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Title: Everything's Changed Summary: Post Episode: Mulder and Scully wonder what the future holds. Thanks to John for the original editing. Thanks to Melanie for her advice. Author's note at the end. Our lips part. I'm smiling. He's smiling. We're both smiling... Did that just happen? I feel a wave of energy and happiness come over me as I look down at William. It's literally been years since I've felt this warm and loved inside. It's absolutely incredible. "Get some rest," Mulder says, handing William back to me. He touches my hair before leaving me to contemplate my utter euphoria. I replay the scene in my head. Who knew the truth felt this good? I set William down in his crib, watching him look up at me. He's safe and he's happy and... human. This is all I've ever wanted. I didn't always realize it, but being a mother means everything to me. My happiness is doubled because Mulder is here to enjoy it with me. I think back to the kiss we shared just moments ago. This entire scenario would have seemed ridiculous eight years ago. I never in my wildest dreams expected my partnership with Mulder to turn out this way, but it's all different now. Everything's changed. Everything's changed. Suddenly I'm lacking clarity. Mulder and I have never been what one would call a traditional couple. He's also never expressed much interest in settling down. What makes me think he wants us to be a family? Does he want to marry me? Has he even considered that? Have I? I'm sure that he loves me and he's William's father, biologically or not. That should be enough; it was enough five minutes ago. In an attempt to regain my happiness, I turn to William. He's sleeping and I still can't get over how perfect he is. Tears of joy form in my eyes. I can't stay sad for very long as long as he's here. I return to my own bed and snuggle under the covers, even though I'm already warm throughout my whole being. I kissed her. It wasn't a dream or a holiday. It was one moment of unadulterated bliss. Between holding my newborn son and finally showing her how I feel... I don't know what could possibly bring me down from the high I'm on. Why didn't I do this sooner? Actually, we were close to this point before my abduction. I was on he verge of telling her. I just never knew how or when to do it. It never felt right. "Hey Scully, I've been in love with you for years now. Just thought I'd fill ya in." Besides, she's always known. I'm sure she has. I'm just so glad that we've finally reached this point. Everything's changed. Everything's changed. It feels like someone's just punched me in the stomach. I don't have a job. Scully's on maternity leave. I've been avoiding my landlord like the plague. What am I doing here? She let me kiss her, but was that an invitation to let me move in? Probably not. The trouble with Scully is that she's not going to tell me. Well, I'm certainly not going to stride into her apartment and propose. She isn't the kind of woman who rushes into things. Maybe I should slow down. Then again, I've waited much too long just to reach this point. At this pace William will be in college by the time we get married. That's been my mistake all along. I want to talk to her right now. I need to see her and hold her. I want to spend the rest of my life with her. She needs to know. I return to her apartment, making sure to be as quiet as humanly possible. Despite my best efforts, I wake her up. She cautiously emerges from her bedroom, obviously relieved that it's me. "I woke you," I mumble, feeling like a jerk. "It's okay," she tells me. "No. I'm sorry. I should go," I say, turning towards the door. Her arm shoots out to pull me back to her. "Don't go," she whispers, her eyes pleading, "Stay." Looking at her, I know that she isn't just talking about tonight. I smile at her. "Of course I'll stay." She smiles back at me. I love her smile. I've seen her smile more times in the past two days than in all the years I've known her. I'm going to make sure she always has something to smile about. I lead him to the sofa. We sit in silence for a few minutes. There's no chapter that covers this kind of thing in a relationship book. How do you restart the fire in a relationship after your significant other has been buried alive for three months and you have just given birth to his mysterious love child? Well, perhaps *love child* is a bit strong, but it's fun to think it anyway. "We stopped the car," he says suddenly. "What?" "You once talked about stopping the car and starting a normal life. Well, we did it." "Did we really?" I ask uncertainly, "Or did we just put it in neutral?" "I'm pretty sure we pulled over, put it in park, and got out of the car. And we locked the keys in the trunk, so don't think about driving off without me, Scully." "I wouldn't do that, Mulder. I'd at least drop you off at a pay phone so you could call a cab." "That's why I love you, Scully. You're considerate to the end." "Mulder, say that again," I say, disbelieving my ears. Did he say he loves me? "You're considerate..." "The first part!" "I love you." There's no humor in his voice now. He's being serious. Even though I shouldn't really be surprised, the words make my heart flutter. Just to hear him say it. He loves me. He loves me. He loves me. "I love you too," I say, snuggling against his chest, "I love you so much." His arms wrap around me and press me closer to him. The feeling of warmth and security returns. I take the moment in, wanting it to last forever. I never want him to let me go. I never want us to be apart. I'm relieved. I told her that I love her and she didn't push me away. To tell you the truth, I was just teasing her. It isn't like Scully to take me seriously when I say things like that, but I'm glad she decided not to let it slide this time. She looks so happy in my arms. Somehow it feels too good to be true. Things just never seem to go smoothly for Scully and me. Why do I feel like I could be holding her for the last time? What should be a hello feels like a good bye. I try to relax, focusing on the here and now. "What happens next?" she asks suddenly, sitting up. "I was thinking about that before I came here," I tell her, "and I'm not sure." "Neither am I," she confesses. "It's funny. We've never really went on dates like a normal couple," I muse. "I don't think we're the poster children for a normal relationship, Mulder." "Do we start there? Do I take you to dinner and a movie?" It's bizarre when you find yourself unsure if the next step is a first date or a marriage proposal. I try and read her, but she's just kind of sitting there. Is she disappointed? Does she want more? If I offer more will she turn me down? "That'd be nice," she says, giving my arm a little squeeze before standing up and exiting the room. I remain on her couch. I'm still confused about our relationship and what the future holds. I guess there's only one thing that I can say with certainty: Everything's changed.
Author's Notes: I wrote the first part of this story immediately after watching Existence. I had so many questions about next season and what all this meant. I decided that the characters would probably have similar questions so I played off of that. At the same time that I was writing this story, I was also working on Eternity. That story became my focus and this one was put on the back burner. I was deeply unsatisfied with it and didn't want to knowingly unleash a bad story upon all of you. (All three of you.) I haven't put anything out all summer, so I resurrected this and improved/revised/rewrote it until I was at least somewhat satisfied. So there.
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