into the living room. "Pilar?" She finally found the woman sitting on her bed, staring into space, the trace of tears still plainly visible on her face. Dana sat beside her, "Pilar? What's wrong? Is Michael - " "He's fine. I got a call." Dana waited for a long moment. "Who from?" "My Aunt Connie. She wanted me to know." "To know what? Pilar, what's wrong?" "My mother, she has cancer." "Oh Pilar, I'm so sorry." She placed her hand on Pilar's arm. "Where is it?" "Breast." "When did you see her last?" "Four years ago." "Four? Pilar, doesn't she live a couple of hours east of here. I'm sure that's what Michael - " "We don't speak." She reached for a tissue by the bed. "Why?" Pilar took a deep breath. "She didn't want me to marry Michael. He's not Hispanic, he's not Catholic, she thinks it's his fault we have no children." "Pilar, I'm sorry." Pilar straightened up and turned toward Dana. "You never mention your mother. Is she alive?" The question caught Dana off guard, but she nodded. "Are you estranged?" This time she shook her head. "What would you do?" "You have to go to her. Breast cancer is curable, there's a high rate of cure if it's caught early enough. I don't know what treatment her doctor is recommending, but whatever it is she's going to need your support." "If your mother didn't like David, would you go? I mean if she were sick or something?" "Yes. I wouldn't hesitate. Pilar you have to go. We can look after Michael for you for a few days. You're not going to be that far away. You have to do this for yourself." "You're awfully passionate about this." Dana felt tears form in her own eyes. "I haven't seen my mother in months. I'm having my first baby. I'd give a lot to see her." "Is she ill?" "No. I mean, I don't think so. I don't know." Pilar looked puzzled at that. "We were talking about you. Come on, let me help you pack." "Just like that?" Dana nodded. "But I want to be here when the baby comes." "You've got plenty of time before that. Go do this. Go for both of us. Get Michael on the phone and tell him what's happening." Pilar helped her to her feet and hugged her. "You . . . you won't have the baby without me?" Dana managed to smile, "I'll do my best. Listen, call me with the diagnosis and treatment. I want to know." She turned toward the closet and looked for the suitcase. "Sit. Watch me pack, just keep me company." When she was on her way, Dana made her way home. The sound of the back door opening caught Mulder off guard and he moved in that direction. "Doc? Doc! What's wrong? Are you okay?" That brought a flood of tears that frightened words from him. He moved her into the living room and seated her on the couch. "Doc, talk to me. Are you having the baby?" She shook her head, "I'm sorry. It's hormones." "What happened? Did something at the clinic . . . " She shook her head, and took as deep a breath as she could manage. "Pilar's mother is ill." That was a direction he hadn't anticipated. "Is it, is it serious?" He had been thrown and wasn't sure what to say. She nodded and closed her eyes, resting her head on the back of the couch. They sat silently, with him massaging her hand. All too shortly for him, she started to rise. "Hold it. What do you need, I'll get it." "I need to get on over to the clinic. I'm late." "I don't want you to go. Not today Doc. You're in a highly emotional state and you're very pregnant. Please, just stay here with me." "They're expecting me." "I'll call them." He wasn't exacting holding her in place, but she could tell he was prepared to. "I am okay. Really." "Look me in the eye and tell me your back isn't bothering you." She blushed at that, and he nodded. "Come here." He moved her so that she was reclining against his chest, his legs open to accommodate her between them. He smiled slightly at the moan she let escape when he pressed his thumbs into her lower back. He watched her hands trace circles on her swollen belly as he relieved the stress in her back, but his own smile had faded. She needed her mother. That's what this was about. Yes, Pilar's mother had triggered it and he'd have to find out what that was all about, but she needed her family. He had no family; he'd read that in the file. Both of his parents were gone and his sister . . . But it didn't matter, he couldn't remember them. Here she was, with a loving family that was no doubt frantic about her and she couldn't see them. Because of him. He was missing nothing, oh a few memories, but he had her here in his arms, their child moving energetically beneath her hands. She had only him. She relaxed back against him, pulling her arms around him. "I love you Doc." "I've never doubted that. You're way too good to me." She tried to stifle a yawn. "Come on, you're going to take a nap." "Mulder, that's all I do anymore." "You're sleeping for two. Come on, I'll call the clinic. Don't argue with me. I'm pretty sure I can take you right now." She stretched up to kiss him and he met her halfway. After settling her in the bed and covering her with the sheet he kissed her once again and retreated to the living room. He immediately took hold of the cell phone and placed a quick call. "Yeah?" "It's me. Is this a good line?" "Yes." He could hear Langly straighten up in the seat. "Is everything okay?" "Yeah, she's fine. Listen, I was wondering if you've heard anything about her family. How they're doing." "Uh, we haven't. Yeah, I'll get right on it. When's a good time to call?" ***** It was Byers that returned the call. She was still asleep and he was more than glad he had talked her out of going to the clinic today. The emotions that had coursed through her had taken more energy than she had realized. "How did you know?" "Know what?" The adrenaline was already dumping into his blood stream. "That the good colonel was harassing them." Mulder let his eyes close. Shit, he hadn't even been thinking in those terms. "Talk to me." "Okay, they filed a missing persons report after she missed the first day of work. They know she never went to Virginia and they have her car. The police were working the angle that someone took her from the train, but they know her tickets weren't used. There's nothing on the surveillance cameras. She did a good job of skirting them in the depot." Mulder smiled grimly. "The military weren't involved in the beginning, but the colonel has been out there at least twice recently. Her mother is becoming increasingly frantic as time . . . well, you know." "Yeah, I know." The baby, her mother wanted her found before the baby was due. He could understand that. Damn, what if she were carrying a daughter and this ever - "You there?" "Yeah, what?" "There's no pretense with three pictures anymore. They're only looking for you. Her father is cooperating, he is retired military." "Okay. We need to get off. Their health, the parents are they okay physically?" "Uh, I think so. Is that why you called?" "Yeah." "We'll check it out." ***** She didn't seem to notice his mood when she joined him. Or maybe she saw it only as a reflection of her own. "Are you feeling any better?" She leaned against him, "Yes, thanks. It hit me suddenly, that I don't know how my family is. If they're worried about me, or . . . " "They are worried about you. They've been to the police." She nodded, not really surprised. "And, and the colonel's been out to see them at least twice." She sat upright abruptly. "They suspect I'm with you?" "They have no other leads Doc. You're the only one that's seen me since I was released, or escaped or whatever. They know that because of the blood sample. Another reason to wish I had never involved you." She brought his hand to her stomach. "Stop it Mulder. I am involved, I'm here and there is nowhere on earth I'd rather be. Yes, I'd like to have my mother here. It won't be long now before I'm a mother myself. But I have you. I have to believe that this baby will meet his grandparents someday. Until then stop worrying about it. If you go hormonal too, we're sunk." She smiled at him. "And tell the guys thanks for checking on them, okay? It does make me feel better." She pecked him on the cheek and rose from her seat beside him to move toward the kitchen. Waddle was more like it though he'd never say that out loud. Maybe he ought to talk to Mae, surely she couldn't stay pregnant much longer. ***** The sound of breaking glass had him on his feet and racing to the kitchen. She was clutching the counter, surrounded by broken glass. "Doc!" "I'm . . . I'm okay." "Right. Don't move, you're barefoot." He lifted her into his arms and carried her into the living room. There he placed her gently on the sofa and knelt beside her. "Are you okay?" "I, uh, I was dizzy." "How about now?" His concern was plain on his face. "I'm feeling better." He accepted her evasion for the moment, though he was watching her closely. "Maybe I should call Mae." She managed a small smile at that. "That's not necessary Mulder. Really, I'm feeling more myself. Thank you for worrying so." "You think I could do any less?" He couldn't quite smile. "I'm fine Mulder, I need to clean up that mess." "I'll clean up the mess. You lay here for a while and keep your feet up. I'm not kidding Doc." She saw then how shaken he really was. "Mulder it was a dizzy spell. That's all." She caressed his cheek with her hand. "I'll lie down for a little while." He nodded, trying to lighten up. He kissed her forehead and stood. She watched him head for the kitchen and realized her eyes had misted over. No one had ever loved her this much; it was almost frightening. He finished cleaning up the glass and completed emptying the dishwasher. She wasn't due for three weeks; Mae had been very reassuring when he spoke to her. He did need to relax but his hands had been shaking slightly when he started with the clean up. He glanced into the living room and saw that she had fallen asleep on the sofa. He nodded and put some water on for tea. These little naps she now took never lasted that long. He had the tea steeping when he heard her. "Mulder! Oh god, Mulder!" He was at her side instantly. She was clutching her abdomen, her knees pulled up. "Breathe Doc. Come on, breathe." Finally the contraction began losing its grip on her. She loosened her grip on his hand and took a deep cleansing breath. "Damn." She gasped. He managed to keep his voice steady. "Tell me what you need Doc. I'm still okay with going to the hospital." "Mae will be fine. I was asleep when that one hit. I won't make that mistake again." She gave him a small smile. "I'll be okay." Altogether too quickly for him she was in the midst of another brutal contraction. Being awake didn't seem to help that much as far as he was concerned. When she got her breath back from that one, her hold on his hand didn't loosen nearly as much. "Mulder, I think you ought to call Mae after all. This is a little more intense than . . . just give her a call." The thoughts of leaving her side caused him to hesitate, but he needed to get the woman here. If Doc wanted her here, that's all that mattered. He hurried to the kitchen to get the mobile phone, but she was caught in another painful contraction when he returned with the handset. He helped her breathe through it as they massaged her stomach. It was rock hard and the breathing wasn't doing a damn bit of good that he could see. As the contraction began to ease he dialed Mae's number and got her machine. He left a quick message, then dialed her beeper and left his number. "Mulder, could you help me up?" "What do you need, I'll get it." "I need to go to the bathroom. Please, before another one hits." He wanted to carry her, but she nixed that though she accepted him supporting most of her weight. While she was in the bathroom, he placed another quick call to Mae and got her machine again. His message this time was much more urgent without her to hear. She was clutching the wall when she tried to rejoin him, and he had her in his arms again. "You better try Mae again." "I just did." "Mulder, my water broke. I think . . . I think you should get the emergency kit that she left us." "Doc?" He couldn't have heard her correctly. "This baby's in a hurry Mulder. I need your help." He nodded, not sure what words would be useful. He got her to the bed and pulled the covers down, then helped her recline. "I'll be right back. Doc, just stay calm." She nodded, closing her eyes. He was back immediately and found her on her side, moaning, the sheet fisted in her hand. "Doc, I'm here. It'll be over soon. Try to relax." He continued to talk soothingly to her even though he was screaming inside for Mae, for anyone, to get here. Why wasn't Pilar back yet? Yes he'd read the information about emergency childbirth. He'd been afraid not to, but to actually have to use it. No, he pushed that aside. She needed him and he was here. "Mulder." She gasped out when she was able. "My body's pushing. I can't hold back. I can't - " "Then you need to push, Doc. It's okay; I'm here. We're going to have a beautiful baby. We can do this." Her eyes lost some of their panic at his words. She nodded and he lifted her into a more supported position for pushing. She was calmer now. He could feel it and it helped him to relax as well. He was going to deliver a baby; he was going to deliver their baby. Despite his sketchy memories he was positive that this was outside of his experience. "Mu . . . Ohhhhh." "It's okay Doc. Push, if you need to push, go ahead." She closed her eyes then to concentrate on her body. She bore down, groaning with the pressure, the burning. "That's great Doc. Just a couple more. You can do it." She took a deep breath and bore down again. He watched mesmerized as the head began emerging from her body. The manual had said not to do anything but support it, so he placed his fingers under the head and let the body slide into his hands with the next push. "It's a boy! Doc, we've got a boy." She was up on her elbows, still gasping, but smiling now. He placed the infant on her stomach. "Get the clamps." He already had them in his hands and placed them where she indicated, then when the cord quit pulsating, cut it. She drew the screaming child up closer to her face. "He's so tiny." She was crying and finally looked up at Mulder. She smiled at the tears running down his own cheeks. "I can't believe you did that." "Neither can I. I need to push again, Mulder. The placenta." He nodded and helped her deliver the afterbirth. He covered it with one of the sterile drapes that Mae had left them and put it aside for her to check. She placed the infant to her breasts and he sat to watch her feed his son. There was nothing to compare to this sight. When he finished nursing she reluctantly handed the baby back to him and he wrapped him in the blanket he had been warming. He took a wet cloth and wiped a little more blood from his face and lowered him into his bassinet. He'd let Mae finish up this process. He still had his hand on the child when she screamed. He spun, what the hell! She was curled around her belly and when she got her breath, screamed again. "Doc! Doc what?" He realized even as he spoke that she was pushing again. Another baby? They'd never had an ultrasound, had she been carrying twins? "Doc, focus. Listen to my voice; I need you to push again. Doc, please!" The thing that emerged into his hands caused his heart to falter. It wasn't alive. Had it ever been? He glanced up at her, but she had lost consciousness. His trembling hand felt for her pulse and he was able to breath again when he found it. He turned his attention back to the abomination in his hands. He had done this to her. Her relationship with him had caused this for her. He was grateful she had passed out and couldn't see. He wrapped the tiny gray being in another of the sterile drapes and hid it. No one could see this. ***** She woke slowly, groggy and weak. She felt his hand on her face and turned toward him. Her eyes widened then, "The baby?" "He's great. Mae's checking him out now. How do you feel?" "Like I just had a baby." But she smiled when she said it. Her smile faded at the look in his eyes. "He is okay, isn't he?" Before he could respond, the door opened and Mae entered carrying the child. "He sure is. A little small and a little early but healthy. Five pounds two ounces, eighteen inches long." She placed the boy into his mother's outstretched arms. "He's hungry again." Dana nodded and bared her breast. Mae watched for a moment nodding. "You look like you know what you're doing. Let me check to see how your uterus is contracting. You want to leave us for just a minute Dad?" He looked over at her and she nodded that she would be okay. She noted that he walked with a heavy stride, something was wrong but he didn't want to talk in front of Mae. Mae's exam didn't take long. When Dana finished nursing she took the baby again. "Have you named him yet?" "Not really. We thought we had a little more time." "I wish I had made it. I know it was traumatic, giving birth as quickly as you did. I'm glad your husband was here." Dana closed her eyes and shuddered lightly, then nodded. "Why don't you lie back down? You're going to be feeding one this tiny every couple of hours and you need to store up all the rest you can." "Thanks Mae." Before Mae had a chance to answer, her beeper went off. She shook her head, "Full moons. Who needs them?" She checked the number, "May I use your phone?" Dana smiled and nodded, her eyes closing again. Mae slipped out of the room and found Mulder, fixing her some lunch. She handed the baby to his Dad, then made her call. "I've got them dropping like flies. I need to get over to the reservation." "Mae, is she okay?" She stopped then and saw the anguish in his eyes. She placed her hand on his arm. "Yes. I know what you went through was frightening, but she is doing very well. You did an excellent job." He looked away then and her hand squeezed his shoulder. "I've got to get out of here. If this doesn't take too long, I'll stop back by this evening. If not I'll check in tomorrow morning, just to reassure you. Make sure she eats and goes heavy on the fluids. She is okay." He nodded and had her let herself out, cradling the baby in his arms. The baby was asleep, so he laid him carefully in the carrier he had pulled out of the box while Mae examined her. That way he wouldn't have to disturb her while she slept. He looked over at the door to their bedroom and suddenly what had happened, what she had endured because of him, hit him between the eyes and his knees buckled. He found himself on hands and knees on the floor. He buried his face in a cushion from the sofa to muffle his cries. ***** She woke to find her breasts leaking slightly and smiled. The baby was probably hungry, though she didn't hear him yet. She sat up and then stood beside the bed, testing her abilities. If she took it slow she was okay. He looked up startled when the bedroom door opened and was at her side instantly. "Why didn't you call me?" "I need to be up, Mulder. I have a baby to look after." "How about I look after the two of you for a while?" He motioned to the lunch he had waiting for her on the tray. "You always do." He looked away then. "Mulder? What is it? What's wrong?" "Nothing. Mae says both of you are doing very well." He brought the tray over to the couch so she could eat while she nursed. "That's not what I mean. What's wrong with you?" He helped her to the sofa and seated her carefully. She couldn't make him meet her eyes. "Is it . . . Mulder did watching me give birth . . . are you - " His head whipped around then and he faced her. "Doc, that was the most incredible thing I have ever witnessed. And the most beautiful. Don't ever doubt that." A small smile played at his lips as they heard their son stir and gear up to a full-fledged wail. "I think that's for you. I'll get him." He stood then and brought the baby to her. She watched both of them as she nibbled at her lunch and nursed again. Mulder was obviously fascinated by her breasts, which was reassuring, but he couldn't tear himself away from the baby either. When he was full, Mulder took him back and changed him, much to Dana's unspoken amusement, and returned him to the carrier. He returned to her side then and sat beside her. "Talk to me Mulder. Please." She thought he was going to evade her again, but he took a deep breath and finally looked her in the eye. "Something did happen, after his birth. You . . . do you remember crying out in pain after he was born? I had him over at the crib." Her brow furrowed, "No. Afterwards?" He nodded. "Let me put you back to bed." "Do you think I need to be lying down for this news?" "Yes. I do." That took her aback and fear caused ice to form around her heart. Without bothering to ask, he took her into his arms and carried her back to the bedroom, leaving the door open to hear the baby. Her arms had automatically closed around his neck and she almost didn't release him when he lay her down. He sat beside her and cradled her against him, holding her so that she couldn't see his face. Her fear grew. "Doc, after he was born there was another . . . you screamed, screamed in pain and I raced back to you. You were pushing again. I was - " She pulled away then to look at him. "Twins? There was another baby?" "No. Doc, not another baby. It was, I don't . . . it wasn't a baby." Her breathing was shallow and he could feel her temperature drop. "Where is it?" "Doc, Doc you shouldn't - " "I have to see what you're talking about. Mulder please, I have to. If I carried it, in my body, then I - " She stopped when he flinched. He wanted to look away, he wanted to protect her from this, hell he didn't know what he wanted . . . He carefully propped her up with pillows and moved into the bathroom. She watched him walk away from her; there was no life in his step. He could have been walking toward his own execution. She realized that she was shaking, but couldn't control it. He returned carrying one of the sterile cloths that Mae had left them. There was blood streaked on it and he held it as though it were a bomb. He stopped a few steps from the bed. "Doc, I - " "Please Mulder." She held out her hands and though he could see her shaking, made no comment. She brought the bundle to her lap and after a last look up into his face carefully folded back the fabric to expose whatever had shaken him so badly. She gasped and one hand went to her mouth. "Oh my god." She stared down in horror at the being in her lap. The gray skin was mottled and the bulging forehead crowned two large black eyes that seemed to have no eyelids. There was no discernable nose and the mouth was only a slit. There were no genitals and it couldn't have weighed more than two pounds. He threw the cloth back over it and moved it to the bed as he pushed her head down to keep her from fainting. "Doc, stay with me. I've got you." Her hand had a painful grip on his. "God, Mulder. What is it? What was growing inside of me?" Her trembling had increased. His despair grew. He didn't respond, just holding her tighter. There were no words, nothing he could say or do to make this any better. When she finally regained some composure she tried to unlock her muscles, sinking into his arms. He brushed the hair from her brow. "I'm . . . I'm okay." A bald-faced lie, but he let it go, merely kissing her forehead. "How are you?" She pulled back to see his face. He shook his head and pulled her head back down to his chest. She kept quiet, now holding him as well. Whatever else, she had him; she needed him and their son. After a few minutes she spoke, not moving away from him. Despite the fact that thing was lying at the foot of the bed, she needed to pull him back to her. If anything he was more shaken than she was. "I know we thought we had more time, but we've got to decide on a name." That startled a chuckle out of him. What a normal topic. The very normalness of it was bizarre. To her relief he played along. "I can't go with Fox." She managed to smile up at him then. "I know." "I'm okay with William, after your father." "And you." He nodded. "David . . ." He looked down, a little surprised. She normally called him Mulder. "As a middle name. William David - named after his father." "Is that a good thing?" "The name?" "The fact that I'm his father?" "That is the best thing about our little boy, that he's yours." He tucked her under his chin, unable to face her. "William David." He took a deep breath. How could they be talking like this with that . . . that thing lying so near them. "Yeah, that sounds good." He could feel her breath against his throat. "We have to talk about the other." He immediately tensed. "We need to get sa - samples. Blood, tissue. It needs to be studied." "No. I'd never ask you - I'd never allow you - " "No, not me. You're right, I can't. We need to send . . . everything, to the guys." "We'll talk about this later Doc." "It needs to done as soon as possible, shipped as biohazardous ma - material." "You need to rest. He's gonna want to nurse again in about an hour. Close your eyes for a little while." "I don't know if I can." "Try Doc. I don't want you getting sick." He smoothed down her hair again and rose from the bed, taking the bundle with him. She reached for his free hand and squeezed it. "I'll be in the other room." "Mulder, wait. Was it . . . was it alive?" "No! Doc, you don't think I - " "Oh Mulder, no, that never occurred to me. You wouldn't have . . . I know you. Please don't ever think that again. I just . . . I don't know how to feel." He stood there, waiting, not wanting to bring the thing any closer to her. "Did something I was a mother to die? Was there anything . . . " "Doc, don't. This wasn't meant to live. I don't know how this happened, what caused it, but it was nothing you did." He was silent for a moment, "I did this to you. I'm sorry." "Mulder, don't. Don't you dare take the blame for this!" "I had unprotected sex with you. I had the blood chemistry from hell. I'm the one the military is searching for." He glanced down at the cloth in his hands and shook his head. "I can't . . . I need a little time Doc. Please try to rest." He didn't face her, letting himself out of their room. He didn't see the tears flowing down her face. ***** The baby's cries woke her, and Mae tapped on the door with him in her arms. "Dana? You awake?" "Yeah." She pulled herself into a seated position. "Where's Mu - David?" Mae settled the baby in Dana's arms. "Oh, when I got here he said he needed to run an errand. I shouldn't have anyone else delivering anytime soon. My other Moms aren't even as far along as you were. I told him to go ahead, I could stay here for a little while. Let me get you some water." When she returned she sat on the bed and watched the baby suckle. "How are you feeling Dana?" "Tired, a little sore, but good." "What about David?" "Why do you ask?" She sat up straighter at the question and the baby protested. "I don't know, he looked a little traumatized. I'm sure it wasn't easy for him earlier, but I was hoping he would have calmed down by now. I think you're both doing very well." Dana relaxed a little. "It was difficult for him. He was afraid of . . . of doing something wrong. He's probably still having 'what ifs'." Mae nodded, "That's probably it. He . . . he wouldn't be out having a drink?" "No. He did have an errand. Today kind of got away from us. What time is it anyway? I've been busy." Mae chucked. "True. It's a little after 5 in the evening. A busy day for you." They both looked up as they heard the front door open and Dana breathed a sigh of relief that he was home. The thought of what he had been doing, alone, was painful. To be honest, it was frightening. He joined them in the bedroom, but stood silently watching this woman with their child. After a long moment Mae moved back to the bed. "Do you want me to take him?" "I'll take him." Mulder moved forward and took the baby. Mae watched him but made no comment. "We named him." Mae turned back to Dana, smiling. "Wonderful! What did you decide on?" "William David. After his father, and mine." "I like it. Why don't I go fill out the birth certificate?" "Yeah, that's a good idea." Mulder answered her. Mae nodded and slipped out of the room. She'd obviously never been as close to him as she was to her patient, but right now she was actually uncomfortable around the man. He'd always been quiet, withdrawn. When Dana had joined him here he had loosened up, seemed happy - no, elated that she was with him. Now, Mae realized, she was scared for the man. Had he seen Dana's mortality? Was that it? Mae shook her head and pulled out the form. She'd be by to check on them. Dana and the baby were doing well; she was being totally honest with them on that point. But something was making her uneasy. It wouldn't hurt to drop by. Mae left as soon as they had signed the form. When she had returned to the room they had been sitting in the bed. He was holding both of them. Stroking her hair. But both of them had seemed far away even as they touched each other. She had been wrong. Yes, they were far away, but not from each other. In fact they were surprised to realize there were other people in the universe when Mae had reentered the room. Mulder let Mae out and dished up the dinner he had brought home, then rejoined her. "I can come to the table." "I know." He handed her the bowl of rice and vegetables that was her favorite. She smiled up at him and patted the bed beside her. They ate in silence, bodies in contact, as they had been when Mae observed them. When he took the dish from her and rose, she put out her hand to stop him. "We need to talk." He nodded, but kept moving. When he returned he tossed off his clothes and climbed into the bed with her. His need to feel her against him suddenly critical. "Mulder?" "I sent . . . everything to the guys. I gave them some instructions but they probably know enough people to come up with things I didn't think about." "Are you okay?" He gave an unamused laugh at the question, and didn't bother to answer directly. "Get some rest. The crown prince will no doubt be wanting your attention soon." "I love you Mulder." His response was to pull her closer and kiss the top of her head. It was enough, she knew how he felt. She curled into him and closed her eyes. Whatever else, she was in his arms. It was late the next morning when his cell phone rang. They were both in the kitchen, Will dozing in his seat on the counter. They froze and looked at each other, then he was moving, snatching up the phone. "Yes." He held the phone so that they both could hear. "Is she . . .?" It was Byers' voice and Dana heard the panic clearly. "I'm fine." "Praise God." That was Frohike's voice and Dana smiled at the heart-felt sentiment. "You have the package." "Yes and the instructions. We just had to . . . " "I understand. It was the second; the first is . . . " He looked down at her, searching for a word. "Perfect and healthy." She spoke into the phone but was watching him. He nodded and held her to him. "Okay, we'll get to work." Byers spoke again. He understood why no more could be said. "You look after her." Frohike's voice was clear and forceful. "I will." Then Mulder broke the connection. Dana was watching him. She wanted to offer him the comfort he was giving her, but he was building a wall around himself, being strong for her. She couldn't let it go on much longer. ***** They settled into a pattern, being a family. He was quiet, like when they had first met, but his arms were always available to hold her or the baby, and give her at least the illusion of safety. Will had drifted off to sleep while she held him and she rose to put him in his crib. Mulder looked up and watched her walk into their bedroom. He waited, expecting her to return immediately. The time stretched and a frown appeared on his face. He rose and headed toward the bedroom himself. She was standing over the crib, watching Will sleep he thought at first. When he stood beside her he realized she was gripping the side of the crib, trying to keep from shaking. "Doc?" He whispered it so as not to disturb the baby, but he turned her taking her into his arms. "What's wrong?" "Why haven't we heard anything? Why . . .?" He tightened his hold on her and led her from the room. "Mulder, why haven't they called?" "I don't know, but it's something I can change right now." He reached for his cell phone with his free hand. "No, it could be too dangerous." He shook his head. "I should have done this sooner. Doc, don't keep things from me. I need to know how you feel. I thought I was protecting you." She shook her head and leaned against him. He kissed the top of her head and for an instant let guilt over what he had done to this woman engulf him again. Then he took a deep breath and dialed the special number they had given him. "Yeah?" It was Langly's voice. "We need that information." Mulder could almost feel the man tense up. "Give us 30, we need to add some protection." The phone went dead in his hand. He lowered the phone and at her puzzled look spoke softly, not releasing her. "They want to make sure the calls aren't traceable. They'll call back soon." She just closed her eyes and his guilt rose another notch. He wasn't really surprised when the phone rang only ten minutes later. "Hello?" "We can talk now." Byers had placed the call. "But we don't have as much information for you as we had hoped." "What's wrong?" Dana spoke before Mulder could. "The uh, the information we have is . . . this is hotter than anything we've ever handled. The people we would normally go to for help just . . . we don't trust anyone with this kind of information. If it should be traced back to you . . . we can't take that risk." Dana and Mulder looked at each other. "Thank you." She spoke softly and he pulled her against him again. "Well, we're in your hands guys. Any suggestions?" Mulder finally asked. "We're learning as we go, our education wasn't really geared in this direction." "Do you need someone with my educational back-ground?" Dana asked quickly. "No. That is out of the question. No!" Mulder look down at her, his face a mask to hide his emotions. "We have to know. If I can help in that . . . Mu - It's only data, I can handle looking at data." Their friends were silent. They understood how he felt about this, but they did need help. They were way over their heads in the genetic codes and DNA. Asking her was not something they were comfortable with, but the decision not to go outside of their small group had been unanimous. "I think it's a bad idea." She nodded, accepting his statement, then spoke into the phone, "Send the information as soon as possible." She stood and walked into the bedroom, shutting the door behind her. There was a long silence but Byers was not going to disturb it. Finally Mulder took a deep breath, "Do as she says. And thank you for protecting us." The connection was broken and Byers closed his eyes as he collapsed back into his chair. Langly and Frohike exchanged looks but no one spoke. He actually tapped on the bedroom door, not sure if he would be welcome. She opened the door surprised. "Are you through?" "Is that why you left? To let me talk to them?" "Of course. I know how much you want to protect me. Did you . . . did you think I was walking away? That I was angry? Oh Mulder, not at you, never at you." He lowered his forehead to hers and let his fingers outline her cheeks and lips. "I don't deserve you." She led him back to the living room, pulling the bedroom door nearly closed behind them and sat him on the couch. Then she crawled into his lap and held him. "I need you to snap out of this Mulder. This is not your fault." "Not my fault? I explode into your life from nowhere, literally. I get you pregnant, I abandon you, when I return I drag you away from everything, everyone you know, you can't even go to a hospital to give birth - I end up . . . you should have had better care, and then . . . " "Yes, you explode into my life, saving me from a mugger. You make love to me, at my instigation, then you leave town temporarily to make sure that I'm safe and the military doesn't discover that I know you. When you return you ask me to come with you and share your new life and I accept - knowing that I want to be with you more than anyone else in the world. When our baby starts to come prematurely and the midwife can't get here in time you deliver our baby and probably save both of our lives. Then while I'm passed out, you have to handle an even more horrendous task - alone." "You paint too pretty a picture of me." "I see you as you really are. What bothers me the most is that I don't make you happy. You've given me everything - your love, our son, my life. But I seem to only bring you guilt and unhappiness." "No! That's not true. I bring the guilt on myself. You only bring me happiness. I just wish I deserved it." "Mulder - " "I know nothing about my life before you - except that I don't deserve you." "Why? Why do you feel like that?" "I've read my file. Doc, I was a joke. They called me Spooky Mulder. They sent me out ghostbusting, checking out . . . weird things - not real cases. I couldn't keep a partner, no friends that I can remember - at least none that missed me enough to check when I disappeared. No family - " "You have one now." He did smile then. "Yes, I have one now." "Dwell on that Mulder. Let me make you happy. Let me love you." "Doc, what scares me is that you might some day stop." "Well you can quit being scared about that right now. You're stuck with me, with us. We have a child together Mulder. No matter what, we're joined." He buried his face in her hair, just holding her. ***** The information arrived late the next day at a prearranged drop off. He hated even bringing it into the house. She was waiting and she didn't want him protecting her this way. She was a strong woman, stronger than him. She'd proven it over and over. He squared his shoulders and let himself in. She was cooing to the baby, playing with him on the couch. "Look, Daddy's home." She held the boy up. The baby gurgled at him and Mulder took him into his arms after he dropped the package on the table. "Hi Boy. Miss me?" "We both did. I'm spoiled being home with you." She rose, leaving her boys together as she picked up the package. She watched them as she opened it. He was fascinated by this life they are created. Of course both of her men were fascinated with her breasts, but nothing was wrong with that. Just looking at the child did make him happy, that was plain to see. She felt her own smile grow. Finally, she forced her attention to the papers in her hand. She found herself quickly fascinated by the information she was reading. Keeping herself in doctor mode allowed her to review the data with detachment. Mulder looked up as she booted up the computer. It looked as though she had completely forgotten they were in the room. That became the pattern then. When she was working on the computer he bonded with his son and did the laundry and housework. These things weren't completely unfamiliar to him, but he'd never worked to her standards before. Occasionally he would stop and watch her, her glasses on her head to be slipped down over her eyes at a moment's notice, flipping between printouts and the computer monitor. She hadn't shared a lot of information and he found he didn't really want to know. He was happy, truly happy, and pushed aside any thoughts of that ending. She loved him, it was insane on her part, but it was a fact. He was putting Will down when he heard her. He hurried back into the living room. "You okay?" "Yes!" Her smile was beaming. "The guys just emailed me the results of the paternity test." "Pa . . . paternity?" He was stunned and it showed. "Don't worry." She was kissing his face. "There was never any doubt about Will. You were always the only possibility there." She felt him relax slightly. "But I had Byers check the DNA for all three of us. It took awhile because of the privacy issue. Mulder, the other . . . none of your DNA was there. None of mine either. Mulder, you and I did not create . . . that. I don't know how . . . Mulder, you and I had a healthy baby and we can have more." "More? You'd have more children with me?" "Of course I would. Did you think -?" "It . . . it never occurred to me that you would go through that again. I . . . I -" "Mulder, make love with me." "Wha . . . Doc, I want you. You know that, but no. Not tonight. Your body's not ready - " "Not ready for one of your marathons maybe." She smiled up at him as the color rose in his face, "but I know how gentle you can be. We can take it slow, but I need you. Will's asleep." "You're serious." She smiled as she realized her suggestion had caused a reaction, regardless of his words. "Very serious." She led him into the bedroom. She was up before him the next morning and greeted him with a beautiful smile when he emerged from the bedroom wearing only his boxers. He met it with one of his own. There was nothing this woman couldn't do. He got his robe while she served up breakfast and actually got to eat most of it before Will made his presence known. While she was nursing she glanced over and caught him massaging his forehead. "Mulder? You okay?" He nodded his head, "Just a little headache." "Isn't that my line, and wasn't I supposed to use it last night?" He gave her that fake smile and chuckle and she dropped it, but noticed he took a couple of aspirin. She couldn't remember him ever taking anything before. He was extraordinarily healthy. Relax Dana, she told herself. It's just a little headache. She finished nursing Will, then gave him his bath. She had the baby dressed when she spotted Mulder rubbing his head again. "Mulder, I'm going to put Will down. Why don't you take a nap too?" "You're the one that needs her rest." "Just for a couple of hours, okay? I've got some things I can check on the computer." "You wouldn't mind?" That scared her though she hid it. He was hurting more than she realized. "No, I wouldn't mind." She kissed him as she headed to the bedroom. She wanted to help him to his feet, but he would never allow that. When she got the baby down she moved over to the bed and kissed him, pulling the covers back over him. She tossed his robe to the foot of the bed and slipped out of the room, pulling the door almost closed. She'd been working about twenty minutes when she heard the door open. She looked over at the sound and was immediately on her feet. He was clutching his head, unsteady on his feet. "Mulder, let me help you." She had her arm around him, but he staggered and went down. She couldn't hold him and found herself with him on the floor, him on hands and knees. He sank on down, curling into a fetal position. "Mulder!" She had his head in her lap, checking his pulse. "Doc." It was a groan. "Don't try to talk." "I remember." "What? What do you remember?" "You." And he lost his grip on consciousness. ***** When he came to he was still on the floor, now covered by a blanket. His head was no longer cradled in her lap, but resting on a pillow. There was a blood pressure cuff on his arm. "Mulder, can you hear me?" His eyes focused on her. "How many fingers am I holding up?" "Three." He started to rise. "Don't. Mulder just lie still." "I'm better Doc." Her eyes showed how little she believed that. He smiled at her but it faded, just gazing into her, seeing deep inside of her. "Mulder?" Her voice shook slightly. He nodded and allowed her to help him to his feet. She led him to the bedroom and had him recline on the bed, then pulled the covers over him. He realized he was still only in his boxers. He closed his eyes, trying to organize his thoughts. When he opened them again he saw her fear plainly etched on her face. He took her hand and drew her close to him. She came willingly needing to feel his arms around her. "I remember you." He whispered into her hair. "How?" "It's all back. The block they put on me - it's gone." "You remember everything?" She pulled back slightly to see his face. He nodded and pulled her back against him. "It had to be when you were missing. Skyland Mountain." She shuddered slightly and burrowed into his chest. He tightened his hold of her. "There's no record, I must not have been missing that long, but I was there. There were . . . beings. Like the other, adults. I don't know what they were doing to me." He shook his head. "It doesn't matter. They were moving me; allowing me to walk, exercise. I don't know. Two of them were with me, not speaking. They never spoke aloud. We were passing a cubicle and I heard a woman scream. I heard you scream. I didn't hesitate, I just moved toward you. It caught my escorts off guard, but I was already beside you. "One of them grabbed me. They're strong Doc. I knew I didn't have a chance. But then one of two with you stopped him. They let go of me and all four of them left the room. "You were hysterical. I don't think you even realized I was human at first. You were in too much pain. They had, they had hurt you. It took hours for you to calm down enough to let me touch you. I was . . . I was wearing a little less than I am now. You . . . you were nude. There was nothing to cover you with, but I'm not sure you were even aware in the beginning." Her breathing was shallow and her fingers were pressing into his skin. "Doc, they never came back. They let me stay with you. We were together in that room for what had to be days. Food appeared, but we were left alone. When you could talk . . . Doc you were so strong. You began to trust me, let me help you, hold you. There was only the one table in the room. We . . . we shared it. You slept on . . . on me, but nothing happened except that I saw how beautiful your body is. We were there for each other. You were the only human I saw. We talked; we shared our lives for those few days. Once the original trauma faded and you got to know me, trust me, we . . . we got close. Doc, I fell in love with you then - for the first time." There were tears in her eyes now, but she didn't speak. "Then I woke up in my apartment. You were gone from my memory. I didn't remember any of it. I didn't remember you. But it didn't last. Okay, it lasted for a couple of years, but even when I didn't remember, I was . . . I was drawn to redheads." He gave her a slightly embarrassed grin then. She tried to reciprocate. "I don't know what brought it back. Maybe I saw you, maybe a picture of you. I don't know. But I had to find you. I went back to Skyland Mountain - that was my mistake. I went to them, I went unprepared. And this time they took it all away." "I don't . . . Mulder, I don't remember any of this." "I know. Doc, it was too traumatic. But they . . . they did something to you. They implanted that . . . that thing." She was watching his eyes. "And my, my real pregnancy triggered . . . " He nodded, "I think so." They just held each other then, until Will stirred wanting to be fed. Once he was settled again, she was centered enough to continue their conversation. "Are you in danger, now that you remember again?" "No. I won't be making the same mistakes again. I'm not looking for them anymore. I have you, and Will. I don't want anything else. Let someone else save the world from ET." "Will the military leave you alone?" "If we handle it right." "Handle it? Do you think they'll find us here?" "Maybe not here, but I need to take you home. You need to see your parents, your family. And they should meet Will." "No. I want to see them, I do, but not at the expense of your safety. I won't." "It will be okay. We have help. I'm not leaving you. And I won't let you be taken from me ever again."