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Title: Fondest Dream Summary: Mulder is left no choice and has to leave Scully before she gives birth. The Gunmen see to it that her fondest dream comes true. Scully comes out of the bedroom as Mulder is hanging up the phone. "Who was on the phone?" she asks. "Would you believe ... Kersh?" he replies. "What did he want?" "He said he needs to talk to me." "About what?" "He wouldn't say ... just that it's important." "Are you going to go?" "Yeah, I'm kind of curious. I can't imagine what he would have to say to me. He already fired me!" "Do you really think that's a god idea? ... I mean we both know he's involved in this conspiracy, right up to his eyeballs! Maybe we should leave well enough alone!" "I know Scully, but I'm not afraid of him and I'll be damned if I'm going to let him think I am!" "Just promise me you'll be careful. Don't say anything or do anything he'll be be able to use against you." "I'll be careful, don't worry!" he says as he walks over to her, bends down and kisses her. Then he heads to the bathroom for a quick shower before he goes to see Kersh. When Mulder comes out of the bathroom, Scully is sitting on the couch. He goes over and sits down beside her. "Scully ... I gotta know! If there's a chance of finding out something important, I have to go!" "I know you do, but I just have a bad feeling about this." "It'll be okay," he says as he bends down and kisses her again. After several minutes, she pulls away. "If you keep that up, you won't ever get to that meeting," she tells him. He smiles and waggles his eyebrows at her. "Now that's an offer ..." She reaches up and gives him a quick kiss and tells him to get going. Mulder is really uptight by the time he gets to the Hoover Building. Maybe Scully was right ... maybe this WAS mistake! No! ... He isn't going to think like that. He won't allow Kersh to get the upper hand. He is really upset by having to be searched by the metal detector before entering, but he knows it's not the guard's fault. The guard feels really bad about it, but he knows he has no choice. When he finally gets back to his car, he unlocks it and climbs into the driver's seat. Then he drops his head to the steering wheel. What in the hell was he going to do? He couldn't leave Scully, especially not now! She wouldn't understand ... and he honestly couldn't blame her! He put the key in the ignition and pulled out of the parking lot. He just started to drive, not a clue where he was going, just knowing he couldn't go home until he figured out what to do about this situation. It was almost eight hours later, when Scully finally heart his key slip into the lock and the door open. He closed the door behind him and just stood there, looking at her. When their eyes meet, he knew he'd made a big mistake. He saw the gian tears residing there, but behind them there was anger and fear. Over the last several hours her emotions had been all over the board. She'd been angry ... she'd been hurt ... she'd been scared. Her temper had flared instantly when he walked into the room. She started to walk toward him, intent on givjng him HELL for leaving her handing for over eight hours. When their eyes met, her heart melted and her eyes welled with tears. She wasn't exactly sure why, but she never seemd quite able to stay mad at him. Once she looked into those hazel eyes of his, she was lost. She knew him so well that when she looked into his eyes, it was like looking straight into his soul. When she looked into his eyes, she saw the pain there and instantly knew something pretty big had to have happened in his meeting with Kersh. But what could it have been? He just stood there, looking at her. He didn't know what to say or do. She walked over to him, put her hand on his arm and said, "Talk to me ... PLEASE! Tell me what's wrong!" Mulder just shook his head and walked over to the couch. He sat down and dropped his head into his hands. Scully was really getting worried. What could they have said to him to do this to him? He didn't react this badly when they took the X-Files away from him OR when he realized Samantha wasn't coming back! what could be worse for him than that? Her heart cried for him. What more could they hope to do to him? Why couldn't they leave him alone? Let him be happy. They could be so happy if they'd just leave them alone. She desperately wanted to help him, but she knew there was nothing she could do until he told her what had happened. she goes over to the couch and sits down beside him. She puts her arms around him and pulls him into her embrace. He resists slightly at first, but ends up falling into her arms crying. She holds him and gently rubs his back. "Please, Mulder! Tell me what happened! It'll be okay!" He pulls her closer and held her so tight it was like he thought she was his life line. If he let go, he'd die! "What could be worse than losing the X-Files?" she asks, finally. "There was a time," he says, "when I would have thought that was the worst thing that could ever happen." He slowly licks his lips and runs his fingers through his hair. "But now ... I know my sister is gone ... I know she's not coming back. I've accepted that -- finally! Scully, this hasn't been about Samantha for a long time now." She gives him a quizzical look as she moves back slightly so she can look in his face. "What do you mean?" she asks gently. He pauses and tries to convey how much he loves her through his eyes. When she looks into them, she sees right into the very depths of his soul. She has never in her life felt more loved or cherished. She sees the pain in his eyes and would give just about anything to take it away. She looks up at him again and says, "Mulder, please! We can handle anything as long as we handle it together!" He shakes his head sadly and then says, "Not this time, Scully. They've finally taken everything ... I wanted to find out who abducted you and make them pay!" "Mulder, I want you -- not revenge!" They have to pay! They've gotten away with SO much!" "Mulder, you're starting to scare me. Just tell me what happened with Kersh!" "He threatened me!" "That's never scared you before, why now? "Because he's never been so brazen about it before ... and he used the ultimate weapon against me!" "What are you talking about?" she asks. "You," he says resignedly. "That's crazy! You have to know that I'd never do anything to help him hurt you!" she says, getting pretty close to screaming. "I don't know that, Scully. You wouldn't have to do anything ..." He pulled her to him again and they sat silently wrapped in each other's arms. After several minutes, he continues. "He said if I didn't leave DC, I would die. When that threat didn't have the desired affect, he said if I didn't leave, you and the baby would die ..." he said as he reached out and caressed her tummy. "Define 'leave'," she says, holding back her worst fears. "Well, all he said was to leave DC, but I'd imagine the further away I go, the happier they'll be." "Fine ... We pack up and go. I can easily get a job else where. I don't want any part of the FBI if this is the way they treat you." "Scully, you don't understand ... I have to leave ... alone!" "What?" "Kersh was very explicit -- I go -- you stay!" Mulder can see her mind racing, trying to process everything she's just heard. "There has to be some way ..," she says finally. "Well, if there is , I wish I could figure it out. When I left Kersh's office, I drove around for hours. I figured if I could come home with a plan, we'd be okay. Then I just prayed for a possible idea. when I finally came home, I hadn't been able to come up with even One nearly possible idea!" "I can't lose you again, Mulder! I can't! I can get through anything as long as I have you! I have spent the majority of this pregnancy alone and scared! Afraid I'd never see you again!! Afraid of what this pregnancy really meant. Sometimes I'm still not sure ... I can't do this alone!" "Scully, you are the strongest person I have ever known. You'll do what you have to do. You always do. I don't want to leave, but I don't have much choice. I could never live with myself if something happened to you -- either of you -- because of me!" he exclaims as he gently caresses her bulging belly. "This is a dream come true for you, please let me at least know I gave you that much." "But Mulder, the baby is due in less than two weeks. I need you with me!" "Scully," he says. "Kersh was very definitive -- 48 hours and then they come after you! They had no trouble getting you before and I odn't know how to stop them!" "I can't believe this! I've always been strong because I've always been able to keep my emotions out of the mix ... that is until I met you. The emotions and feelings I experience with regards to you are so strong and so intense I can't seem to put them aside!" she says as she drops her head and the tears fall fast and hard. She is trembling from head to food. Mulder reaches over and pulls her into his arms. He has never felt so desperate -- not even when Samantha disappeared! When Scully had finally fallen asleep, he had carried her into the bedroom. He had laid her down on the bed and covered her with a blanket. Then he had quietly tiptoed out of the room, closing the door behind him. He was really worried about Scully. She had always been so strong. He figured she could handle anything, but when he looked in her eyes, he realized this just might be too much for even her to handle. He knew he had to leave ... there just wasn't a choice. He wouldn't endanger her that way, but at least he could make sure someone watched out for her, he thought to himself. He strode across the room and grabbed the phone. He dialed quickly and waited for an answer. Mulder sighed a sigh of relief when the line was finally answered. "I need to talk to you," he said. "About what?" "I can't say over the phone, but it's the most important thing I've ever asked you to do," he says fighting tears. "Mulder, are you okay?" Byers asks. "As good as I'm going to be," he replies. "Can I come over in about an hour?" "sure ... it sounds important." "It is," Mulder replies and then disconnects the line. He goes over to Scully's desk to try and find something to write her anote. She needed her rest so he didn't want to wake her, but he knew she'd worry if she woke up and he was just gone. As he picked up a piece of paper, he heard a blood curdling scream from the bedroom. He dropped the paper and ran into the bedroom as fast as he could. When he arrived, she was still crying and begging some unseen person to ... he wasn't even sure what she was begging them not to do. He went over and sat on the bed beside her and pulled her into his arms. She immediately started to hit him and fight him. He never let go of her and gently shook her until she started to come around. As soon as she opened her eyes and saw him there, she dissolved into tears. She hugged him and cried. She cried and cried. He didn't know what else to do, so he just held her until she finally settled.' "Are you okay now?" he asks, still concerned." "Yeah, I think so ... it was just SO real ... they took the baby!" she said, feeling her pulse rate increase just thinking about it. "Don't worry. It was only a dream. It's all over," he says cuddling her closer. "Scully?" "Yeah," she replies sleepily. "I have to go out for a bit," he tells her. She immediately sits up, eyes wide -- obviously wide awake now. "Why?" she asks. "It's nothing for you to worry about," he says as he lays her back down on the bed and gets up. When he looks down at her, he sees fear in her eyes again. "Mulder, I know you," she says as she reaches out and takes his hand. "When you say that it usually means that's exactly what I should do -- worry! Please don't go. I don't want you to do anything crazy!" she begs him. "I won't Scully. I promise ..." When he sees the look of disbelief on her face, he continues, "I'm just going to see the Gunmen." She sits up and swings her legs over the edge of the bed. she is still holding his hand and uses it to pull herself up off the bed. They are now facing each other and she reaches up and caresses his cheek sweetly. "I'm going with you," she says as she moves around him to get some clothes and get dressed. "Scully, you really should rest." "I won't rest a minute while you're gone -- partly because of the dream and partly because I'll be worried about you doing something crazy. If I do with you, I'll be able to prevent any craziness." He wishes she would lay back down and rest, but he knows when he's beat. Once she had her mind made up there was no way ANYONE could change it. Scully always got a kick out of how really paranoid these three guys really were. All the locks on their door and the descramblers on their phones -- they even recorded all phone calls. Try as she might, she couldn't figure out WHY Mulder was so set on comeing here. What was he planning? they had ridden from her place in almost total silence. As they got out of the car, she asked, "Mulder, what is so important that this couldn't wait?" He came around the car and put his arms around her. "Scully, I'm going to have to go ..." Just hearing those words brought tears to her eyes. "At best, only for a while ... at worst ..." She cuts him off bluntly. "I don't want to even think about that," she says as she feels more tears pooling behind her eyes. He pulls her closer and says, "For whatever time I'll be away, I need to know someone -- someone I can trust -- is looking out for you." "But these guys?" she asks skeptically. "I know they're somewhat unconventional, but I know I can trust them! With Kersh calling the shots, I can't go to anyone inside the FBI!" "If you trust them that much, it's good enough for me!" He steps back and smiles taking her hand and walking towards the Gunmens' apartment. Once they are seated inside, Byers, Langly and Frohike are all anxious to find out what is SO important. Mulder is sitting on the couch beside Scully. she is still holding his hand, like it's a life line! He plunges in telling his friends all that has happened since this morning. It's almost an hour later before he completes the story. All three of them are eager to help, they're just not sure what they can do. You guys are the only ones that I can trust. The thought of leaving Scully right now is tearing me apart. I need someone to look out for her when I can't. With Kersh calling the shots, I certainly can't trust anyone inside the FBI. I know you guys won't let anything happen to her." "We would be more than happy to watch out for the fair AGent Scully," Frohike says. "Thanks guys. I knew I could depend on you," Mulder says as he looks over at Scully. She knows he's grateful for their assistance, but she can't bring herself to be happy about it. It takes almost an hour to get all the details worked out. Byers will go to the hospital with her when she has the baby. It isn't what she really wants, but at least it's better than Langly or Frohike. They will come by every couple of days to make sure she's okay and make sure her apartment is clean -- that is no unknown listening devices. She listens to everything they are discussing, but shows no emotion or interest. When they are done, Mulder and Scully head back to her place. On the drive home, Scully is silent. she just sits and stares out the window. Mulder is worried. Finally, he reaches over and takes her hand in his. she latches on so tight it hurts. She looks at him and he immediately sees the desperation in her eyes. "Mulder, you re the only thing that makes me feel alive. I'm dead inside without you," she says , a single tear falling down her cheek. He can feel the familiar burning of tears in his eyes now. H e would have reached up and wiped them away, but Scully wouldn't let go of his hand. At the moment, that is her lifeline ... her connection to the land of the living, and she isn't about to give it up. They drive the rest of the way in silence. Mulder wishes he had the words to take that pain away. That he could tell her that he really didn't have to go. Once they are back inside her apartment, she pulls him to her and holds him tight. "Scully," he says. "You're exhausted. Why don't you go and get in bed?" "No," she says with her head still resting on his chest and her arms around his waist. "Not alone!" "There are some things I really should take care of," he says. "Mulder, please! Tonight it really hit me ... you're really not going to be here when I have this baby ... I need you right now!" when he looks in her eyes, he knows he has no choice. She's all that matters at this point. He has to make sure she'll be okay! "Okay," he says. "Let's go to bed." He puts his arm around her shoulders and they walk into the bedroom. Scully slowly comes to consciousness, hearing Mulder's voice. She opens her eyes slowly, not quite believing the scene in front of her. Mulder is on the bed beside her with his head on her belly -- talking to the baby. Scully quickly closes her eyes again, wanting to listen to what he has to say. "You probably don't know this yet, but I'm your daddy. I love you very much. I pray you will know just how much." He pauses then to wipe his own tears away. "Knowing your mommy like I do, I'm sure she'll make sure you know. As much as you will need your mommy when you are born, she'll need you too. I know this is a lot to ask of a tiny little baby, but please hold her together for me. I really need to know she'll be okay. As long as she has you to take care of, she'll fight tooth and nail to get by. There is one more thing I really need to tell you. I don't ever want you to think I'm not around because I chose not to be . There is no place in this world that I would rather be, but because of some very cruel, evil men I can't stay around right now. I just pray that someday I'll be with your again." When he finishes, he bends down and gently kisses her belly, right above the belly button. That's all Scully can stand. She has been fighting the tears ever since she first him talking to his child. She reaches up and runs her fingers through his hair. He is startled by the contact. He thought she was still asleep. He looked up at her, smiling crookedly. then he sees the tears in her eyes. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you." She reaches for his arm and pulls him up to lay beside her. Once he is settled beside her, she slips her arms around him and snuggles up close. "You didn't upset me, Mulder. It was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen or heard," she says tears threatening again. "Why didn't you tell me you were awake?" he asks. "I didn't want to intrude. You were having a very private moment -- you and your baby. You deserve that Mulder -- and so much more. He leans over and kisses her sweetly. "Scully, I feel like I already have more than I deserve. You love me and that certainly is more than I ever dreamt of," he says as he pulls her as tight to his chest as he can. They are silent for several minutes and Mulder begins to think she may have fallen back asleep. "Mulder?" "Yeah?" "I promise, our child will definitely know how much you love it." "Thanks, Scully." She had felt a few contractions throughout the afternoon. The doctor in her told her there was no need to hurry. First babies usually took their sweet time entering this world. The last thing she wanted to do was lay around the hospital endlessly. That would only make her miss him even more. At least here, she could be around some of this things, etc. It was SOMETHING of a comfort. As soon as she had felt the first contraction she had gone in the bedroom and pulled his Knicks shirt out of the drawer and slipped it on. It make him feel closer and when she closed her eyes, she could almost believe he was right here. By 8:00 p.m. that night, the contractions were getting pretty regular and somewhat more uncomfortable. As much as she wished things were different, she finally picked up the phone and called Byers. "I think we better go to the hospital now," she says, trying desperately to keep the emotion out of her voice. "Are you okay, Scully?" "Yeah. I just really miss him." "I know ... Look, Langly is calling an ambulance right now. It should be there soon. I'll see you at the hospital." "Okay ... thanks," she says and then hangs up. She walks over to the couch and curls up on it -- well, as much as she could 'curl up' these days. About 20 minutes later, the ambulance attendants were at her door. She had purposely left the door open, so when she heard the knock on the door, she just told them to come in. She slowly got up and as soon as she stood, another contraction hit. The attendants rushed to her side. They slowly took her over to the stretcher and laid her down. She rolled over on to her side and closed her eyes. Every contraction brought the baby closer, but it also made her miss Mulder that much more. She thought what she'd really wanted was this baby, but without Mulder it just didn't seem as important anymore. What was she going to do without him? Once they got to the ambulance, they took her vital signs and asked her some questions. She answered their questions, but with little or not interest. It seemed to take an awfully long time to get to Georgetown Memorial, but she figured maybe it was just because she was so uncomfortable. The attendant finally told her that they were at their destination. She was thankful. She just wanted it to be over. Things weren't the way they were supposed to be. She loved this baby, but she just couldn't help feeling very alone right now. As soon as they lifted the stretcher out of the ambulance, her heart stopped momentarily. This wasn't Georgetown Memorial! "Where the hell are we? This isn't the right hospital!" she screamed. The attendant just looked at her and told her to relax. Now she really started to panic! All the nightmares she'd had during this pregnancy were NOTHING compared to this! By the time they got to the doors of the ER, she was convinced that they were going to steal her baby. She tried desperately to get up off the stretcher and get away, but she couldn't. They had her strapped down and just kept telling her to be calm! Everything would be all right. Once they were inside, an orderly and a nurse transferred to a hospital gurney and took her straight to labor and delivery. What was going on? No papers to sign ... that could only happen if they were expecting her! How could that be? The the real terror hit her, as it slowly dawned on her. They were expecting her because they intercepted the call for the ambulance and brought her here so they could take her baby. Once again, she tried to fight them. She couldn't let them take her baby! Finally, the intern held her down while the nurse plunged a needle into her arm. Scully screamed as she felt herself slip away. Then all there was was blackness. The next thing she remembered, a nurse was gently shaking her. "Come on, honey," she said to her. "You need to wake up." Her eyes fluttered open and was happy to see that it was a different nurse. "Your labor coach is here," the nurse said. Finally, she thought to herself, someone who can tell me what the hell is going on. "Can I see him, please?" The nurse shakes her head and heads for the door. She was SO tired she couldn't keep her eyes open. She never heard him enter the room. It wasn't until he was beside the bed and said "Hi!" that she even realized someone was there. She knew who it sounded like, but she knew she had to be wrong. She closed her eyes tightly for a moment to prepare herself for the disappointment. When she opened her eyes, she almost fainted. She was sure if she hadn't been already laying down, she WOULD have fainted. She blinked her eyes several times to try and readjust her eyes to the reality of the situation. Just then a contraction hit her and she cried out as she reached for his hand. The instant she touched him, she knew! It really was Mulder! she rode out the rest of the contraction and as soon as it ended, she pulled him into her arms and cried. That is exactly how Dr. Smithson found them a few minutes later. "I hate to interrupt," Dr. Smithson says as he enters the room. They pull apart, but Scully will NOT let go of his hand. She looks up at Mulder and asks, "What is going on?" "Trust me Scully. It's okay. I'll explain later." She is still somewhat skeptical, but she know he wouldn't let anyone hurt them. When Dr. Smithson says he needs to examine her, she agrees without hesitation. When he has completed his examination, he tells her that everything looks fine. She is about 6cm dilated so they still have some time to go yet. Suddenly, Scully doesn't care any longer how long it takes. Mulder's here and that's all she cares about. Just then another contraction hit. She concentrated on staying relaxed and it passed fairly easily. "Are you okay?" he asks, concerned. "I am now," she says, as she pulls him to her. "I can't tell you how much I needed you here." "I know," he says, as he bends over and gently kisses her. "I really don't understand how this all happened ..." "I don't exactly either ... Byers called me, told me to show up here and give his name. When I was a bit hesitant, he reluctantly told me why. I just about tripped over myself to get here4. THEY fixed it all up," he says smiling. "They really are good friends, Mulder," she says. "To both of us." She rests her head against his chest and slips her arms around him. As she relaxes, her eyes drift shut. When the next contraction hits, she has almost drifted off to sleep. She cries out as she feels the muscles in her abdomen tighten. Mulder sits right up. "Are you okay?" he asks, worry written all over his face. "Yeah," she manages to get out through clenched teeth. Just then the nurse walks in and immediately sees that she is in the middle of a contraction. She goes over and shoos Mulder off the bed. Scully grabs his hand, however, and won't let go. The nurse gently tells her to breath and go with the contraction. Shortly it is over and done. To Mulder it seems like the contraction goes on forever, but in actuality it only last a little over a minute. When it is over, the nurse tells her that she needs to check her again. This time she isn't quite 7cm dilated. The nurse looks somewhat concerned and Scully picks up on it immediately. "What's wrong?" she asks, trying to keep the panic she's feeling out of her voice. "We had hoped you'd be further along, but it's nothing to worry about," she replies and leaves the room. Once the nurse has left, Mulder sits on the edge of the bed again. "Tell me what I can do, Scully ... to help." "Just you being here helps more than you'll ever know." Before she knows it another contraction hits. "Just stay with me, hold me ... talk to me, please," she says as the contraction peaks. She tries to relax and breathe as they taught her in Lamaze class, but it's getting harder and harder. "Mulder ... talk ... to me! I ... need to hear ... your ... voice!" "About what?" he asks. By this time the contraction is almost over. "I don't care. Your voice is very comforting to me." "Okay," he says. "I'll be ready." She just smiles and reaches up and kisses him gently. "I love you ... and thank you!" "For what?" he asks. "For doing this ... like this. I really needed you here." "There's no where else I'd rather be. I WANTED to be here!" he says as he wraps his arms around her. The doctor pops in for a moment and tells them that he wants her to try and get up and walk around a bit. Sometimes that helps the baby move down. Mulder gets up to help her. She swings her legs over the side of the bed. As soon as her feet touch the floor another contraction rips through her. The force of it throws her back on the bed, but the doctor encourages her to remain standing. As the contraction intensifies, she doubles over. Mulder is scared, but he does his best to hide it. He lets her rest her weight against him, talks to her and gently rubs her back. A WHILE Later She cries out as the next contraction hits her. They are almost one on top of the other now. They have been walking the halls for over an hour. The contractions are SO intense and so frequent she rally doesn't know how much longer she can keep this up. When they return to her room, the nurse tells Scully to get in bed. Dr. Smithson will be in soon to check and see how she's doing. The nurse tries to help get her back in bed, but she pulls away from her. She looks up at Mulder, beseechingly. "Don't worry about it," he tells the nurse. "I'll take care of it." The nurse just shrugs her shoulders and leaves the room. Mulder scoops her up in his arms and puts her in bed. Just as he picks her up, another contraction hits. She holds on to him for dear life until the contraction ends. Then he lays her down gently on the bed. This whole situation is driving him crazy. He can see how much pain she's in and it's killing him. When Dr. Smithson appears, he examines and tells her that she is finally fully dilated. He tells her that when she feels the urge to push, she has to take a deep breath and blow it away. Then take another deep breath, hold it, pull her legs back and bear down as hard as she can, for as long as she can. She should be able to get three good pushes in each contraction. He tells Mulder to go up to the head of the bed. He tells him that during the contraction, he needs to push her up into more of a sitting position, so her body is cradled around the baby. He also has to encourage her. She seems to respond to his voice more than anything else. Mulder looks as white as a ghost. He's scared, but he knows he can't let her down now. It's his chance to be strong for her, for a change and that's exactly what he's going to do. When the next one hits, she cries out as she feels the urge to push. Dr. Smithson tells her to remember what he told her -- pull back her legs and PUSH! She has barely finished and he tells her to push again. By the third time, she's almost in tears. All the while, Mulder is holding her and whispering to her encouragingly. About half an hour later, after a particularly hard contraction, she just collapses in tears. "I can't do this ... I just can't ... no more!" she cries. "Scully, you are doing it!" Mulder whispers to her. Suddenly she looks up at the doctor and asks, "What's wrong? Why isn't it out? I can't do this any ..." Before she can complete the sentence another contraction hits. Dr. Smithson tells her to push! She says she can't -- not anymore! "Dana, honey, you have to. It's the only way to end this." Knowing in her MIND that the doctor is right6, she tries to push again, ending up screaming in agony. "Oh ... uh ...! Why isn't it out?" she cries. Not knowing what else to do, Mulder cradles her in his arms. He's so afraid, he can't even speak. "Mr. Mulder," the doctor says. He looks up at him and says, "Just Mulder, Just call me Mulder." "Okay, Mulder, I want to try something different. I want you to come and sit on the end of the bed like this," he says as he demonstrates. He is sitting on the edge of the bed with his legs a few inches apart. Then he goes and helps Scully move down so she's sitting on Mulder's lap. He tells her to wrap her ankles around Mulder's lower legs. When the next contraction hits, Scully leans back into Mulder, crying. Dr. Smithson tells him to move his feet so they are about 3 to 4 feet apart. That causes Scully to cry out again. "Come on, Dana. PUSH!!" he commands. She pushes as hard as she can and ends up crying out in frustration. "That was good, Dana. Now I want you to push again, but no sound effects this time. I want you to channel all that energy into pushing. Come on!" She pushes with all her might once again. "Please help me!" she begs through her tears. Mulder remains silent -- afraid if he opens his mouth she'll know how scared he is. Seeing her suffer like this is absolutely breaking his heart, knowing he just has to let it happen. "Come on Dana! You're doing it! It won't be long now!" Dr. Smithson says. "Okay, now I just want to you breathe. Slow and easy. That's it." As she concentrates on just breathing, she puts her hands up and gently caresses Mulder's cheek. Then a really strong contraction hits. "Okay, Dana. Come on! Give me a really big push! Come on, get the head out!" She bears down with all the strength she can muster and finally the head pops out. "Okay, the head is out!" Tears start streaming down her face, "My baby's here ... my baby's here ..." Before she knows it she's in the throws of another contraction. "You said it was out!" she creams. "The head is out ... now comes the shoulders. Come on, Dana!" "I can't ... just pull it out, PLEASE!" she begs. "I can't, Dana. You have to help me. Come on, PUSH!" She gives one more big push, followed by the most ungodly scream. when Mulder finally looks, he sees the baby in the midwife's hands. Tears immediately spring to his eyes. "it's a boy!" Dr. Smithson announces. Mulder's tears start to flow freely. Scully leans back against him, crying as well. The ordeal was finally over. An hour later, they were all alone. The three of them were curled up on the bed together. Scully had never been happier. This was all she'd ever really wanted. She knew it was going to change soon, but she planned to enjoy it while she could. Mulder had never felt such intense emotions before. Tears threatened every time he thought about it. What more could he even hope for? Scully was more than he deserved, but now ... their son! He never knew that he could love anyone the way he loved these two, he thought as he embraced them tightly. Scully tried to hide the yawn that snuck out of her. Mulder bends over and gently kisses her on the top of her head. "Go to sleep, my love!" he says. "I'm so tired," she says as she closes her eyes. After several minutes have gone by, figuring she has fallen asleep, he closes his eyes too. "Mulder?" she asks. "Yeah," he answers, his eyes popping open. "You're gonna stay right?" "I'll be here when you wake up, I promise." "Thank you," she says as she snuggles up beside him and drifts off to sleep. The End
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