From: "B R Cary" Date: Tue, 03 Jul 2001 17:33:28 -0400 Subject: new story submission Source: direct Title: Veritas -- praemia virtutis Author: Cary Classifications: SR (Mulder/Scully Romance) Spoilers: None Rating: PG Disclaimers: Mulder and Scully are not mine. If they were, I would let them come out and play more. Summary: Sometimes the very thing you think will never happen is the one thing that does. Note: "praemia virtutis" is Latin for "rewards of virtue". This story is the fourth in the Veritas series. It can be read completely on its own or as part of the entire series. Feedback: I would love to know what you thought of my story, but if you hated it, please be kind when telling me. As with most authors, I am quite sensitive when it comes to my stories. Sharing them with other people is like walking a tightrope -- exciting, but scary as hell. Send feedback to cary1013@hotmail.com Archive: Anywhere as long as all the necessary forward information stays in place and I am notified first. Veritas -- praemia virtutis Special Agent Dana Scully sat alone in a cold doctor's office looking at all the medical charts and pictures on the wall. Having a medical degree herself, she was always interested in keeping up on all the current medical information. However, she noticed that all the information on the wall was at least a year old. She was not too worried because she had extreme confidence in Dr. Julie Meister, who she was here to see. The two women had gone to medical school together and Scully trusted Dr. Meister explicitly. Despite her trust in Dr. Meister, though, she had not wanted to come to the doctor at all. Her husband and work partner, Special Agent Fox Mulder, had insisted. She had nearly died from a brain tumor several years earlier and although her cancer was currently in remission, Mulder was constantly worried that it would return. He had gotten quite upset when he had found out just how sick she had been feeling the past several weeks. She has tried to keep it from him because she knew how much her worried and she thought the symptoms would go away. The day before when Mulder had found her lying on the bathroom floor after she had thrown up in the toilet and had not had the energy to go back to the bedroom, he had been extremely hurt that she had not been honest with him. Scully was an independent person who greatly disliked showing any sign of weakness to anyone, but even more so in front of Mulder. She felt that if she shared her troubles with him, he would come to see her as the overemotional, needy type. She knew deep down that would not happen, but she had always been that way. In the months since her marriage to Mulder she had learned to be much more open with him, but every now and then she fell back into her old habits. So here she was at the doctor, mostly to appease Mulder, but also because she knew he was right -- although she would not let him know that. Scully had just picked up a magazine when Dr. Meister entered with the results of the blood work she had ordered. She crossed to where Scully sat and pulled up one of the extra chairs. "Well, we found out the cause of your illness, although I'm very, very surprised that you didn't at least suspect what was going on. After all, you were the top student in our medical class, Dana. Something like this should have been easy for you to recognize," she said. "The symptoms seemed to indicated the flu, but when they didn't go away, I didn't know what to think," Scully admitted. "I know the flu can linger for quite some time, but this isn't like any of the cases I have heard about." Dr. Meister raised her eyebrows. "The flu, Dana. That's what you tried to tell yourself this is? I know you are not taking birth control pills and you know how unreliable condoms can be. If you didn't want to get pregnant, you should have used a different form of birth control." The world suddenly stopped for Scully. Had Dr. Meister just said she was pregnant? Surely she had been mistaken. Several reputable doctors had told Scully that children were not an option for her. "Did you just say I was pregnant?" "Yes, I did." "But, Julie, I was told that I would never be able to have children. When I was kidnapped almost eight years ago, tests were run on me that left me barren," Scully said softly. Even though it had been over three years since she had found out about her condition, it hurt as bad now as when she first learned about it and knew that it always would. When Mulder had asked her to marry him, she had worried that he would be giving up his chance to have children of his own. Mulder had just hugged her and said that it did not matter as long as she was with him. While part of her loved him for feeling that way and was grateful, the other part still felt guilty, especially since without children it would mean that Mulder was the last one in his direct family line. Now she was being told that those doctors who had told her she was barren had been wrong and all the hurt and anguish had been for nothing. Her mind refused to believe it was true. What if Julie found out that she had made a mistake? Scully did not think she could go though the pain all over again. "Yes, I read the previous doctors findings in your chart, but obviously they were wrong. Well, not completely wrong, just overly cautious in their diagnosis. It would appear that whatever tests were run on you during your abduction did not remove all of your ova as they stated, but severely reduced the number you do have. It might be extremely hard for you to conceive, but it can be done, as witnessed by your present condition. Of course, the fact that you have a husband who looks like yours does not hurt matters any. If I was married to him, I doubt I would ever let him leave the bedroom,' Julie said with a teasing smile on her face. Scully blushed, although she was used to how women reacted to her husband. Mulder was a very handsome man. However, her thoughts were not on that fact at the moment. She was still trying to process the fact that she was actually going to have a baby. "When am I due?" "It looks like you are about three months right now, so I would say around November 22." Smiling for the first time, Scully responded, "That is fitting seeing how that is Thanksgiving." "Yes, I think you will definitely have something to be thankful for. Now, hopefully your morning sickness should let up soon. I also want you to start taking prenatal vitamins. Before you leave, have Shari schedule you an appointment for next week so we can check you over completely. Everything appears to be just fine, but I will be able to tell more then. Oh, and congratulations, Dana." Scully just nodded, suddenly feeling overwhelmed. She felt Julie give her a hug and say that she would see her next time, but Scully's mind was elsewhere. She was going to have a child. No, not just any child, Mulder's child. What was he going to say about this? Would he be happy or feel that the child would be a burden? And what were they going to do about work? Knowing Mulder and his protective nature, she knew he would not let her do any fieldwork while she was pregnant, but what about after the baby was born? What would they do then? Suddenly one thought made her forget everything else. She was going to be a mother. Running her hand over her stomach, she let the tears she had been holding back since she had heard the news fall. ******************* Mulder walked into the apartment he and Scully now shared. When they had gotten married seven months before, they had decided since Scully's apartment was the larger of the two, they would keep hers and lease his out. They had put some of her things in storage and moved some of his in, so now the apartment reflected both of their personalities. The feeling of warmth that he always felt at Scully's had only increased since their marriage. He had been alone for so long that it was wonderful knowing that there was going to be someone he would be coming home to, even though it was the same person he spent the whole workday with. Many people had voiced their concern that the two agents would suffer from overkill by both working together and being married, but so far that had not happened. As close as he and Scully had been, there was still a lot they had not chosen to share. Since getting together romantically, and even more since getting married, the walls that had been around themselves had come down and they had begun to share everything. That was why he had been so distressed, no, make that angry, when he had found Scully sitting beside the toilet the day before. He had been upset with her for not telling him how sick she had been feeling and he had been upset with himself for not noticing it. His biggest fear was that Scully's cancer would come back and this time there would be nothing he could do to save her. His wife meant everything to him and he knew he would not be able to go on without her. As he entered the living room, Mulder looked around for Scully. He wanted to know what Dr. Meister had said. He had been worried about it all day. He had offered to go to the doctor's with Scully, but she had politely refused. Knowing that was Scully's way of telling him that she needed to do this alone, he had not pressed her. When he did not see her in the living room, Mulder looked in the kitchen, but she was not there either. As he walked toward the hallway that led to the bedrooms, he noticed a small figure curled up on the sofa. Moving to sit beside Scully, Mulder reached out and brushed a lock of hair away from her face. A feeling of wonder came over him as he did. Even after all these months, he still found it hard to believe that this fiery, passionate, amazing woman had chosen, of her own accord and free will, to be with him. Leaning down, he placed a soft kiss on Scully's forehead. Straightening up, he noticed that Scully's eyes had opened. He smiled down at her. "Hello, sleepyhead." Scully sat up suddenly, almost colliding with Mulder. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to fall asleep." "Don't apologize. You obviously needed the rest," Mulder said, running his hand down Scully's cheek. "What did Dr. Meister have to say?" In response, Scully just smiled and pulled Mulder to her in a deep kiss. As usual, Mulder found himself responding immediately. Since their very first time together, both of them had known almost instinctively what drove the other over the edge. Scully raised her hand to Mulder's chest and pushed him lightly back on the sofa. Leaning over him, she continued to run her hands along his chest. Mulder reached up and buried his hand in Scully's hair, holding her head as he began to trail kisses down her neck. Moving up to her ear, he said with much effort, "This is a very effective distraction, Scully, but I still want to hear what the doctor said." Sitting up again, Scully said, "Everything is fine." Looking at her, Mulder saw that Scully was telling the truth, but that something else was also going on. He could see it in her eyes. "So, what was it? A bad case of the flu?" he asked, hoping to gently lead Scully into telling him what was really going on. Scully got off the sofa and walked to stand by the fireplace. "Something like that." Mulder stood up as well. "What do you mean something like that?" he demanded. "Are you going to be all right?" Nodding, Scully smiled softly. "I should be just fine . . . in about six months." At Mulder's curious glance, she added, "I'm pregnant." Total and utter shock filled every part of Mulder's body. Had Scully just said she was pregnant? How, he wondered? Well, he knew how, but Scully was supposed to be unable to have children. In fact, he had known that before she had. Sitting down again, he said, "Did you just say that you are pregnant?" Scully nodded once more, a look of worry beginning to cross her face. "Yes," she said quietly. "Are you completely sure? This isn't some sort of mistake?" Mulder asked, knowing his questions sounded harsh, but he had to be sure he was actually hearing Scully correctly. Shaking her head, Scully practically whispered, "No, Dr. Meister was quite certain." Mulder sat there for another second and then jumped off the sofa, enveloping Scully into a huge hug. He could not believe it. Scully, his beloved wife and partner, was pregnant with his child. The miracle they thought would never experience had come true. "Scully, this is wonderful." Scully hugged Mulder back. "You're happy about this?" At the worry evident in Scully's voice, Mulder inquired, "Aren't you?" "I can't begin to tell you how much. I was hoping that you would be as well, but we never discussed children so I didn't know." "I never wanted to bring up anything painful for you, but obviously all the doctors who said you couldn't have children were wrong. So, the reason you have been so sick lately . . ." "Morning sickness. Julie said that it should hopefully go away soon," Scully answered. Reaching down, Mulder lightly ran his hand over Scully's stomach. "How far along are you?" "About three months." Mulder stood there for a moment, trying to absorb the fact that in about six months time he was going to be a father. He had never thought about being before now. It was a hard concept to grasp. He, Fox Mulder, was going to have a normal life. Well, as normal a life as chasing things of a paranormal nature would allow. "Scully," he said. "Yes, Mulder." "We're going to have a baby!" ******************* Later that evening, Scully woke up and immediately realized that something was different than it normally was. Sitting up, she saw that Mulder was not in bed. Getting out of bed, she grabbed her robe and walked into the living room. At once, she spotted Mulder's tall form illuminated by the street lamp as he stood looking out the window. Coming up beside him, she laid her hand on his arm. "Hey, what are you doing out here all by yourself?" Without turning, Mulder answered, "I was just thinking. I didn't mean to wake you." "You didn't," Scully replied, and then she noticed the look on Mulder's face. He looked extremely upset. "Mulder, what's wrong?" Sighing, Mulder walked over to the sofa and sat down. He did not say anything for a moment and then he finally looked over at Scully. "Scully, what if I totally screw up our child's life?" Scully hurried over and sat down beside Mulder. "Oh, Mulder, don't ever think that. You are going to be a wonderful father." "How do you know that? You know what my relationship with my own parents was like. What if . . . what if I turn out like them?" Mulder admitted, looking at the floor. Reaching over, Scully took Mulder's hand in hers. "You won't turn out like them because you are nothing like them. You are the most caring person I know. Besides, I have seen what you are like with other children. They adore you. The only concern I have is that you will dote on our child so much that they will be able to get away with anything," she said, smiling softly to let Mulder know she was teasing about the last comment. Mulder smiled back. "How can I not dote on something we thought would never be possible for us?" Scully wrapped her arms around Mulder's waist and hugged him. She curled up her legs on the sofa and put her head on his shoulder. They sat in silence for several minutes and then she said quietly, "Only with you Mulder." "Only with me, what?" Mulder asked, a look of confusion on his face. "Only with you could this miracle have happened," Scully replied honestly. Running his hand down Scully's cheek, Mulder smiled again. "Maybe the universe is finally trying to balance out all the horrible things that have happened to us by allowing us to have what we wanted most. I know I have gotten what I have always wanted -- a life with you." "If marrying you and having your child is indeed my reward for all the universe has put us through, I think I would like to thank it. This is the most amazing gift I have ever received and one I will treasure for the rest of my life," Scully responded. Mulder pulled Scully closer to him. "I love you, Scully." "I love you, too . . . Dad."