Summary: What happens when Mulder tells Scully to call him 'Fox'.

Author's Note: These events take place a few months after the movie and a few sixth season episodes.

Thursday, March 25, 1999
Late Evening

Scully could not believe what Mulder had just told her.

Sharing the bed with him, they discussed the case they were working on.

Mulder came into her motel room, complaining that the room he was staying in had no heat or extra blankets to keep him warm this cold night.

He shyly asked if he could stay in her room.

"Please, Scully, just for tonight..." Mulder pointed to the armchair in her room. It didn't look comfortable at all, but the old piece of furniture was better than the room he was in which was colder than a freezer.

Dressed in a large T-shirt and sweatpants, Scully smiled at him. She couldn't resist his boyish face, and always gave into his requests.

"Sure, you could sleep in here with me, Mulder. There's plenty of room on the bed..."

Mulder's eyes grew large. "Are you sure, Scully? I mean... it is your..."

"Of, course, you can..." She was full of surprises. "If you get out of line, I'll just shoot you..."

Wearing his jogging clothes, Mulder tossed his running shoes and jacket to the side of the room. Hurling himself onto the bed, Mulder caused it to bounce a few times before it settled down. Still, Scully managed not to lose a drop of her hot tea she was holding when he jumped on the bed.

"I should just get the gun and shoot you now!!"

He started the 'work' conversation, introducing his theories on the case. As always, Scully had a hard time accepting his far-fetch explanations.

She would go "Mulder this," "Mulder that," "Mulder, please," "Mulder, Mulder, Mulder..."

He let out a sigh, which caught her attention. Scully expected to hear him say one of his smart comments. What came out was a complete surprise.

"Will you just call me,'Fox'...?" Mulder had asked.

If it was meant to shut her up, it worked! She looked at him, her mouth open with disbelief. Scully honestly didn't know what to say.

"You better close your mouth, Dana, or something is going to crawl in there..."

"You want me to call you 'Fox'?" She finally answered, not noticing he had just called her 'Dana'.

"Sure why not? It's my name..."

"You never wanted me to call you 'Fox'. Why the sudden change of heart?"

"Does there have to be a reason? I just want you to call me 'Fox'. It's no problem with you, is it?"

"No, no problem whatsoever... Fox."

He smiled, liking the way she said his name. he felt a sudden regret for stopping her when she first tried to call him 'Fox' a few years ago.

"Well, I don't know about you, Dana, but I could go for some TV right now..." He reached over for the remote control but stopped in mid-reach. He turned back to her, a look of worry on his face. "You don't mind if I call you 'Dana', do you, Scully?"

"No, never did..." Dana smiled.

Friday: Before Sunrise

Having fallen asleep during the movie, Fox moved his body close to Dana's. He rested his head on her shoulder with his hand nestled on her stomach, unaware of the closeness he had brought to them both.

Dana had no plans to remove his hand. She liked the way it felt on her, giving her a sense of security. Dana brushed his hair to the side, enjoying her peaceful moment with him.

'Fox,' She thought to herself. 'He's letting me call him,'Fox'.'

When was the first time she tried to call him by his first name?

Tooms.

During the stakeout on Tooms a few years ago, she was trying to have A serious talk with him when she felt a strange need to call him by his first name. It ended with him reminding her, with a laugh, he preferred to be called,'Mulder'.

Mulder. Just Mulder.

It made it worse when she brought him the wrong drink.

(If there's an iced tea in that bag, could be love...)

Not knowing at the time, Dana had bought him a root beer instead of the drink he desired.

It must not have been love... or was it?

She tried to remember the first time he had called her Dana.

It didn't seem fair.

She never stopped or corrected him. The times he did call her by her first name caused her heart to beat fast.

When did she know that she loved him?

It was hard to believe there was a time she didn't. His every thought, his every move, his every boyish smile and all the annoying things he did had turned to love.

She wondered if he loved her?

There must have been some kind of love he had for her? Was it the kind of love a man had for a woman, or was it just the love for a friend or a sister? If the only kind of love he had for her was like that of a sister, it would kill her.

He did say it once.

(I love you...)

It had to be the medication. Why else would he have spoken such nonsense?

(Oh, brother...)

Maybe... just maybe.

When did she first fall in love with him?

It must have been when she handed him the root beer. It wasn't iced tea, but could it have been the start of love?

She kissed his forehead. Thinking of many times he kissed her, although never on the lips.

He would have once, if the bee hadn't stung her. She wondered what would have been if the damn bee had waited a few seconds. Better yet, no bee at all, only their lips together.

Those lips.

She gently touched them with her fingertips feeling the softness of them.

It wasn't fair. They should have kissed.

(Why not now?) The thought hit her.

I can't. I mean I shouldn't.

He's sleep. It would be taking advantage of him.

I don't want to wake him up.

Like the wind.

(Be slow, Dana, don't press too hard. Be gentle... be gentle... )

Their lips connected. Dana tried to be careful as she could, feeling the warmth of his lips against hers.

(Pull back, girl, you're staying too long...)

I don't want to go.

As she drew away, Dana felt his taste on her lips. Slowly with her tongue, she licked him in.

'I have Fox in my mouth.. Oh, Fox, you're inside of me now. I taste you all over my soul...'

While Dana enjoyed the moment, Fox's eyes slowly opened. A smile came across his lips.

"Hey, that's not fair, you had the first kiss..."

The End...

Summary: Fox has second thoughts about letting Dana call him by his first name and the reaction it had caused.

Friday, March 26, 1999
Before Sunrise

Scully was embarrassed that Mulder had caught her kissing him in his sleep.

She thought of running out of the room, but before she could, Mulder grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her down to his lips. This time, he was awake on fire. Passion surged through their connection.

He was in love.

She was in love.

He lusted.

She lusted.

The heat could have melted them together.

His tongue broke through wrestling with her lips. She, in turn fought back with her own tongue as her hands raked through his hair, marveling at the softness. Embracing her tightly, he pulled her closer to him. Rolled her over so he could rest on top. Held on to the kiss, neither one of them wanted to break it off.

When they finally separated, gasping for air, Dana stared into his eyes. He stared back wildly.

"Oh, Mulder..."

"Fox... call me Fox..." In the heat of passion, Dana had forgotten he had asked her to call him by his first name. "Never Mulder, only Fox..."

"Fox..."

Their lips embraced again. Fox pulled away for a moment, only to return kissing every area on her face. He whispered 'Dana' with each kiss.

Dana felt his erection against her, driving her even more insane. The wetness developing between her legs brought only one thought to her mind: Desire.

Desire for him.

"Oh, Fox, I..."

They both literally jumped off the bed, when they heard the hard knocking on the door.

"Agent Scully? This is Sheriff Born, are you awake?"

"Fuckin' asshole!!" Fox growled between his teeth. He turned back to see Dana dashing around the room, tossing his shoes and jacket at him. She called out to the sheriff as she moved around the room.

"Just give me a moment!!" Dana looked back at Fox. "They can't find you in here," she silently mouthed to him.

Shit!! She was right. They couldn't let them know he was in here. Even if they hadn't been making out, (oh, those lips...), it still wouldn't look right. Fox didn't need Skinner to live up to his name.

Grabbing hold of his stuff, Fox tried as quietly as he could to get to the bathroom. Dana threw on her robe and tossed the blankets back on the bed.

Hiding in the dark bathroom, Fox listened to Dana and the sheriff talked. Asking for the whereabouts of her partner, Dana made the excuse that he had gone jogging despite the early hour of the day. With a promise she would contact Mulder led to the discussion of the Sheriff's morning visit.

Fox started to lose interest in what they were discussing. Even the mention of another dead body was lost on him as he thought of what had happened.

Dana kissed him.

In his sleep, like a princess in a story... no, it would be a prince... he woke to her lovely lips on his.

So lovely.

Thank God or whomever he wasn't dreaming.

Ever since the last time he tried to kiss her he had obsessed about those lips.

It had been a trying time for them both. A time when the X-Files were closed, a fire destoryed the office, they were blamed for the bombing of the Dallas building, and they discovered a hidden secret in the Antarctic. Worst of all, he almost lost Dana. Yet, this time he got her back.

He got her back.

In the midst of all of that, he almost kissed her in the hallway of his apartment building. Fox came so close, and then the bee stung her.

They took her away...but he got her back.

The X-Files was restored thanks to her. Though they had lost control of it for several months, the events leading to her return had brought back their crusade. He found again his purpose through her.

His beloved Scu... Dana had welcomed him into her bed last night. Trusting him as he trusted her. Never had he experience such a night, where the nightmares did not haunt him.

Now she gave him her kiss, perhaps because he had asked her to call him 'Fox'.

(Blowing your own horn there, ain't you, Mulder..?)

Fuck you.

With all my heart, soul and mind.

It just felt right.

Like her kiss.

He approached her wanting to kiss her again, but she put up her hand, stopping him.

"I have to get dress quick..."

In one hand she held the clothes she laid out for the next day, and with her other hand she led Fox out of the bathroom, modesty still intact.

"They found another body..."

"Same cause of death?" Fox asked outside the door.

"Yes, from what the sheriff has described... I'm going to drive up there with him, he's waiting outside. I told him I would give you a call..."

Fox smiled on that one.

"As soon as we leave, you can go back to your motel room, get dressed and meet us out there." Dana came out of the bathroom. Even though she had dressed in a hurry, she was as lovely as always.

"No problem, G-lady..." Fox smiled at her.

"Good..." Dana slipped on her coat and checked her weapon," I'll see you out there..."

Stopping suddenly, Dana walked back to Fox, stood on her toes and kissed him quickly on the lips.

"I hope we can get back to this later..." she said and walked out the door.

Once the sheriff's car was gone, Fox hustled back to his room. The kiss had brought his arousal back. He needed to take care of himself before getting dressed.

The rest of the day, they stuck to business, referring to each other as 'Mulder' and 'scully' again. Yet they could still see the desire in each others eyes. It was unmistakeable, and neither one of them could miss it.

Saturday, March 27, 1999
Early Morning

The drive back home was tensed.

Everything had gone wrong on the case. Mulder's anger showed through his body language. His hands held tight to the steering wheel as his foot rested heavily on the gas pedal. Every foul word known to mankind shot out of his mouth as he cursed any driver who did him wrong on the road.

(I shouldn't have hit the deputy...)

The worst part of the ride was that it gave Scully time to think about the kiss.

She shouldn't have done it.

Her behavior was unprofessional. Mulder was her work partner. Work, that was all!! Even letting him sleep on her bed had been a mistake.

What was she thinking?!

What if the sheriff hadn't knocked but busted in and found them... together.

(What is so wrong about that..?)

Everything!! No... Not everything... I just don't know.

Afraid?! What's there to be afraid of?! We don't have that kind of relationship!!

(Yes, you do...)

I.

"MOTHERFUCKING, ASSHOLE, SON of A BITCH!!!"

Scully had seen Mulder drive aggressively before, but never like this. He was going to get them killed.

"Mulder, please pull over and let me drive the rest of the way..."

"What?!! You don't like the way I'm driving?!! What is so wrong with the way I'm driving, Sculleee?!!"

She closed her eyes and swallowed. Not wanting to fight with him, Scully was determined to remain calm as she spoke to him.

"Mulder, I know that you are upset about the case..."

"I don't think 'UPSET' is the word, Scully..."

"Fine!! Use whatever word you want to describe, use it! You are allowing your emotions to drive this car. If you continue in this way, you are going to get us into an accident. It could be fatal... And Mulder, I do NOT want to die or see you DEAD either! Please pull the car over and let me drive!!"

She waited for his comeback, but instead he let out a sigh and almost spoke in an apologetic whisper," OK, I'll pull over..."

As soon as Mulder put the car in park, they made the switch. Scully had to move the seat up all the way.

(I just wasn't sure if your little feet could reach the pedals...)

Don't think about that, just get us home.

Same Day: Late Morning

It had become an unspoken rule that whoever was the driver of the car had to drop the passenger off first. Scully pulled up to Mulder's apartment building and stopped the car.

Mulder had fallen asleep a short time after Scully took over the driving. She tapped him lightly on the shoulder to wake him up.

"Mulder, you're home..."

He woke up slowly, stretching a bit, turned to face Scully, who was smiling at him. As always, he looked like a little boy waking up from a nap.

(God gave you that face for a reason, Mulder. It makes it easier to forgive you for any of your foolish outburst...)

It seemed they were staring at each other forever when Mulder finally leaned over and kissed Scully square on the lips. It caught her off guard, but she did not back away. Instead, she returned the kiss, locking their lips together.

Mulder pulled away and put his head down.

"I'm sorry, Dana. I'm sorry for being such an asshole. You were right. I could have gotten us killed. Please forgive me?"

Dana could not resist a smile," Of course, I forgive you, Fox. I forgave you the moment you let me drive..."

Fox brought his head back up, smiling," Can I come over to your place later today? I'll bring dinner! I... I want like us to talk..."

"All right, how about seven?"

"Seven's perfect!" He raked his fingers through his hair. This time Dana leaned over for the kiss and Fox met her halfway. It was a quick peck, but it was most welcome.

Fox got out of the car, his legs feeling like jell-o. Dana needed to catch her breath as she popped open the truck for him.

With his overnight bag in one hand, Fox waved goodbye to Dana as she pulled away from the curb. All her doubts were forgotten for now, and she felt her heart pounding at the thought of him coming over that night.

Same day: Afternoon

Dana went through her closet and dresser drawers several times before she finally made up her mind on how she would dress for the evening.

As she went through the ritual, she chastised herself for the way she was acting.

It's just Mulder coming over. It's not like I've never had him over before.

Mulder, Fox... What difference does it make..?

(A whole lot!! You never cared how you dressed for Mulder, but look at what you are going through for Fox...)

I did too, care!! I.

Back at his apartment, Fox, too, was having a hard time deciding on what to wear. He eyed the dressed suit that was shape and double breasted.

I wonder what Scully would think of this suit..?

(Not Scully, it's Dana you are going to see...)

Dana, Scully, they're the same person.

She almost did... once.

I let her call me 'Fox'.

This is not a date... we're just going to talk... and about calling each other by our last names. It was business, keeping everything professional.

I'm not afraid. We are going to talk.

Dana did everything she could to make the time go faster.

She cleaned her apartment, read her e-mail, went over her notes on the last case, and checked her face several times in the mirror. She hated herself for behaving like this.

She was an intelligent woman, a doctor, and yet she was acting like a teenager waiting for her first date.

It's not a date... we are just going to talk.

Dana suddenly wanted to call her mother, but knew it wouldn't be the best thing to do. Her mother would read it all wrong and start planning a wedding.

Not that the idea of marrying Fox Mulder would be so bad.

It had a nice ring to it, and it had crossed Dana's mind once before. Somewhere in her apartment, packed away carefully was a notebook with a few pages written on it over and over again.

Dana Katherine Mulder.

She was being silly that night and hid the notebook when she heard Mulder knocking on her front door.

There was no way she was going to let him see the notebook. Dana would never hear the end of it.

With the idea of calling her mother sunk, Dana sat on her couch and turned on the television.

Same Day: Evening

Sitting in his car near Dana Scully's apartment building, Fox Mulder looked at the window of Dana's apartment.

On the passenger seat was a cooling pepperoni, sausage, mushroom and anchovies (one on side) pizza. Rested on the side of the pizza box were a dozen red roses and a bottle of wine.

Fox looked at his watch, it was 6:47PM, he had been sitting out here since 6:30PM.

Fox couldn't wait to see Dana again, and had decided to leave earlier than planned.

Now he was afraid to go in. He was even more afraid to give Dana the roses.

(Leave them here. There will be plenty of time for flowers later. Get up there so the two of you can talk...)

OK, OK... maybe I'll take the roses.

He continued to stare at the window, with his heart racing, and his breathing rapid, while he thought of what this all meant.

A life with Dana Scully.

Dana looked at the time on the VCR. It was after seven o'clock.

She didn't expect for Fox to be here exactly on time. She turned her attention back to the TV show but ditched the idea to look out the window. Seeing no sign of Fox's car anywhere, Dana hoped he was all right.

After one more look, Dana went back to the television and waited.

Fox did not know where he was going but he knew he needed to get far away as possible. He put his foot to the gas and drove out of the city.

In less than one hour, Dana had called Fox's apartment for the fifth time only to hear his voice on the answering machine to greet her.

She would leave a message each time," Fox, it's me. I'm calling to see if you are all right? Fox, please answer me...?"

As soon as she hung up, Dana tried his cell phone but was unable to reach him. He was more than two hours late.

Dana was trying not to panic, but when it came to Fox Mulder anything could have happened to him. Pacing up and down her apartment, Dana imagined the worst scenario: kidnapped, injured. Maybe he had run off on another excursion without her... Maybe he was dead.

(There is also the chance he could be asleep on his couch and just doesn't want to pick up his phone...)

Dana grabbed her coat, purse and gun. There was only one way to find out.

Fox ignored the numbers of miles he had traveled and the fact that tank was near empty. He kept driving into the night.

When she arrived at his apartment, Dana had her gun ready as she opened the door slowly. Her weapon aimed into the darkness of the room.

"Mulder?" Old habits die hard.

When she received no answer, Dana turned on the lights to an empty apartment. Carefully checking each room, she found no sign of any struggle, break-in, or blood. Everything was in place. Only one thing was missing... Fox Mulder. Dana checked his answering machine, and found all five messages from her still on the tape.

Double-checking each room, Dana entered his bedroom and found all his clothes scattered around the floor.

Dana shook her head at the slob condition of the room and started to pick his clothes up for him.

The bathroom took her breath away. Here was a sure sign he had been home. The towels on the floor were still wet, and a pair of boxers had been tossed between the toilet and the sink.

On the sink was a tube of toothpaste without its cap and with paste hanging from the opening. There was beard stubble in the sink, and a toothbrush with its bristles facing down on the counter. His shaving cream, deodorant and cologne had no tops on.

Dana shook her head again.

This guy is going to need a lot of work.

What..?

Suddenly it hit her: could that be the reason he didn't show up at her place? He was gone because of her? His disappearance be her fault because of what happened in the motel room that night? Her heart filled with guilt and regret.

He shouldn't have let her call him 'Fox'.

She shouldn't have called him by his first name.

Dana shouldn't have kissed him.

But it was too late.

The line had been crossed and there was no way for them to go back.

How could she move forward without him?

'No, it's not true! That can't be! He's hurt somewhere. He needs me...'

(But, Dana, you know it's true, you can feel it. He's gone because of you. Because of what could be...)

Dana covered her mouth. It wasn't true. It couldn't be true. Dana had to prove to herself that she was wrong for what she was feeling.

She picked up the phone and to call the Lone Gunman. Dana needed their help to find him. There was also the chance Fo... Mulder could be there with them.

As the phone rang, Dana tried to put herself together. The Gunmen didn't need to hear the tears in her voice.

It was after midnight when Fox Mulder stopped driving.

He would have kept on going if he hadn't needed to stop for gas.

Finding an all-night gas station and an all-night diner next to it made him realize how hungry he was. He hadn't touched the pizza and it had lost its appeal some time.

After filling the tank up, Fox headed off to the diner and hoped the food would be good there.

The eight other customers in the old-fashioned looking diner didn't make him feel any less lonely. He didn't want company anyway.

He didn't wanted to make any friends with anyone. Fox could count the friends he had on one hand: Langly, Byers, Frohike... and Dana. But Fox had his doubts that Dana would want anything to do with him after what he had done to her.

The waitress greeted him at the door and told Fox to sit anywhere he liked. There was an empty booth at the far end where he could see everything in the diner, and with any luck, no one would see him.

Given time to look the menu over, and a cup of coffee on its way, Fox managed not to think about Dana during his five-hour drive. Instead he thought of all the things in his life before Dana Scully walked into his office six years ago.

Fox had managed to wreck every relationship he ever had from his family, the women he once loved, and all his co-workers. He had been lonely and friendless for most of his life.

No one wanted anything to do with him... except Dana Scully. No matter what curves he threw at her, Scully always stood at his side.

He didn't deserve her.

he looked at his left hand where there once had been a ring. Mulder had never told Scully he was once married. A marriage that did not last long and was a mistake from the beginning.

The waitress returned with his coffee and asked to take his order. Fox realized he was no longer hungry but went ahead and ordered a breakfast plate.

When the waitress left him, Fox rubbed his tired eyes. What was it about Dana Scully that attracted him to her?

They had nothing in common except the desire to know the Truth... No, no, he took it back. They were both good at hiding their true feelings for each other.

Although their true feelings had a way of coming out. They always seem to find a way to express their hidden feelings. With a touch of the hands, or a smart aleck remark here and there.

(Hey, Scully, is this demonstration of boyish agility turning you on at all?)

(Maybe if it rains sleeping bags, you'll get lucky...)

Mulder could not hide anything when Scully took him into her arms. She was so warm and comforting... made him feel complete.

How? How was she able to do that..?

Yet, they still managed to dodge each other's true feelings. They had denied it for so long until the farce came to an end when Mulder asked Scully to call him,'Fox'. The walls they had built around themselves came crashing down.

Dana was ready, and so was he... or was he?

Why?! Why did he let her call him,'Fox'? It was safer to be Mulder, not to have a relationship, not to get too personal, always to be within a safe arm's length.

It was an illusion, a distraction from the truth.

Fox had planned to tell her his true feeling this night, just like he had done the night of the bee sting. He wanted to tell her more than he had that night, but he held back hoping the kiss would speak louder than words.

It never happened.

When he was in the hospital a few months ago, Mulder expressed his love for her, but Scully did not take him seriously.

(Oh, brother...)

Now he had another chance... the kiss had happened.

He wanted to tell her everything from that was in his heart, but Fox couldn't do it. Instead, he ran away like a scared little kid.

The waitress returned with his food, and Fox stared at his plate. If he hadn't run away, in a few hours, he could have been having breakfast with Dana.

(Coward, look at what you are missing out on...)

Fox let out a sigh. What was the point of running away? Dana knew where he lived and worked. There was no way he could avoid his little redhead.

He could imagine the search party she had out looking for him. At least it gave the Lone Gunmen something to do on a Saturday night.

Fox asked the waitress for a take-out container for his untouched food. He had paid for it, so he might as well take it with him. In case he doesn't have breakfast with Dana.

When he started his car, Fox turned the radio up loud. He needed to stay awake for the long journey to his destiny.

Sunday, March 28, 1999: Early Morning

12 hours since Fox had left his apartment, he walked back in.

He had tried for a few hours to call Dana on the cell phone he had shut off at the beginning of his drive. All he would got, though, was her answering machine, no Dana. She was probably home but refusing to answer his phone calls.

Fox couldn't blame her.

He decided to go home first, wash up and make himself more presentable for Dana. He wasn't about to go to sleep until he saw her. But Fox needed this moment at home.

As he entered his apartment, Fox found the lights on, although he knew he had shut the lights off before leaving. Reaching for his weapon, he moved cautiously into his living room, only to find a sleeping angel on his couch.

Placing his weapon on the table, Fox moved slowly up to her not wanting to wake her up.

Dana was beautiful, a woman of true vision.

Moving in closer with his lips ready to touch hers, Dana's eyes popped opened.

"Mulder!!" She screamed at him and lept into his arms, wrapping her own arms around his neck," Oh, Fox!! You're all right!! Oh, God!! I was so worried about you!!"

Pulling back to do a visual examination of him, Dana touched his upper body and arms to feel for any injuries. There were none. Once satisfied, she pulled him back into her arms, crying.

Fox wrapped his arms around her more tightly. He buried his face in her shoulder as he shared the sense of relief with her.

He was safe.

He was home.

They finally parted, staring into each other's eyes for a bit. No anger, no hatred, only the love was there.

They both met each other with a kiss. Their tongues entwined as they again embraced. When they separated, Fox was the first one to speak.

"I'm sorry I worried you, Dana. I... I needed to be alone... I..."

He stopped himself to put his thoughts together. Fox took her hands and looked into her eyes, a feeling of shame for what he was about to say.

"I was scared, Dana, I was scared of the way I feel for you... The harm I have done to you, you lost so much for knowing me... I don't know how you put up with me. You make me feel whole, you make me feel human, and you make feel loved. I love you, Dana. I don't think I can ever say it enough to make you believe it..."

Dana lifted their hands and kissed his," You don't have to worry, Fox. I do believe you. You don't have to say it, I can see it all around you, and you, too, make me feel whole and loved. I can't imagine my life without you. There is no reason to worry about the loss. It hurts, but you are not to blame. I'm sorry for not letting you closer to my heart. I was scared, too, but I'm not afraid anymore... I love you, Fox, with all my heart, my mind and soul..."

Dana kissed him gently on his lips. Fox felt his whole body shiver.

No more walls, aliens, government conspiracies, or things of the unknown would ever keep them apart. They were now on a new road together, a new adventure for themselves.

"Thank you for letting me call you 'Fox', I've always loved your name..."

Fox hugged her, pulling her closer to him as he laid their bodies down on the couch. Now he could sleep. With Dana in his arms, he never felt so peaceful.

"Dana?"

"Yes, Fox?" She brushed his hair with her fingers as she lay beside him.

"Could you sing me our song?" His eyes were closed, his head resting on her chest.

Dana smiled. She knew exactly what he meant. This time she didn't have to worry about her voice, or any moth-men.

"Jeremiah was a bullfrog..."

Same Day: Afternoon

Dana woke with a stir.

The sunlight was shining in her eyes. She remembered where she was and whose arms she was in. Dana leaned over and kissed her sleeping prince who did not wake up. Despite the warmth of their bodies, Dana felt the chill of the day and wanted a blanket over them.

She managed to slip out of his arms without waking him, and headed to his bedroom for a blanket. Pulling the blanket off his bed, Dana wondered when was the last time he slept on it was. It was nice looking bed, until she noticed the mirrors above her head.

"Oh, my God..." Dana opened her mouth wide as she stared back at herself. Not wanting to think about what Fox had done under the mirrors only what she planned to do to him when the opportunity arise.

Walking out of the bedroom, Dana noticed the time on the clock on his dresser drawer. It was three o'clock in the afternoon!

Dana shrugged her shoulders. They needed the rest.

As she walked back into the living room, Dana remembered the Lone Gunmen. She needed to call them and let them know everything was all right.

After covering Fox with the blanket, she went into the kitchen to call the threesome on her cell phone.

It was Langly who answered the phone, and beat her to the punch. They knew Mulder was home now because Frohike had gone over later in the morning to check on her, and found her asleep on the couch with Mulder. Poor Frohike was heartbroken and he was moping around the Gunmen office annoying everyone.

Dana was annoyed as well. Someone had come into the apartment while they were asleep. It was a sloppy job on her part. What if it hadn't Frohike but someone else? And she wasn't too happy that Frohike found her and Fox asleep together. That was private.

Dana wanted Fox all to herself... forever.

After saying her good-byes to Langly and giving her regards to the other two, Dana returned to the living room. She thanked God it was Sunday and they didn't need to go to work until tomorrow.

Some time in the next few hours, they needed to start working on the report for Skinner. He was going to need something to chew them out for the disaster of a case they were working on.

For now, Dana wanted to get back to Fox and the nice warm blanket waiting for her.

Dana figured he was too warm with it. It was best to remove his jeans since they were thicker than the ones she was wearing.

This wasn't the first time, Dana had had to remove Fox's pants. There were a few times when she was in a 'Doctor' mode that she needed to remove his clothing.

In other words, she had practice.

He was still lying on his back, which definitely would make her job easier. Dana unbuttoned Fox's jeans. With her hands on the waistline in the back, she pulled the jeans down his long legs. Not only did she remove his jeans with no problem or protest from Fox, but his boxer shorts as well came down with the jeans displaying his manhood.

Dana covered her mouth and snickered. She hadn't planned on this. Though she did enjoy the view. She had seen Fox nude before, but always with her in a 'Doctor' mode in place. Yet, in the back of her mind, and in the privacy of her bedroom, Dana allowed herself to enjoy the image of his penis in her mind. And what a penis it was!! Fox had no reason to be embarrassed by its size.

Still smiling, Dana was free to admire his penis this time as a lover, though she and Fox had not had sex, yet.

She wondered if she could..?

(Go on, I dare you...)

Dana gently touched his penis with her fingertips, guiding her hand up and down its length. She got a reaction and dared herself to do more. She took his penis in one hand rubbing her thumb up and down as her other hand massaged his balls with her fingertips. Fox moaned in his sleep, his waist shifting. Right before her eyes, Dana witnessed his erection coming to life. She repositioned herself, trying to avoid being kicked by Fox's long legs.

Dana put her own body on the couch resting on her hands and knees. Kissing the tip of his penis, Dana gently glided across it from her chin to her chest marking herself with his wetness. She returned with her mouth opened gently and took it in, sliding up and down, teasing with her teeth and tongue. Hearing Fox's moan once more in his sleep made her excited and gave her the courage to be more daring. Dana kept taking him in deeper with each moan encouraging her to go on. She couldn't wait for him to come.

Dana Scully let out a playful giggle around his penis and took him in deeper...

Summary: Fox and Dana are free at last with their love for each other, but it could get them into trouble with the games they play around at FBI Headquarters.

FBI Headquarters: AD Skinner's Office
Wednesday

Dana Scully was trying her best to pay attention to the Assistant Director Skinner who was going over the new case he wanted her and Mulder to investigate.

These last few days had been heaven for her. Finally letting her love free for Fox Mulder had done wonders for her.

Every morning Dana woke up to find the man she truly loved with his arms wrapped around her. She would wake him with a kiss that he would return. Pulling her closer to him, Fox would beg for a few more minutes of sleep. Dana always gave in and cuddled into his warmth. She would warn him though that he had ten minutes and that was that... same Old Dana but with a new twist.

Keeping a professional face, Scully turned her eyes to Mulder who seemed not to be having difficulty listening to Skinner and who showed great interest in what the Director had to say. When Skinner turned his back on the agents, Mulder blew a kiss to Scully.

She turned her eyes away from him quickly. Scully had warned Mulder that when they were at the office or anywhere near the building, they were not to show any affection to one another.

Being professional, they both knew the policies of the Bureau on agents having affairs with each other. Reassignment was inevitable, something Scully dreaded after the many months of background checks that she and Mulder were forced to do before the X-Files were returned to them. Their love could once again jeopardize their cause.

These last few days had been difficult no thanks to Fox, who took every opportunity to break their agreement.

Two Days Ago

Both Mulder and Scully dreaded their meeting with Skinner their first day back to work after proclaiming their love for each other.

Everything had gone wrong on the case they'd been working on for the past few days. (OK, punching the deputy out was a mistake...). Neither one was in the mood for a chew-out, except on each other.

As they drove to work together, both of them were lost in their own thoughts.

As she drove the car, Scully mentally prepared by repeating the name 'Mulder' over and over again. After having had the freedom of calling each other by their first names, Dana Scully worried that she might slip in front of Skinner or any of the other agents.

'Remember he is Mulder at work... 'scully reminded herself.

Fox Mulder could not keep his eyes off the skirt Scully was wearing. It seemed shorter than he had remembered it.

If she could just pull it up a bit.

Fox smiled, he suddenly thought about what she had done to him yesterday

... Looking at her with his sleepy eyes, Fox could not believe what Dana had done to him in his sleep.

It was wonderful!

It was mind-blowing!

Oh, God, this woman was killing him!!

When he came, he felt his whole body shiver. Never before had any woman done this to him... in his sleep!

Lifting his head up, Fox tried to see her with his blurry vision.

(Oh, God, I can't see!! She fuckin' blinded me!! )

Dana's face slowly came clear to him. Fox watched her clean her lips with her fingertips, sucking her fingers clean.

"Oh, Fox, you are so tasty."

"Really?" It was the only thing he could think of to say to her. His mind was so numbed that he couldn't think straight.

"So tasty..." Fox watched her disappear, and felt her tongue on his penis again, licking him all around. It was too much for him. His partner, Dana Scully, the so-called Ice Queen, was driving him completely insane.

"Fox!! Wake up!! Fox!!"

"What...?" Fox stared at her as she sat in front of his computer. They had forgotten the time and now it was after 4:00 A.M. They had slept the day away.

"We haven't worked on the report for Skinner. You know he'll want it this morning!! Get up and help me!!"

"Tell him the dog ate it..." Fox curled himself back to sleep but felt a hard smack on his butt. He jumped and stared at Dana who had both her hands on her hips. Her face was hard and firm.

She hit him!! He liked it!! He liked the anger in her face!! Fox wanted her to hit him again!!

"Fox William Mulder, you get up this instant and help me with the report! YOU were the one who hit the deputy!!"

"Yes, ma'am..." and immediately got to his feet.

Mulder, on the other hand, did not care what people thought of him, or how he looked that morning. His steps were light, he had a huge smile, and the look of a man who'd gotten some this weekend.

Luckily for them, no one paid any attention to the Twosome as they went about their business. Many of their co-workers believed that the two agents had been lovers for years.

Waiting for the elevator, Mulder could not resist a chance to have fun with Scully. When the elevator door opened, Mulder pretended to trip, and grabbed hold of Scully's butt. She whirled around at him in disbelief for what he had done! They hadn't even been in the building for more than five minutes and already he was breaking their agreement.

Mulder immediately played dumb," Gee, Scully, I'm sorry, the floor is slippery. Hey buddy, watch your step, the floor is slippery, too much wax, huh?" He warned the guy who followed in after him.

Scully could not yell at him or kill him with too many witnesses around, so she bit her tongue. Instead, she did the next best thing and pretended not to see his foot as she stepped on it, hard. Mulder let out a yelp and his eyes nearly popped out of their slot. He stared right at her, surprised.

"Gee, Mulder, I'm sorry. I slipped. I hope you are all right?" She gave him a superior look.

Mulder grinned at her, and mouthed in silence,'Let the games begin...'

The elevator ride was more fun than Mulder had expected. As soon as the last person got off the elevator, leaving him and Scully alone, Mulder leaned into her for a kiss.

Scully blocked him with her briefcase," No, Mulder!!"

"Please, Sculleee, just one?" He pointed to his puckered lips, as he gave her the sad puppy look.

Her eyes rolled up, her teeth gripped," I can't believe you?! You just can't do one thing I ask... Do you want them to reassign me, again?!"

"They can never take you away from me..." Mulder leaned in close and whispered in her ear," ... Dana..."

Why could she not stay mad at this guy? Before the elevator door opened to their floor, Scully gave him the kiss and ran out before Mulder could react.

Game time was over when they entered the office. The first phone call they received was from Skinner's office, ordering them to report to the AD immediately.

"Hey, Scully," Mulder turned himself around patting his butt," Do you want to play with this before Skinner bites it off?"

"No, thank you, he can have that, so long as I can have this..." She grabbed his crotch and squeezed hard. Before Mulder could react, Scully ran out of the office only to hear him moaning behind her.

It turned out that Skinner was easier on them then they had expected. He reprimanded Mulder for his behavior, but no charges were to be filed. The deputy admitted he provoked Mulder into the fight.

As they walked out of Skinner's office, Scully was relieved that everything was fine, but was still upset with herself for giving in to Mulder's games. She would correct the situation, even if it meant physical harm to him.

As they entered the elevator, Mulder tripped again.

Monday Night: Dana's Apartment

That night, they explored each other's bodies.

Fox discovered quite a few things about his lovely partner.

She was ticklish, and was definitely a redhead. There was not one part of her body he did not want to lick or eat. His tongue fitted quite well in her other lips.

Dana, too, loved to lick and taste. There wasn't one part of Fox that wasn't appetizing. She especially loved the birthmark on his right cheek. She sucked on it, bit around it, wanting so badly to eat it.

Until she found his nose.

Whatever possessed her that night, she wanted it. She sucked on it, stuck the tip of her tongue into his nostrils. Fox had to back away. It was ticklish, bizarre and very arousing.

She finished him off, like she did on Sunday, and this time he was awake for it.

When he came in her mouth, Dana lifted herself over him with her head partly back. What was left in her mouth drizzled onto her chin and down her neck.

At first, Fox was a bit offended. Didn't she like it? She did yesterday... suddenly he witnessed Dana rubbing his semen and her salvia all over her face like it was facial cream, down her neck and a little over her breasts.

She brought her body next to him wanting to kiss him, but he backed away.

"What's the matter, Fox? Don't you want to taste how good you are...?"

Tuesday Night: Dana's Apartment

Neither of them could remember what video was playing on the television. They were locked together, kissing each other.

Dana lay on top of as Fox rested his head on two pillows, bringing him closer to her.

They weren't interested in moving too fast. Just hugging and kissing was satisfying for them that night.

Wednesday: Present Time

After Skinner dismissed them, Scully rolled her eyes up and lightly bit her bottom lip. Waiting and wondering what stunt Mulder might pull next made her feel on edge.

Already, he had cornered her at the photocopying machine near their office, kissing her passionately on the lips and all over her exposed neck. Scully wanted to get mad at him, but his kisses so melted her that she responded with the same fire as he.

The assignment Skinner had given them required them to make a trip out to Vermont. Scully was glad they needed to leave immediately. The sooner they were out of here, the better she would feel about playing Mulder's games.

Scully loved Mulder dearly, but the fear of their love being discovered by the Bureau hung over her constantly. She wished she felt more carefree, like Fox was. He had never been afraid of authority. He always met the situation head on when it came to getting his way. Scully preferred not to have to deal with anything, but when she had no choice, she could take on anything they threw at her.

"Ahh, Vermont, Scully," Mulder whispered to her," If we can get things done in time, maybe we can share a motel room to ourselves for the weekend..."

"Mulder... I would like that, but first things first. You know that..."

"Sculleee, I wish you would relax, you didn't hear what I said..." He looked at her with concern.

Not liking the way he was staring at her, Scully felt the urge to cry. However, she swallowed it as they entered the elevator. This time, Mulder did not trip on anything.

The moment they were alone, Scully wrapped her arms around Mulder's waist, resting her head on his chest.

"I'm sorry, Fox, I don't mean to push you away... I just don't want them to separate us. After all we have been through... but I will always choose you over the X-Files..."

"They won't separate us, Dana. They have tried but it never works. You will always come first for me as well..."

He was about to kiss her when the elevator opened to their floor. Suddenly Scully felt like playing. She gave Mulder a quick smack on the lips and ran out with him following her.

Hardly anyone came down to the basement. No one was there to witness the game Scully had started. She turned the corner and leaned against the wall, waiting for Mulder. Hearing him coming toward her, Scully popped out in front of him, kissed his chin, and lightly punched him in the stomach. She was off and running before he could grab her.

"Can't get away from me, Scully!! I've got longer legs than you!!"

Her head start was losing ground when she made it to the office. Scully barely had time to hide behind his desk, laughing when he came charging in, closing and locking the door behind him.

"You're not going anywhere, Red..."

Mulder made a dash to his desk, trying to cut her off at each corner. Dana was just too short and quick for him. She was able to avoid his grabby hands. Finally he caught her from behind, pulling her in. They wrestled into his chair, laughing.

Dana's laughter was like music to Fox. He enjoyed the fact that he was making her happy and carefree. Not like the professional and all-business lady he had met so long ago and whom he would always love. These last few days, he had discovered the other Dana, the one he always knew was there. Sometimes it took awhile to get her to come out, but he loved the sheer joy of helping her emerge.

"You're a bad girl, Dana. You know what I'm going to do to you?"

"No, what?" She laughed, not minding Fox's silly talk.

"I'm going to call you 'Dana' in front of Skinner..."

Dana screamed with laughter, throwing her body back against his, ready for the challenge," Oh, yeah? You know what I'm going to do to you?"

"No, what?"

"I'm going to call you 'Fox' in front of the Lone Gunmen..."

"Aw, that's nothing..."

"OK, how about this... I'll kiss Frohike right in front of you..."

"NOOO!!"

"... With tongue!!"

"You better not!!" He started tickling her around the neck, his recent discovery of Dana's weak spot from the other night.

"No, Fox!! NO!!"

"Say you won't kiss Frohike!! Say it!!"

"OK!! OK!! I won't kiss Frohike..."

"Good..." He stopped tickling her.

"I'll kiss Langly instead!!"

"Why you..." he started tickling her again.

She was laughing so hard, that she couldn't breathe," OK!! OK!! I'll only kiss you!! I promise!!"

"Only me?"

"Only you..."

"Prove it..."

Dana repositioned herself on his lap, putting her hands on his cheeks. She kissed him so passionately that he felt his head spinning.

"Only you, Fox..." Dana said as she pulled away.

He looked down at her blouse and started playing with the first button that popped opened.

"OOPS!!" Fox took the second one that also popped opened, as did the third, the fourth... until her opened blouse revealed her beautiful silky skin. Her lovely breasts were held together by the lace bra which Fox unhooked from the front and pushed away from her chest. As Fox massaged one of her already hard nipples with his thumb, Dana's breathing became heavy, her eyes closed, her mouth open as she let out a gasp.

"F-Fox, no. We're in the office..."

The only answer he had for her was to take the nipple he was playing with into his mouth. He started sucking, pulling, licking, and lightly biting her. Dana threw her head back, reaching for his hair and raking her fingers through it. Fox wanted to stay where he was. She seemed to be enjoying it as much as he was. He then decided it was time to give Dana the kind of pleasure as she had given him these last few days.

Fox held on to her nipple, lightly pulling it back with him as he moved away from her breast. He pulled it as far as he could go, hoping to only cause a small amount of pain. He let go and it bounced back in place. Dana let out a squeal.

With his tongue, he licked between her breasts, moving up to her neck, across her gold chain, past the gold cross. Fox had the urge to put it in his mouth, but he didn't want to offend Dana's beliefs. He ran his tongue farther up onto her chin, biting and pulling the skin.

"That's enough," Dana whispered and took his hands, guiding them around her body. From the front to the back, circling around her chest, neck, and face, she licked his hands every time she guided them near her mouth. She set him free when he moved up her arms, and removed her bra, blouse and jacket in one swoop, tossing then aside into a pile of cases.

Fox gently guided her off his lap, felt from behind her waist and unzipped her skirt. He brought it down, bringing along her underwear and nylons. (What? No slip? Bad girl...) He let her stand there for a moment, enjoying the view of her beautiful body.

How many times had Fox fantasized of this? In the old office, before it was burned down, he had dreamed of taking her here. On his desk, away from anywhere in the office he had done it with Diana Fowley when they were together.

'Funny... 'He thought,' I wonder why we never did it on the desk?'

Thanks to the fire all of that was gone. None of the things Diana Fowley and Jeffrey Spender kept in the new office were here to remind him of anything. He made a mental note never to mention to Dana what he and Diana did besides investigating cases.

This was a way to reclaim what was rightly theirs, washing away the memories by doing it for the first time here.

They had been playing with each other these last few days.

Playtime was over.

Fox took his hand and rubbed her between her legs. She was already wet. As he slipped his fingers inside, caressing her whole, Dana wiggled under him, her whole body tightening and shaking. She reached out and grabbed his shoulders as the shockwaves surged through her body.

"Please, Fox... no more, no..."

He did not listen to her as his fingers continued moving in and out, reaching for that special spot.

"... no more..."

"What do you want?"

"You..."

He gently took his fingers out. Her smell was all over his fingers as his erection bulged in his pants. He brought his fingers to his mouth, smelling and licking her in.

"God, Dana, you taste so good..."

She took his hand and did the same thing," You're right, almost as good as you..." She bit his fingers, lightly.

Tired of the games, Dana reached over to his belt, removed it and smacked it against the desk, causing Fox to jump. When she ordered him to stand up, he quickly obeyed. The roughness of her voice added to his excitement. Dana, as well could not conceal her desire and rushed to remove his pants, pulling the zipper too quickly.

Fox let out a yelp of pain," Easy, Dana!!"

"Nothing is easy with you, Fox... next time, your pants come off first..."

"You mean there will be a next time...?"

"As soon as we do the first time..."

She eased the zipper down more carefully, pulling his boxers over his erect penis. Bringing both the pants and boxers down quickly, Dana took his hardened penis into her hand, rubbing it up and down with her thumb.

"I'm tired of these games, Fox..."

He answered her with a swoop of his arm across his desk. Pencils, pens, cases, and his favorite coffee mug went flying all over the place. He grabbed her and lifted her onto his desk, her legs spread wide, ready to take him in. Fox had planned to take Dana easily and slowly so he could enjoy the moment with her, but neither one of them could wait much longer.

Fox thrust into her deeply and Dana screamed out in pleasure. He moved in and out, rocking with each thrust. He grabbed her hair from the side as Dana gripped his neck, pulling him closer to her. The desk shook with each thrust. Any items left on the desk were knocked over by the movement or by the lovers as they wildly rode each other. Licking and kissing her face, Fox continued rocking and thrusting as he brought them both to climax. When he could not hold on any longer, he let himself come inside of her. His whole body shook. His eyes rolled back, and his mouth hung open as he tried to scream her name. From afar, he could hear her calling him. "Fox!! Fox!! Fox!!"

He collapsed on top of her, both resting, their sweat combining, their breathing almost matching. Fox was exhausted and wanted to sleep in Dana's arms.

Not knowing how much time had passed, Dana lightly tapped Fox on his shoulder, signaling she wanted to get up. He did not want to leave her, but did as she asked. Sliding out of her, he fell back into his chair.

Still laying on her back, Dana felt her whole body sing. She had never felt this alive before with any other man, With Fox Mulder, not only did she find her equal in intelligence, love and devotion, but he had one hell of a dick that filled her to no end.

Dana sat up on the desk, wiping the sweat away from her face. She studied her Fox. He tilted the chair as far back as he could, his head tossed back, his mouth still open as he breathed through it.

She let out a silent laugh, when she noticed he was still wearing his shirt, tie and jacket. Below the shirt, where the buttons and holes met, his still throbbing and hardened penis saluted upwards.

Reality was returning and Dana looked around for her clothes.

"Fox, get dress! We still have to go to Vermont... Fox!!!"

"... ok, vermont... ok, gimme a minute, mommy..." He loved Dana, but Fox wished she would leave him alone for a while.

Quickly getting dressed, Dana realized that someone could find them. The building was full of people, too many witnesses. What the hell were they thinking?! Playing games was one thing, but to have sex in the office... Their first time... So mind-blowing... So... Dana should just turn in her reassignment papers to Skinner now!

The smell of sex was all over her. Dana wanted to go to the bathroom and wash up.

As she opened the door, Dana turned back to her lover," Fox!! Wake up and get dressed before someone comes down here!! I'm going to the bathroom. Be dressed and ready to go... Fox!!"

"ready... go... gotta ya..." He did not move from his seat.

Dana rolled her eyes up and walked out of the office, closing the door behind her.

The bathrooms were not far from the office. Scully was the only one who used the ladies' room. She first went into the stall to relieve herself.

Dana was angry for not being sensible about her actions. Playing games was one thing, but to have sex in the office was a big mistake. It didn't help that they were both so careless. Neither of them used any kind of protection.

Protection... Who was Dana kidding..?

Just as the events that occurred these last several months had left more questions than answers about the invasion of their world by alien beings she did not believe in, so, too, had the events left her with doubts about her own body.

She lived with the belief that everything had been taken from her. The children she could never have, and her only daughter, Emily were gone. Her body was an empty vessel, she believed for so long.

In Kansas, right after the dance, Dana had woken to find her pajama bottoms stained in blood. The discomfort of her body reminded her of her menstrual cycle.

Saying nothing to Mulder, Scully went against her better judgment and did not visit her doctor to find out the cause. The discharge had lasted no more than four days. Just like it was before... before the abduction.

Nothing had happened as three months passed, until Dana once more woke to find her pajama bottoms soiled. Her body ached with discomfort. Again, Dana refused to visit her doctor and suffered in silence. She even refused to give into her own theories, fearing what she hoped for would not be true.

Dana chose to live in denial.

A denial that now faced her as Dana Scully cried.

On their trip to Vermont, Mulder and Scully discussed the case with each other. Once in a while, Scully would think about how she found Mulder in the office when she returned from the bathroom.

When she woke him up, Fox whined the whole time she was cleaning and redressing him.

It always amazed her how an intelligent man, Oxford educated, would act like a two-year-old when he wasn't getting his way with her.

Dana had to drag him by the hand out of the office as he complained the whole way to the elevator and the ride up. When other agents entered the elevator, a few floors later, he shut up right away. When they drove away from the building and headed back to their apartments to pack, he started whining again. He was hungry, he was tired, he didn't want to go, and she was mean for making him go with her.

Rolling her eyes again as she kept on driving, Dana knew he would not shut up until they arrived at the airport. There would be too many people around for him to act childishly.

Once they started working on the case, it was easy for the two of them to slip back into their 'working' mode. Mulder and Scully proved themselves to be a team. But a new lesson was to be learned on this case: Not to take work related arguments personally.

When Scully would not agree with Mulder on his speculation, he stormed out of the motel room to continue the investigation without her.

Scully remained behind, stewing over the argument they had had, cursing his name to the heavens above. Scully needed to remind herself not to take the fight as a personal insult. She had to remember that this was a professional argument, and that she had many of these with Mulder over the years. Yet, in a matter of few days, things had changed for them. With new feelings being explored, any angry outburst could be read incorrectly by the heart. It took the mind to know the difference, and it was something she was going to have to work on.

After composing herself, Scully reviewed the material they had gathered since they had arrived. She was checking and rechecking any errors or items they might have missed when Scully came across some information that confirmed some of the things Mulder had brought up in their discussion. She immediately called him to share what she had found.

Once they exchanged ideas over the phone there was a moment of silence between them. Mulder spoke up first.

"Dana, I'm sorry I yelled at you. I didn't mean any of the things I said..."

"Fox, don't ever censor yourself because of me. The day you or I do that, we can never work as a team, either in our professional or personal lives. If things are to work out with us, we have to learn the difference. Believe me, I know that now."

"Uh, I know that we are working now, but can I still tell you that I love you?"

"You can tell me anytime, anyplace, except not inside or outside the FBI building..."

"Aww, Scullee..."

"I love you, Fox, I'll see you in awhile..."

A few Days Later: Evening

As soon as they had entered her apartment, Dana couldn't wait to take a shower and wash away the hours of work they had just put in. Neither could Fox, who was ready to jump into the shower with her.

"Best way to save money on your water bill, Dana..."

She smiled, and took his arm, pulling him in. With the sponge, Dana washed him all over, making him fresh like springtime.

"My turn," Fox took the sponge from her. Towering over her, he gave the sponge a tight squeeze, causing a large amount of water and soap to shower down on the back of her neck.

"Hey!!" She smacked him on the rump," Do it right or I'll kick you out of here!!"

"All right, all right..." He smiled as he lathered up the sponge with more soap. Starting at her face, Fox washed behind her ears and neck. He left small bubbles on the tip of her nose and Dana blew them away. Bending down to reach the lower part of her body, Fox took the sponge to her most private area. As he washed her, Fox stuck two fingers in, making her jump.

"Will you stop it??!! I want to get clean!!" Dana smacked him on the back of his shoulder, then gave him a dirty look, sticking her bottom lip out at him. She couldn't hold it, though, and started laughing.

"OK..." He gave her the hurt little boy look," ... but when I'm done, I'm going to show you some tricks I know that you'll need another shower for..."

"Tricks? Who taught you any tricks, I'd like to... no, never mind, I don't want to know."

"Why? Are you afraid of getting jealous?"

"Nooo, I hate to think that the only place you receive any education is from that video collection of yours..."

"Home education is the best. Next time, I'll bring some of my videos over..."

"Oh, I can't wait..."

Taking her by the shoulders, Fox guided Dana to turn around so he could wash her back. When she turned, Fox caught sight of her tattoo.

Fox had seen it a few times now, but it still fascinated him. He never said anything about it to Dana, but his fingers would trace its design whenever he saw at it. Once again, he placed his fingertips on the head of the snake, tracing along its body to the end of its tail. The tattoo itself he did not dislike, but the memory of its creation disturbed him.

Sensing the discomfort, Dana tried to turn to him, but he stopped her," No, I haven't washed your back, yet..."

With the sponge, he started washing her shoulder blades and all around her back until he came upon the tattoo again. As before, he circled the snake from the head to its tail, this time with the sponge.

"Did I ever tell you about a group called,'The Millennium', Dana?"

Feeling the warm splashes from the shower-head, Dana answered him," Yes, I do remember you mentioning them and I remember the material you gave me to read. Interesting group... I'm surprise we haven't encountered them, yet."

"Maybe, we never will... They use the snake design like your tattoo as a symbol or mascot, whatever you want to call it..."

Dana finally turned around, looking into his eyes," Fox, do you want me to get rid of the tattoo?"

"No... I like the tattoo... I just wish I could get rid of the memory..."

She looked at him. Sometimes Fox could be such a sad man. Holding on to things that needed to be let go. She didn't feel there was much for her to say. Lifting her eyebrows, Dana smiled at him," Hey, I thought you were going to show me some tricks..."

When they were done with their shower, Fox turned on the television as Dana went into the kitchen to make ice tea. Lying on the couch when she handed him his drink, Dana placed hers down on the coffee table as Fox grabbed her by the waist. Pulling her closer to him, he kissed her face all over.

"Six years, Dana, six years to make up for... You know what I'm going to do to you? I'm going to foul you up in every corner in this apartment and in mine as well..."

"You're such a romantic talker, Fox..."

"That's why the women love me..."

"You know that mothers don't count..."

"My mother doesn't love me..."

"Why do you say that?"

Fox was quiet for a moment, sorry now he had made the comment. He didn't want to make the evening a downer, but Dana waited for him to answer.

"I don't know I just do..."

"When was the last time you talked to her...?"

"I don't want to talk about this anymore, Dana, can we drop it?"

"OK..." She knew better than to push him. It was best to let him move at his own pace.

They were quiet for a while, watching the movie Fox had on. Dana's mind wandered, thinking of what had happened to her in the bathroom at work a few days ago.

Living in denial for the past few months, Dana could no longer hide her suspicions and hopes.

"Fox?"

He had just got into the movie and was enjoying it, (Gee, now she wants to talk...)," What, Dana?"

Lowering her head, Dana tried to put her thoughts together. She knew he would be upset with her, just as she was with herself.

"When we were in Kansas..." Dana suddenly saw the image of Sheila Fontaine kissing Fox square on the lips... she shook it off. It was distracting her from what she wanted to discuss," ... I had a period..."

"What..?!!" Fox brought his body up. His face showed his surprise and shock," A period... you were menstruating..? Are you sure..? What did your doctor tell you..? Why didn't you tell me this before..?!!"

"I have not seen my doctor..."

Hearing that shocked him, for Fox knew that Dana Scully was a person who treated any condition with seriousness. He couldn't get away from her nagging whenever he felt ill. For Dana not to go to the doctor left him speechless.

"... Just before Christmas, I had another one... I haven't had one since... I know I should see my doctor, but I'm afraid..."

"Afraid..? Dana, this is serious... you're bleeding... you could be..."

"And what if it might not be?! Maybe, Fox... it could be for one reason only..."

"Dana, you were tested..."

"... AND TESTS CAN BE WRONG!!!" Dana pulled away from him," If there is one thing I have learned by being with you, Fox... is that things aren't always as they seem... Yes, I was told I could not have children... that my ova were removed!! I lost everything... I lost Emily!! What if this is nothing but a lie? A lie to keep me in place... A lie not to give me any hope... a lie like everything else..."

"If it is a lie... then we need to find out the truth... Dana... you need to see your doctor... have tests run... just to be sure... Dana, I want it to be true..."

"... So do I..."

FBI Headquarters Parking Lot: The Next Day

Dana Scully pulled into her parking space.

She had dropped Fox Mulder off at his apartment before coming to work. She also stopped and picked up breakfast for them. Toast, oranges, bananas, grapefruit... she even gave in and bought Fox his favorite: an egg sandwich with cheese.

She was about to get out of her car, when a voice spoke to her," How did you get to work? The scenic route?"

Scully jumped and turned to face the voice. "Mulder!! You scared the wits out of me!! How did you beat me to work?"

"Hey, I don't take the long way, pretty lady," He puckered up for a kiss, but Scully pulled away, giving him the look.

"Mr. Mulder, I thought we had agreed not to do this here anymore..."

"Did I say that? You must have gotten it out of me during the flames of passion..." Mulder went over to the passenger side of the car, knocking at the window to be let in. He slid in, giving her that smile she always loved," I missed not coming in to work with you, today. How about you drive us out of this parking lot and we'll pretend we came to work together and drive back in."

"No way, buster, you had your chance. I told you I would wait for you..." Scully lifted the bag containing their breakfast and handed it to him," I bought you your favorite,'Clog My Arteries' sandwich..."

"Ooo, I love you, too, babe. Come on, Dana, could I have one kiss before we go in, please...?" He gave her the begging look with his hands folded together.

Scully shook her head," I just can't believe you. You never give up..."

"And you know I won't... Please, Danaaaa? I have already checked the parking lot, three times. It's just you and meee..."

Looking around for herself, Dana did not see anyone nearby, not even the parking attendants," OK, one kiss, but no tongue or sex!!"

"That's OK, we'll save that for the janitor's closet..."

They both looked around one more time then joined together in a kiss. This time, Dana broke the promise and stuck her tongue into Fox's mouth. The kiss brought their passion surging forward as it had done before. They wrapped their arms around each other, fighting with their tongues, pushing their lips tighter to each other. They would have kept on going until they both heard the knock on the glass.

Suddenly jumping at what they saw, Fox hit his head on the roof of the car, Dana's eyes nearly popped out.

Staring back at the two of them was AD Skinner. His face, as always, was hard as a rock and almost unreadable. His lips curled down, his eyes stared at them like stone.

"Agent Mulder, Agent Scully, I expect to see both of you in my office, immediately," He then walked away.

"Shit!! Shit!! Shit!!" Fox cursed at himself. "SHIT!!!"

"I told you, I told you, we shouldn't be doing this here!!" Scully got out of the car and slammed the door hard," Come on!! Let's just get this over with!!"

Scully wondered if she had enough warm clothes to survive in Alaska as she walked to the elevator with Mulder right behind her.

When they arrived to Skinner's office, they were sent in immediately. They didn't go to their basement office first to drop off their personal items, but instead they left their belongings in the waiting room with Skinner's secretary.

Already at his desk working, Skinner directed the two agents to their seats. He continued to do some work, making Mulder and Scully sweat a bit.

Scully prayed that Mulder would not make any hand-off remarks to Skinner. Mulder prayed (which was rare) he wouldn't make any hand-off remarks to Skinner.

Skinner finally lowered his pen as he looked at each of them. His face was still hard as a rock.

Mulder was rarely afraid of the man, but he was afraid for Scully that Skinner might do something to her. If anything happened to Dana, he would put up one hell of a fight for her.

Scully stared back at the AD, fearing for Mulder. If Skinner tried to do anything to him, she would put up one heck of a fight for Fox.

The stone man finally spoke.

"Agents, on the record, you are both aware of the Bureau's policy on relationships between their agents. It is an rule that is taken seriously, and reassignments will be enforced. Now, off the record, I would appreciate if you two would keep your personal lives away from the building, your office, your fieldwork, and your working hours. If your personal lives begin to affect your ability to perform your work assignments, then I will have no choice but to recommend reassignments. Do I make myself clear, Agents?"

"Yes, sir..." Mulder and Scully answered at the same time.

"Good, I expect your report from Vermont on my desk before the end of the day. That is all, Agents..."

They got up quickly as Scully thanked Skinner. They gathered up their stuff and headed to the elevator. Mulder behaved himself the rest of the day.

Skinner returned to his work, smiling. He always knew those two would one day admit their feelings for each other. These past few months, he had watched their relationship grow more strong and carefree, a team effort between them during the most difficult time of their careers.

He had noticed it right away last Monday, when he had them in his office. Agent Scully was glowing. Mulder was chipper. He trusted his words would have an effect on them.

Walter Skinner would keep an eye on them, and protect them as best as he could.

Dana's Apartment: Evening
Two Weeks Later

Resting in Fox Mulder's arms, Dana Scully was alive. The news from her stunned doctor had brought new meaning to her, a New Hope for the future.

What was once told to her was now proven to be a lie. Several tests were done over to confirm what Dana knew in her heart.

She was fertile. Though her cycle was irregular, medicine would correct it.

Dana could have children.

Most of all, she could have Fox's children. She had dreamed it so many times, but it was no longer a dream.

"This is what you want, Dana...?" Fox asked her.

"More than anything..."

The future held no certainties, but life still continued.

Dana Scully dreamed of the future that would be there for their children.

A Few Months Ago: Somewhere In The United States.

The metal implant in the back of her neck replied that the instructions were received.

It was only a matter of time before her system would be normal again.

With a flick of the switch, a man stepped out of the room and walked down an empty hallway...

Summary: Fox tries to come to terms with his relationship with his mother and the renewing relationship with Maggie Scully.

Saturday Morning: Fox's Apartment

Fox Mulder sat in his living room and stared at the telephone resting on the coffee table. It was time for him to make his weekly call to his mother.

He dreaded the phone call, but felt the need to stay in contact with her. He hoped that one day she would open up to him with the truth.

Fox did love his mother, but she made it so hard for him to care sometimes. He knew his feelings were wrong. She was all he had left of his family. His father was dead, his sister... whatever story he chose to believe in, remained missing.

He would be a lonely man if it were not for his beloved Dana Scully who filled the empty space in his heart.

Scully's unconditional love made the phone calls even harder to do. Why remain in touch with a woman who seemed to want nothing to do with him, when he could be with another whose love for him was unbound?

The Truth.

It always brought him back to her. His mother held the answers to the questions he had concerning his sister, Samantha, and who his father really was.

The events of the last few weeks caused him to miss his mother more. When the world seemed to be coming to an end, he had forgotten all about her. The chance of seeing his sister and being saved from the invasion, his desire to protect Dana Scully... and yes, even Diana Fowley came first before he even thought of his mother. Fox Mulder was ashamed of himself. He would have left his mother behind and denied her the chance of seeing her daughter again.

Though the invasion had been avoided, he could not stop the guilt he felt towards his mother.

Even knowing the Truth, he was uncertain. The stories that were told to him by the Englishman from the Consortium and by the Cigarette Smoking Man, himself, revealed different tales of his father's involvement in the Project. Credited Bill Mulder for things Fox believed were done by others. No truth could stand on its own.

There was the Truth that only his mother could tell him.

In the past, Fox had confronted her twice, but each time she had refused to answer him. It left him frustrated and distant from her.

Still, she was his mother.

Dialing her number, Fox was unsuccessful in reaching his mother. He always left a message with her answering service, but Fox didn't know if he would even recognize his mother's voice if she were to answer the calls herself.

He remembered his mother to be a woman who enjoyed the company of her friends. She would go places with them: dinner, movies, or travel to Europe. Paris was her favorite place.

Entertaining was one of Teena Mulder's favorite pastimes. She would involve her children in setting up the parties for her guests.

Fox, being labeled a clumsy child, was always pushed into the background once the guests arrived.

It was a strange thing to be called, since Fox was careful when it came to helping his mother get everything ready before the party was to start.

His mother's friends would fuss over Samantha. His dad would brag about how well she was doing in school.

Fox was doing well, too. Every report card, he brought home was straight A's. His father would expect nothing less. No low grades were allowed in the house. Most parents would be happy if their kids had a C average, but not his father. He kept the belt nearby to remind his son that he would not tolerate any poor report cards.

As Fox listened to the phone ring, he thought about one of his mother's parties, a memory that recently came back to him.

"You look thirsty there, young man," said the tall man.

"Thank you, sir," Fox took the cup gladly from him. He was thirsty and had tried to get his mother's attention to ask for a drink. The tall man must have notice Fox doing this before he approached him. He stood watching Fox drink the whole cup in almost one gulp.

"So, tell me, Fox, how are you doing in school?"

"I'm doing OK, sir," Fox answered. The tall man was the first person to ask him that, Fox gladly bragged about himself," I got all A's on my last report card."

"That's very good, you must be proud of yourself and you should be..." the tall man smiled at him.

Fox smiled back, but blushed from the tall man's praises. Not even his father ever told him he should be proud of himself.

"Do you play any sports, Fox?"

"I play baseball and basketball, but baseball's my favorite. I got a double hit last week at little league..."

The memory of that hit made Fox feel proud, but it didn't last long when he remembered he was tagged out on third. His out did not cost his team the game, but as far as his father was concerned, it did. He yelled at his son the whole drive home for being such a lousy player.

"Baseball is my favorite, too. I do like the Yankees, saw them play when I was about your age... A friend of mine once caught a ball that Babe Ruth hit..."

"Wow!! Really?" Fox knew all about Babe Ruth. He kept baseball cards and traded them with his friends.

"Yes, I wished I had caught the ball. My friend was very lucky," the tall man again smiled at Fox, who smiled back.

Fox liked the tall man. He was the first grown-up to pay any attention to him at the party. Suddenly the tall man turned his head to the right as he was being called over by Fox's father.

"I'm sorry, Fox, I have to go now, but it's been a pleasure talking with you," the tall man stuck his hand out to Fox, who took the man's hand and shook it.

"Bye, Sir..." Fox said as the tall man turned away from him.

The tall man took out a package of cigarettes and lit one as he walked over to Fox's father. Suddenly, Fox hated his father for taking away the one grown-up who treated him nicely.

Fox wished the tall man could have been his father instead of Bill Mulder.

Watching his father and the tall man walk out of the house, Fox tried to remember if he had ever seen the tall man before. His father had many friends, and they would come and go so often that their faces became a blur to Fox.

His thoughts were broken when his mother took him by the shoulder.

"Fox, were you talking to that man?" She pointed to the tall man who was standing near the back door.

"Yeah, I was..."

"Fox, I don't ever want you to talk to that man again, do you hear me?!"

Fox became angry. Now his mother was taking the tall man away from him, too," But, why? He was nice to me. He asked me about my grades and baseball..."

"Fox!! Do as I say, don't question me!!" She walked away from him. Leaving Fox to hate his mother, too, for taking away the only grown-up friend he had ever had.

Fox was sure of it. The events in his adult life had always involved this man. It bothered him that he might have a pleasant memory of the Devil.

A devil that might be his real father, a truth only his mother could tell.

His mother's phone finally answered but it was her answering service again. Fox left a message and hung up.

Margaret Scully nearly passed out from the most wonderful news her daughter, Dana, had ever told her.

Dana was now seeing Fox Mulder on a personal level, and it was serious. She thanked God over and over again for answering her prayers.

"MOM!!" Laughing on the phone, Dana was tickled pink by her mother's reaction," You make it sound like the Second Coming of Christ..."

"Dana, don't talk that way..."

"You're right, Mom, I'm sorry, but you sound so... oh, never mind. I'm so glad you're happy, Mom, believe me, I am..."

"Dana, how did it happen? You both are so... stubborn. I didn't think either of you would make the move..."

"Well, Mom, it's kind of embarrassing, but he let me call him 'Fox' and I couldn't help myself and kissed him when he was asleep..."

"Dana!! Did he wake up?"

"Yeah, that's what started everything and... Well, I have never been so happy. Mom, he is so wonderful! It's like seeing him in a whole new light, I mean, he is still the same Mulder, but he's so tender... I... it's everything I knew was there but with more... oh, I can't explain it, Mom... I really love him..."

"I'm so happy for you, sweetheart, I... that's it! You both are coming over here for dinner tonight. You don't have any plans, do you?"

"No, Mom, we've been staying at home. I'm sure, Fox would love to come over for dinner..."

"Oh, Dana, it's wonderful to hear you call him,'Fox'..."

Saturday Evening: Fox's Apartment

Coming out of his bedroom, dressed and ready to go, Fox was looking forward to seeing Mrs. Scully again.

He was very fond of Dana's mother and always enjoyed seeing her, although Fox never understood why Mrs. Scully cared for anyone like him. If it had not been for his involvement in Dana's life, so many tragedies would have never occurred in her family.

Fox was just about to walk out the door, when the phone rang. He rushed to answer it, expecting it to be Dana, wondering where he was.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Fox, this is your mother speaking..."

Oh, geez, she called back!!" Hi, Mom, how are you? I have been trying to get a hold of you, is everything OK?"

"I was just about to ask you the same question, you don't call that often..."

"Mom, please, I have been calling. I guess you haven't been getting my messages..."

"You could call more than once..."

"I'm sorry, Mom, but I figured you would call me back when you had the time..."

"Well, I'm not the one with a busy life, you know that, Fox..."

"I'm sorry, Mom, so how are you?"

"I am doing fine, dear, but your Great-Aunt Susan is not..."

Great-Aunt Susan? Fox thought she was dead already.

"That's sad to hear, Mom. What's wrong with her?"

"What's NOT wrong with her is the better question, Fox..."

His mother went through a laundry list of problems that were affecting the elderly woman. Fox half listened to the medical terms his mother was explaining. Somehow it was not the same as Dana talked scientifically. It always sounded like poetry when she spoke.

"... the doctor said she could go at anytime and she has been asking for you, Fox. She does remember you..."

"She does?" Now he felt guilty. He had put Great-Aunt Susan in her grave already.

"... But she thinks you're a small child... and is asking for her 'little Fox'."

"That's great, Mom, you did tell her how old I am now?"

"It doesn't matter to her, she would like to see you..."

(Oh, no, here it comes...)

"I think it would be nice of you to come and visit her. You can fly to Boston tonight and see her in the morning...."

"I'm sorry, Mom, I can't make it, tonight, I have plans... I can come out tomorrow afternoon..."

"She might be dead by tomorrow afternoon. Can't you cancel your plans for tonight?"

"I'm sorry. I can't. I'm running late already..."

"Fine, then, don't bother coming at all!!" She hung up the phone hard on his ear. Fox had to back away from the receiver.

Great. Just great. Now she had another reason to hate him.

It wasn't that Fox didn't want to see his great-aunt. He knew he could make it out there by tomorrow afternoon. But he really wanted to see Mrs. Scully. He preferred to spend the evening with the ones he cared about, instead of theold horses of his mother's family that would stand and pass judgment on him. Fox could imagine the old sourpuss women surrounding Great-Aunt Susan's bed, counting the minutes to when the poor old lady would finally pass away.

As he drove over to Dana's place, Fox remembered Great-Aunt Susan clearly. She was already old when he was little. Her face was kind and sweet to him. He remembered his cousins being afraid of her and how she would trade them treats for a kiss.

None of the children would take her up on the offer, except for Fox. He loved sweets and unlike his cousins, he was not afraid of the old lady. He would pucker up, kiss her right on the lips and walk away with the biggest cookie in the batch. Fox would repeat the stunt a few times before his mother got wise to him and put a stop to it.

They didn't see Great-Aunt Susan too often, thanks to his father, who hated everyone in his mother's family. Fox liked his mother's family better than his father's. No one yelled or fought at his mother's, unlike at his father's where there was always the chance that someone could end up getting hurt.

Unfortunately now, Fox was the black sheep in his mother's family. He was a Mulder. What could anyone expect from him? Everyone believed it was his fault that Samantha was kidnaped. He was no good as far as the old sourpuss women of the family felt (Fuck them all...).

When he pulled up to Dana's apartment, Fox decided he would still go and visit his great-aunt tomorrow afternoon. He would contact one of his cousins who were still speaking to him, and find out where she was.

As they drove to her mother's house, Fox let Dana in on his plans.

"I don't see why we can't fly out tonight and visit your aunt in the morning," Dana said. From what Fox had told her about the woman's condition, she could live for another two weeks. Still, it was best not to take a chance.

"You mean,'We'? You want to come with me?"

"Sure, I would love to meet your family, Fox, and to see your mother again. Maybe this time she and I could talk..." Dana had met Fox's mother three times in the past, but only under the most unfortunate of circumstances.

Dana really wanted to make friends with Mrs. Mulder. It meant a lot to her.

Margaret Scully's Home

Maggie Scully literally pulled Fox down to the ground to give him a bear hug by his neck. She was so thrilled to see him, kissing both his cheeks. She let him go but Fox returned and kissed her cheeks.

"Hi, Mrs. Scully, you wanna try that again?"

"Oh, no, you don't, Fox. You are to call me 'Mom' for now on. I will not answer to Mrs. Scully anymore from you..."

Fox pulled back in surprised. He wasn't expecting that request from Dana's mother. Not that the idea of addressing her as 'Mom' seemed so bad. It made him realize how much he really missed calling someone 'Mom'.

"OK, Mom, what's for dinner, Mom? I'm really hungry, Mom!"

Maggie playfully gave him a light smack on the shoulder.

"All right, you two, knock it off... Hi, Mom," Dana hugged her mother. Fox turned to Dana expecting a hug, but she smacked him on the other shoulder instead.

"Gee, you ladies are rough..."

The spread on the dining room table made Fox's mouth water. He had never seen so much food for just three people. Mrs. Scu... Mom had really gone out of her way.

There were two roasted chickens with orange sauce already sliced, two different kinds of potatoes, three serving of vegetables, homemade biscuits, and a large pitcher of ice tea in the middle of the table.

'I've died and gone to food heaven,' Fox thought, thinking of the almost empty refrigerator at home. If he recalled rightly, the breakfast he bought at the all-night diner was still in there.

"Oh, Mom, this is too much! You really out did yourself," Dana spoke.

Fox shot a look at her. He didn't want Maggie to think he wouldn't like meals like this again, but Dana did not catch Fox's face. Her mother didn't take her words seriously, though, but instead took them as a compliment.

"Oh, Dana, it's nothing. I'm sure Fox here can find a spot for all of this," Maggie patted his stomach.

"Just tell me when I can start..." Fox grinned.

From the moment they sat down at the table, Fox did not once serve himself. Before he could reach for anything, either Dana or her mother would handle it for him. Filling his plate with each dish, making sure his glass had enough ice for his tea and that his biscuits were covered with lots of butter and honey.

Any minute now, Fox expected one of them to put a bib on him and start to feed him his food.

Just as they were about to eat, Mom reminded them they needed to say grace, but stopped herself," Fox, you don't mind, do you?" Despite his broad mind on alien life and things that would go bump in the night, Maggie knew Fox had very little belief in the Good Lord.

"No, I don't mind at all," If there was a God out there, he sincerely was looking out for him. Fox was thankful for that at least.

As they were enjoying their meal, the conversation led, of course, to Fox and Dana's relationship. Maggie insisted on knowing how they were handling it, and if there were any problems at work because of it. They didn't mention the fooling around Fox and Dana, but everything was working out well at the Headquarters.

"As long as I don't kiss her in front of anyone, no one is the wiser..." Fox grinned at Maggie.

Dana rolled her eyes up. Fox did behave himself for a few days after Skinner's meeting with them, trying to keep their relationship hushed. It wasn't long, though, before Fox couldn't resist trying to get a kiss from her whenever they were in their office. So far the ripping of the clothes had not happened again.

Maggie made a point to stay away from the subject of marriage and children. She decided that it was enough they were together, and children.

Dana had decided to wait before telling her mother about the wonderful news. Even with all the tests coming back positive, Dana chose to move with caution, and not give in to too much hope.

As the dinner went on, Dana was the one to mention Fox's great-aunt," I guess we can forget about flying out tonight, Fox. It would be better to go tomorrow morning."

"That's fine with me," Fox said as he stuffed one more piece of chicken into his mouth. He did care about his aunt, but ending the evening too soon with Maggie Scully was not to his liking.

Fox had forgotten the pleasure of sharing a meal within a family structure. Not that there were many happy times around the Mulders' dinner table. It was enough that he missed it. Dana was the only one Fox had shared his meals with these past few years. Seeing it now extending to include Maggie Scully, made Fox feel at home.

"Fox, you should have gone earlier, it would have been no problem canceling dinner with me, family comes first..." Maggie informed him.

"But you are my family..." Damn, that slip! He meant to keep that to himself. Maggie smiled at him. She had some understanding of his family background, and thought it was amazing Fox was still a wonderful person.

"Anyway, I'm not well liked by my Mom's family, they believe it was my fault for Sam disappearence..." Shit, couldn't he keep his mouth shut!!

Maggie reached over and patted his hand. Fox smiled back at her. Seeing that he wanted to change the subject, Maggie changed it for him," Fox, do you want some more tea...?"

The evening ended with them in the living room eating their dessert as they went through the family albums. Fox couldn't stop teasing Dana about the clothing she and her sister Melissa wore during the seventies.

One picture sent him into a laughing fit. It was of Dana at thirteen. Her hair so long it almost reached her behind.

"Gee, Dana, you could have wiped your butt with her hair..." Fox laughed.

Dana smacked him hard on his thigh for the cruel remark, and for saying it in front of her mother.

"Dana, remember when you got your hair caught in the car door and Billy almost drove away with you, hanging on for dear life..." Her mother brought up.

"Who could forget?! I had Melissa cut if off as soon as I got free of the car door. That was the last time I acted like a rebel with my hair..."

"I don't know, Dana, what about that Farrah Fawcett haircut? Now that's being a rebel..." Fox started laughing again.

"YOU!! You just wait until tomorrow!! I'll get your mother to pull out every shot of you, and we'll see who has the last laugh..."

When the evening came to an end, Maggie loaded them both up with leftovers. It was a surprise anything was left the way Fox had eaten.

Giving him a kiss, Maggie brought Fox's face closer to hers as she held his cheeks," Fox, if there is any time you just want to call or visit, you know that you are always welcome. Don't forget that," she reminded him again.

"Thanks, Mom, I appreciate that..." He bent over and kissed her cheek.

As they drove away, Fox noticed the stars. They were clear and beautiful. He knew it was too late to make a wish, but he did it anyway.

Fox wished his mother could be more like Margaret Scully.

Sunday: Fox's Apartment

The next morning, Fox managed to get a hold of his cousin, Mandy. She was a big help in providing the information he needed before going to Boston.

"It's great to hear from you, Fox. We need to get together while you're out here..."

"That sounds great, Mandy... Let see... We'll need to leave Boston around six tonight, so I'm sure it won't be a problem for Dana and me to meet you somewhere..."

"Dana? Is that your partner from the FBI? I have heard so much about her..."

"From whom?"

"Your mother..."

"Well, whatever she told you, it's not true..."

On Flight

Fox Mulder fidgeted the whole time they were traveling to Boston.

On the flight, he managed to finish off a large bag of sunflower seeds. Dana noticed he didn't crack open any of the seeds. Instead, he sucked the life out of them, spit the remains into a cup, and moved on to the next one. She had seen him do this many times, but never like this. Whatever awaited in Boston was making him a nervous wreak.

Unable to get more sunflower seeds from the flight attendant, Fox started to pull on his bottom lip. Dana worried he might rip his lip right off, so she brought up the case he had been reviewing before the weekend had started.

A few weeks ago, Fox would have spent his weekends in the office, but now he used his free time to be with Dana. It didn't seem to affect his work ability. He just dug harder during the week.

While they talked, Dana studied Fox as he repositioned himself several times in his chair, shuffling his feet around. He would return to his bottom lip, his thumb gliding across it. When the flight attendant brought more drinks, he kept the straw in his mouth, biting down hard on it, twisting it around.

Dana wondered if he had ever smoked? Once a smoker herself, she had given up the habit right after she had seen the lungs of a dead smoker. She had almost picked up the habit again, when they were investigating the case in Comity, a few years ago.

"Fox?"

"Huh?" he asked right through the straw.

"When was the last time you saw your mother's family?"

"... Uh, when was the last time Michael Jackson had a normal nose?"

"That long...?" Good Lord, no wonder he was nervous!" Well, it's nice of you to want to see your aunt..."

"Yeah, Great-Aunt Susan was a really nice lady..." Fox felt guilty for not leaving last night to see his aunt, but he really enjoyed his evening with the Scully ladies.

Fox started telling Dana about the treat for a kiss thing his aunt loved to do with him and his cousins. He bragged about how he was the only one who would do it, and how he would do it several times before his mother put a stop to it. Dana smiled, and imagined how cute he must have been when he was doing it. No wonder the poor old lady remembered him.

One of the things, Dana hoped to accomplish while they were there was to make friends with Fox's mother. Here was the one person who could share tales of Fox's childhood with her.

Maybe Dana could convince her to let her have some photos of Fox as a child. The photographs he owned were not the most cheerful ones. He seemed to have chosen the ones where he looked all depressed, except for the ones he had of himself with his sister, Samantha. There had to have been a few happy moments in Fox's childhood. It was hard for Dana to imagine a person not being able to enjoy their youth. There were many individuals like her Fox. Some even had it worse.

"My mom told me not to come..." Fox said out of the blue," ... when I told her last night I had plans and would come out today, she told me not to bother coming at all. I really made her mad, Dana. You know, I call her once a week, but I only ever get her answering service..."

"Don't worry, Fox. I'm sure she'll be happy to see you once we get there..." Dana took his hand and squeezed it.

Dana wished he had mentioned all of this before. Now she had to deal with a Mrs. Mulder who might not be at all happy to see her son and her.

Massachusetts General Hospital

"You'll need to make a left here, Dana..." Fox pointed out the direction for her as he studied the road map.

Getting out of the airport took longer than they both expected, but finding the hospital turned out to be much easier. Fox tried several times to call his mother on his cell phone. His cousin Mandy told him that she was staying at her mother's house, and gave him the number to reach her.

It was the afternoon when Dana pulled into the parking lot of the hospital. They were searching for a place to park when Fox caught sight of his mother and two other ladies coming into the parking lot.

"Dana, stop the car, there's my mother..." Fox hopped out of the car and suggested Dana find a parking space while he talked to his mother about his great-aunt's condition.

The three ladies were about to enter their car when Fox caught up to them.

"MOM!!" He waved to her to get her attention. All three women stared at him.

Their faces were grim and menacing when they saw who was calling to them. There was also a bit of sadness in his mother's eyes when Fox stood in front of her. He was actually glad to see her, and when he tried to hug her, she pulled away.

"What are you doing here? I told you not to come..."

"I wanted to come, I never said I didn't, I just couldn't make it out last night..."

"Well, you're too late, your aunt's dead, so you might as well go home..."

Fox was stunned," When did she die?"

"What do you care...?" His mother walked passed him, her eyes filled with tears that were coming down.

"Mom, that's not true, I do care..." He moved up to her side, trying to catch her eye.

"You care about nothing but yourself. You always have! Selfish! I never knew I raised such a selfish son!!"

Fox stood there dumbfounded. As his mother walked past him again, he noticed the two other ladies with her. Their faces had aged, but he recognized them right away. They were his mother's first cousins, part of the sourpuss Gang. Hazel and Ruth, their names popped into his head. He didn't bother greeting them. The look they were giving him was enough for him to take. Fox turned back to his mother when she slid into the back seat of the car.

"Mom, please..." He grabbed hold of the door.

"Go away!! I don't want you here!! Haven't you done enough?!! You broke a dead woman's heart!! You could not make an effort to be here for your family!! You are selfish!! The sight of you sickens me!!"

She slammed the door and locked it. Fox was unsure of what to do. He stood there as the two other ladies entered the front part of the car. Starting it up, they drove away, leaving Fox stunned and alone.

Lowering his head, Fox could not stop the anger he felt, or the pain in his heart. He had done it again to his mother. He had failed her once more. Now he had a dead woman to add to his guilt.

He wanted out of here. He wanted to go home.

He did not notice Dana walking up to him. Seeing his mother's car leaving, Dana took his arm, feeling the tension in it. She had seen that look of sheer misery on his face before.

"Fox, what happened?"

"My aunt is dead..." he said in a whisper.

"Oh, no!! Fox, I'm so sorry..." She hugged him but he did not respond.

"Let's get out of here... I want to go home..." Fox shuffled his feet, nervously.

"But, Fox, your cousin Mandy, we're supp..."

"I WANT TO GO Home!!!"

He screamed so loudly that his voice echoed throughout the parking lot. Quickly turning his head away from Dana, Fox fought the tears that were ready to fall. He would not cry. Not now, not until he was safe at home.

"OK, Fox, we'll go home..." Dana held onto his arm, leading him back to the car. Fox refused to look at her. He knew once their eyes met, he would not be able to hold back his tears. He would not cry here. Not in the same state as his mother.

They managed to get a flight out within an hour of their return to the airport.

Fox remained silent. Dana knew better than to question him. It was best to wait until he felt safe. She knew it was more than just his aunt's death that had him in this condition. Whatever had happened between him and his mother was upsetting him, too, and she would have to wait for the answers.

Dana understood Fox's need to hold his emotions inside. She was as guilty as he was for holding back hurt feelings. It would be a few hours before they would be home. She worried how much this was eating at his insides.

While on flight, Fox continued to be silent. He didn't fidget the way he had on the flight in. Instead, he remained still, looking out the window and doing his best not to make eye contact with Dana. She would ask him simple questions, if he was hungry or thirsty. He would answer yes or no, without turning his head to face her.

When they finally arrived at Dana's apartment building, Fox jumped out of the car before Dana had a chance to stop it. He quickly headed to her apartment, pulling out his own set of keys to let himself in. Once inside, he felt a great weight lift off his shoulder. Letting out a sigh, the warmth of Dana's apartment brought comfort for him.

Dana followed a few feet behind him, closing the door as he stood with his back to her.

She went up to him, touching his shoulders," Fox...?"

He turned to her, and the mask he wore throughout the trip cracked. His face was filled with pain. Fox let out a terrible sound from his throat as he wrapped his arms around Dana. Losing the strength in his legs, he slid down to his knees, burying his face in her stomach. Dana took her arms and gently pulled him closer to her, brushing his hair with her fingers. She brought her face closer as she whispered reassuring words to him while the flood of tears poured out of him.

"Why does she hate me?" Fox asked Dana as he rested his head on her lap. His crying fit had exhausted him. His eyes hurt him. His throat ached, and only sleep would cure his tired body. His heart would hurt for some time.

Dana was still brushing his hair with her fingers. She had been humming to him, hoping to help him sleep.

"I don't know, Fox, I wish I had an answer for you..." Dana was being honest. There was no reason to make any excuses for his mother.

Dana continued to hum to Fox, until he finally gave into sleep.

The Following Saturday

Fox Mulder sat in his living room, staring at the phone that rested on his coffee table.

This was the day he would make his weekly call to his mother. He debated whether to do it or not.

The last few days had been hellish for him. If it wasn't for Dana, he probably would have jumped out of the window just to make the pain go away. He had woken up twice during the week from nightmares, screaming for his mother. Dana had been there for him, helping him as best as she could.

Despite the warmth of Dana's arms, there was a part of Fox who wished for his mother to comfort him.

Fox kept himself busy at work doing whatever he could do to keep his mind off his mother and the guilt he felt for his great-aunt. Only at home did he talk about his feelings with Dana, who tried to help him through the crises of his heart.

Dana.

Fox was so grateful for her. He knew his world would have come to an end if it weren't for his beloved.

This morning, Dana was worried, but let him go when he no had decided he needed to go to his apartment for a few hours to be alone. He planned to clean out the fish tank and do other chores he had been avoiding for too long.

When he finished his work around the apartment, Fox stared at the telephone thinking of the call he could make this day.

At first, he was angry with himself. The bitch didn't deserve him. Fox looked around for more things to do, but he kept coming back to the phone.

He wanted to call her.

He wanted to make peace and make everything right with her.

He wanted his mother.

Finally giving in, Fox dialed her number.

He wondered why he never programmed her number onto his phone? Perhaps making himself dial each number prolonged the hurt that he was expecting.

The phone rang for a few times before her answering service picked up. Fox swallowed his hurt and tried to hold his tears as he left the message that he was her son calling to say hello.

When he placed the receiver down, Fox covered his eyes with his hands, rested on his elbows on his knees and cried.

He had no one left in his family who wanted him.

He felt alone and lost.

When he finished crying, Fox looked at the phone again. Reaching for it once more this time hitting the number that was programmed in after Dana's. It rang for a moment.

"Scully residence, this is Margaret speaking..."

"Hi, Mom, this is Fox..."

She could not believe he called.

She would have never expected it.

Her son still astonished her.

Even when he was a baby, he always amazed her.

She loved her only son so much, but to reveal these feelings could destroy everything.

Her boy was close to discovering the truth she and her husband, Bill, had hidden for so long. She was trapped in a web she could not escape from, and didn't want Fox to be caught in it, too.

The worst was that he knew she held the answers he was looking for.

He even knew about his father.

How? How did he figure it out?

Her Fox was such a bright boy.

She lifted the photograph of her son when he was two years old, smiling at it before taking a sip of her drink.

Before the death of her aunt, Teena Mulder was reluctant to call her son.

Seeing him again was difficult, especially after the last time she had seen him. He had demanded answers to his questions she dare not give. He was so determined it frightened her. If his forehead hadn't started bleeding, she would have never been able to get away. Her baby was just too smart.

He had started calling her once a week, leaving messages with her answering service. He only called to say hello, but she would never return his calls. It would have been too much for her. He would remember her on her birthday and Mother's day by sending flowers. She still sent him a card for his birthday.

She could have kept the distance until her death if it wasn't for her ninety-eight-year-old aunt. She was dying and demanded to see Fox.

"Where is my baby Fox? I have a treat for him..." She would speak in her delirious mind.

They tried to use one of the younger children in the family to fool her but the old witch saw right through it.

"I want my little Fox!! Where is my baby Fox?!! Auntie wants to give him a treat!! Where is my Fox?!!"

She had driven everyone insane, leaving Teena Mulder with no choice but to call him.

She had already received his weekly call from him. She did hope he wasn't home but he was. She kept her voice distant and was relieved when he said he could not leave that night because of previous plans.

She hung up the phone quickly before her emotions could get the best of her. Teena wanted to tell her son how much she loved and missed him, but she couldn't let him get so close.

Auntie Susan died without seeing her little Fox.

Teena felt a great sadness for the loss of her aunt, but was relieved she didn't have to be involved with Fox.

Then he showed up, two hours after Auntie had died. He ran up to her in the parking lot of the hospital, and she forced herself not to take his hug she wanted so much.

With her own grief for support, and the support of her two cousins who believed that Fox wronged the family by not showing respect to their aunt, it was easy for her to say those things to him. She knew she was hurting him, as well as herself. She never meant a word of it.

She hoped that this would keep him away for a good long time.

Today, she received his phone call as she did every week.

Her son was not a quitter, even when it came to her.

Such a good son, but she must continue to push him away.

As much as it tore at her heart, Teena Mulder would continue to keep her son away from the Truth.

Summary: Dana and her mother must deal with Bill Jr's hatred for Fox.

Saturday: Naval Base, San Diego

U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander William Scully, Jr. marched into his home, with great news for his wife.

"Guess what, Sweetcheeks?" He kissed his wife as he flagged a piece of paper in his hand.

"If those are divorce papers, I'll get the champagne..." His wife, Tara teased.

"Ah, Sweetcheeks... Two weeks vacation granted, in one week! See... I told you I would be able to get it. It helps knowing how to pull the right strings... One week at your folks and one week at my mom's..."

"Oh, Bill, that's wonderful!!" Tara hugged him tight and kissed him again," Wait until I tell my parents, they have been dying for us to visit..."

"Yeah, I'll call my mom right, now," Bill looked at the clock on the wall in the kitchen to notice the time. it was now the afternoon where his mother lived.

Bill Scully, Jr. smiled. He never liked the idea that he lived so far from his widow mother and young sister Dana, who were alone with no family man around them. His brother Charles also lived out of state, not close enough for Bill to be comfortable with. He had been trying to get a transfer to the East Coast to be nearer to them, but that was harder to accomplish than a two-week vacation.

Still, Bill was glad they were going. He needed to be sure they were all right and their affairs were being handled.

He also needed to be sure that Dana was doing fine. He worried more about her because of that 'sorry son of a bitch' partner of hers, whom she worked within the FBI.

Fuming at the thought of that bastard, Bill pressed his tight.

If he had it his way, Fox Mulder would be chewing his meals from his ass.

Saturday: Margaret Scully's Backyard.

Both he and Dana Scully offered to help her mother plant a garden that brought back pleasant memories to Fox of him and his sister when they were growing up and searching for buried treasure around their parents' Summer home.

As he did a visual examination of the rock he held, Fox removed one of the working gloves he had on, to allow him to feel the texture of the material. It was small, hard and dried. Fox figured this was not a rock, but more like dry mud.

"GEEZ!!" He threw it away quickly and shook his hand with disgust," FUCK!!" Fox cursed as he looked for the water hose with Dana laughing at him the whole time.

"Who said that word?" Maggie Scully called from the tool shed.

"Fox did, Mom, he didn't know he was holding fecal!!" Dana still was laughing when she answered her mother.

"That darn cat!! I always catch him back here..." Mom replied.

Shutting off the water hose, Fox shook his wet hand, still with disgust," I'm going inside to wash my hand..." He walked toward the house with his hand away from his body.

After giving his hand several hot washing, Fox was heading back outside when the phone rang in the kitchen.

"I"LL GET IT!!" He shouted to the ladies outside." Scully residence..."

Bill Scully pulled his head back when he heard the man's voice on his mother's phone, but he snapped right back in place," Who the hell is this?!!"

"This is Fox Mulder, who the hell are you?" was the reply Bill received.

"YOU SORRY SON of A BITCH!! WHAT The HELL ARE YOU DOING IN MY MOTHER's Home?!!"

"Oh, hi, Bill, let me get your mother for you..."

As Bill waited on the other end of the line, streaming up a storm, what he heard next was about to create a hurricane.

"MOM!! It's for you!!" " Who is it, Fox?" " Your son, Bill..." " Thank you, dear heart..." " No problem, Mom..."

"Hello, Son..."

"Why is that sorry excuse for a human being calling you 'Mom' for?!! Doesn't he have his own mother?!!"

"Why, hello to you too, Bill..."

Returning to the backyard, Fox joined Dana who was digging holes for the flowers.

"Who's that on the phone, Fox?"

"Your big brother, Bill..."

Fox stretched out on the lounge chair and felt his sore muscles ached.

Having done his best to keep himself in shape, being in a bent position was more then his body could take.

Watching the sunset behind the houses and trees of the neighborhood, Fox couldn't think of the last time that he did something that was so... normal.

The smell of the grill caused his stomach to growl. Fox watched Dana and her mother as they busied themselves making dinner. He wanted to help but Mom would not let him. Still feeling uncomfortable, when they pampered him, Fox had shared a few meals at Mother Scully's house and not once did he ever have to do anything. Each time, Fox wanted to stop them, but they seemed to enjoy taking care of him.

Figuring that one day they would come to their senses, Fox decided to let them be.

"Hey, want some more tea?" Dana showed him the pitcher filled with iced tea.

"Nah, I'm fine. Thanks, anyway..." Fox showed her his glass that was still full.

Dana placed the pitcher back on the table, and patted Fox's side to move over so she could sit next to him. Fox moaned as he shuffled over.

"Looks like you're going to need a massage tonight..." Dana touched his shoulder and pressed it. Her other hand massaged his exposed thigh.

'God, he looks so cute in shorts... 'Dana thought to herself as she pressed his thigh higher.

"Not here..." Fox said in a low voice and pointed toward Mom with his eyes.

"It's not like I'm going to pull your shorts down..." Dana took her hands off his body and crossed her arms over her stomach.

She turned to look at her mother, while Fox admired her beauty. The setting sun radiated a halo around her lovely red hair.

Letting out a sigh, Fox thought how close he came to losing his little redhead the other day

A suspect they had cornered in an empty building was armed and ready to kill. Mulder circled one side as Scully took the other. When he heard the gun shots, he rushed to the sound, and found Scully pinned to the ground trying to protect herself from the gunman. She had very little coverage and made her an easy target.

Directing his eyes to where she was shooting, Mulder caught sight of the suspect. He yelled out a warning but the gunman refused to obey, aimed his weapon at Mulder, who in turn shot the suspect dead.

Fox had trouble that night as played and replayed the scene in his mind. If he had been a few seconds late, Dana would be dead.

Dana was with him that night at his apartment and every time she got up and moved away from him, he demanded to know where she was going. He had done it a few times until Dana put a stop to it.

"Damn it, Fox!! Will you stop this? He didn't shoot me, stop acting like he did!!"

"... But he could have..."

"... But he didn't, stop tormenting yourself... look at me..." Dana took his hand, and guided him to touch each part of her body," See, Fox, he didn't harm me. Please stop thinking of what might have happened because it didn't..."

"I'm sorry... it's just how I am..."

"Did you do this to yourself every time...?" Dana looked at him in the eyes.

"Every time... I just didn't say anything..."

"You said a lot! Your mouth stayed shut but your body said it all. Sometimes, you drove me crazy..." Dana brought his hand up to her cheek," I worry, too, Fox. I think I drove myself crazier than you... I'm all right, please, stop punishing yourself, or I'm going to have to strangle you..."

It was another thing for them to work on, Fox wasn't sure if he could even move on from it. He had always been a worrier and punished himself even when everything came out for the best.

Fox glanced over to where Mother Scully was as she stood over the grill. Flipping the chicken over, Fox could see, even with her keeping herself busy the pain from the fight she had with her son, Bill on the telephone.

The fight was about him.

Fox brought his head down. Feeling again the guilt of knowing he was the cause of the rip between mother and son.

Besides, hearing Bill's voice and being called, a 'sorry Son of a Bitch' again, was more than Fox could take. He felt the urge to fight with Bill, but out of respect for Mother Scully, he held his tongue.

He started helping Dana dig more holes in the ground, when they both heard Magggie scream out. Dana rushed in with Fox right behind her.

".... how dare you talk to me this way?!! I'm ashamed of you!!!" Maggie shouted into the phone.

It was not hard to hear what Bill said right back. Both mother and daughter gasped as Fox swung his head to the side out of anger. He turned back to take the receiver away from Maggie, but Dana who was standing closer to her, grabbed it from her crying mother.

"LISTEN TO ME, YOU BASTARD!! WHO ARE YOU TO MAKE THOSE THREATS?!! THIS IS YOUR MOTH... WHO IS THIS?!! Tara? Put your husband back on the line. NO one talks to my mother that way and NO one insults my Fox!! No, I will not hang up!! YOU WANT ME OFF The LINE YOU BETTER HANG UP The PHONE YOURSELF!! Hello..? She hung up..." Dana put the receiver back in its place," Oh, Mom..." She hugged her crying mother and whispered reassuring words to her as Fox stood nearby fuming at Bill Scully, Jr.

"Mom, need any help?" Fox asked out of concern. She had been so quiet since the phone call that both he and Dana tried to make things easier for her.

No, Fox, I'm fine. You two relax, you both worked so hard today..."

Dana got up from the lounge chair she was sharing with Fox," Here, Mom, let me finish dinner... Go sit down..."

"Dana, please, I can handle it..."

"Mom..." Dana took the utensil away from her, and pointed to the other lounge chair near Fox.

Giving in, Maggie walked over and slowly sat down. She watched Dana at the grill with her face sad and silent.

Fox reached for her hand," I'm sorry, this is all my fault..."

"Fox, this is not your fault, it never was. I thought I knew my son... I never... I never imagine he could be so cruel... so heartless. I don't know what I'm going to do...?"

"You do nothing and just hope for the best. He's not angry at you, but at me. I don't blame him for what he thinks of me. I don't go a day without thinking of what I put Dana through... It eats me up."

Fox glanced over to Dana at the grill. She was not looking at them but he was sure she could hear everything they were saying.

"I can't imagine my life without her and I know she would kill me if I asked her to stop. Bill is worried about his family. He cares very much for you, all of you. He doesn't care for threats. I'm a threat. He's handling me the way he thinks he should but he doesn't see what he is doing to you. He only sees me... and he'll do everything he can to get rid of me, even if it means hurting the ones he is trying to protect..."

"You're not going anywhere, Fox..."

"I don't plan to..."

"Good, I know what you are saying, dear. Bill must one day accept how things are, if we are ever to be a family again... but if not, I still have Dana, Charlie ... and you..."

Bill Scully, Jr. was beyond mad. The rage he threw on the phone with his mother had worn him out. If his wife Tara had not taken the phone from him, he would have ripped it completely off the wall.

He did not hear anything Tara told his mother, all he could think about was Mulder. That 'sorry son of a bitch' was with his sister. HIS SISTER!! It wasn't enough that he heard the son of a bitch call his mother,'Mom' and to be inside of her home. When his mother informed him of Dana's new relationship with the son of a bitch, it was as if someone punched his dick out.

"What do you mean they're together?!!" Bill replayed the conversation in his head.

"Bill, you are making a fool of yourself. Dana and Fox are in love, can't you be happy for your sister...?"

"Is he sleeping with her?!! Is that foul creature touching my sister?!!"

"That's none of your business!! How dare you call Fox that?!! He's a wonderful human being...You just don't give him a chance..."

"A chance for what?!! Get her killed?!! How many times can you stand for that, Mom?!! Melissa's dead because of him!! How could you let that monster call you 'Mom'?!!"

"That's enough!! I'll not take this sort of talk from you..."

"You're taking it, Mom, you're going to learn the truth, when a bunch of green babies are running around your house..."

"You... you know your sister can't have children!! How dare you... how dare you talk to me this way?!! I'm ashamed of you!!!"

"Well, I'm not too proud of you myself!! So long as that 'sorry son of a bitch' is there, you can just forget about seeing your grandson. I'm not going to let him get killed because you got the devil under your roof!!"

"BILL!!" Tara ripped the receiver from him. He pounded his fist against the wall, as his wife talked to his mother.

Mulder. That name was like acid to his stomach.

As he sat on the pouch not to enjoying the view of the sunset, Bill was too angry to talk with his wife. He regretted hurting his mother but she had to hear the truth.

No matter what, they were still going to visit her in two weeks.

Bill Scully, Jr. would deal with this Mulder problem and make that 'sorry son of a bitch' regard the day he was born.

One and Half Week Later

"Fox, no! You are not carrying me!"

"Well, at least, lean on me...?"

"No! This is why they gave me the crutches. Just hand them to me..."

"I don't like them... please, let me carry you in...?"

"NO!!"

"Pleazzz, Dana? I won't give these to you until you say 'yes'..." Fox had on his famous sad-puppy dog look.

"Youuu... Fine!! But let me use them until we are out of the street and then you can carry me into the apartment... deal?"

"Deal!!" Fox didn't get his way completely but he did enjoy trying. He didn't realize how easy he could get Dana to give in. Not that his begging always worked, but he was certain he won most of the time.

As he helped her out of the car, Dana cursed herself to no end. A twisted ankle! She was going to be out for more than a week. Of all the stupid things to do, and it wasn't like she injured herself on the job but in her own kitchen.

It happened in the morning, when she was getting ready for work. Fox had spent the night at his place and Dana forgot to set the alarm clock to wake her up in the morning. She was so use to having Fox set the alarm that Dana's forgetfulness caused her to be late for work.

Dashing around getting dressed, Dana planned to bring their lunch today. Fox had been taking her out for lunch for the last few days and would not let her pay once.

Dana didn't like it one bit.

"Will you stop acting like I can't afford to pay for my own meal?! I am not financially helpless!!"

"It's nothing to do with your financial situation, I just want to treat you special, can't you just let me have that?!"

"Did you ever think that maybe I would like to treat you special? Take you out to lunch... or maybe make a lunch for you?"

"You always make me feel special... what would you make me for lunch? Nothing healthy, I hope..."

"I rather surprise you... How about it? Let me make you lunch tomorrow and I'll let you pay for the next lunch?"

"Maybe, I'll make you lunch..."

"Oh, please, Fox, you can barely make the bed..."

After dinner at a restaurant near work, (Dana gave in and let Fox pay for it), Fox headed back to his apartment. There was some work he needed to do on his computer and wasn't sure if he would be back the rest of the evening. He didn't want Dana to know until he was certain about some information that mysteriously appeared on his desk the other day. With help from the Lone Gunman, tonight, Fox should have enough proof to make this an X-File and with any luck, enough to get Dana's interest going.

With Fox gone for the night, this gave Dana time to start planning for tomorrow's lunch without him getting in the way.

A quick stop at the supermarket to buy the items she needed, Dana thought of calling her mother to see how she was doing.

The last time Dana talked to her mother, she still hadn't heard from Bill. Dana herself tried to call but would only get their answering machine. She did leave a few choice words to Bill the first time, and only tried once more to reach him without any luck.

Unloading the grocery bags, Dana decided on making beef stew for their lunch. It had everything in it, the beef that Fox loved and lots of vegetables. He didn't eat enough of them as far as Dana was concern.

She also decided to make stream rice as well, to pour some of the beef stew over it. Fox would make a face, but Dana didn't care. She liked rice with beef stew. She would have to remember to bring the streamer with her tomorrow to make the rice fresh just the way she liked it.

As she cut up the vegetables, Dana called her mother. It was never worse than to hear the sadness in her mom's voice. The fight she had with Bill took a toll on her much worse than Dana expected. It didn't help that neither Bill or Tara would not return any of their calls.

"Mom, do you know if Charlie has heard from him?" Dana asked.

"I don't know, dear? I... I don't know if Charlie is aware of what has happened. He didn't mention anything to me the other day, and I won't tell him. I don't want him to hate Fox as well..."

Dana could not agree more, Charlie was the only immediate family member whom Fox has not met, yet. It would be nice if one of her brothers liked her Fox.

The next morning, Dana could not believe she forgot to set the alarm clock. She took her shower and dressed fast. With any luck, she would only be a few minutes late.

Dana was about to walk out the door when she remembered the lunch she made. She worked too hard on it to let it go.

Slipping the container of beef stew in a plastic bag along with a package of uncooked rice, Dana was not about to forget the streamer.

If she could only remember where she put it?

Being too tired to look for it last night, Dana figured she had plenty of time in the morning to search for it.

Going through the lower covers in the kitchen, Dana suddenly remembered she placed the streamer in one of the higher shelves in the kitchen covers.

Taking the stepping stool in front of the covers where she was certain the streamer was, Dana stretched her arms out to reach it. She really missed Fox for this. The man could reach just about anywhere without stepping on his toes. Dana could barely reach the damn thing even with the stepping stool.

Standing on her toes, Dana made one good push with her feet to reach the streamer when the stool slipped.

Dana barely had time to react when she came falling down. She tried to land on both of her feet, but she was coming down too quickly for that kind of action. As she landed on her right foot, her body twisted and she fell hard on her side. She managed to keep her head from not hitting the kitchen floor. The rest of her body ached from the impact.

She lay there for a moment to catch her breath. Dana chastised herself when she started to stand up.

"What a great way to start the mor... OUCH!!"

Dana nearly fell again when she put pressure on her right foot. There was no way she could walk on it or tell at that moment if it was broken or not. She needed help.

Hopping against the wall for support, Dana painfully reached the living room for the phone. Lowering herself on the couch, she dialed Fox's cell phone.

"Mulder..." he answered.

"Fox, it's me. I need your help..." The pain of her ankle as well as her side made her cringed.

"Dana!! Where are you?!! Are you all right?!!"

"... I'm at home. I fell in the kitchen... I can't tell if I broke my ankle or not... Please, Fox..? I need your help..."

Keeping to her words, Dana allowed Fox to carry her into her apartment building. This morning when he came to help her, Fox had to carry her out of her apartment to his car. At the time, Dana didn't care who saw them. She just wanted to get to the hospital.

When they reached her apartment, Fox placed Dana down to unlock the door. She was about to hop in when Fox stopped her.

"Your promise, Dana...?"

"Fine!! Just get me in!!"

Just as Fox scooped her back into his arms, one of Dana's neighbors opened her door, surprised at the sight before her.

"Oh, my goodness!! Did you two finally get married?"

"No, Mrs. Kneeler, I twisted my ankle this morning and he's just being nice to carry me in," Dana showed her the crutches she was holding in her hand.

"Not that the idea of getting married doesn't sound so bad, what do you think, Dana?" Fox asked her, giving his boyish smile.

"I'd like to talk about it, later. Can we go inside? Goodbye, Mrs. Kneeler..."

Taking her to the bedroom, Fox lay Dana down carefully as if she was made of crystal. He took the extra pillows to level her right foot on them and fluffed the other pillows for her head.

"Thank you, Fox..."

He kissed her on the forehead, tenderly," Hey, just my chance to pay you back for all the times you took care of me. Is there anything you need? Water? Are you hungry? Do you want me to turn on the TV for you or do you want something to read?"

"Water, please, I'm not hungry right now... Oh, no! I left the stew outside the refrigerator... It might not be good anymore..."

"I'm sure it's fine. It hasn't been sitting out there that long. Do you want me to turn on the TV for you before I get you your water?"

"Sure, why not...?"

Dana closed her eyes for a moment. Fox still could never get over how beautiful she was. He found a show he thought she might like and place the remote control near her hand, kissing her on the cheek.

As he was getting Dana the water, Fox decided not to mention marriage to her right now. It wasn't really the best time to ask. She was tired and not in the mood. One day, he would bring it up again.

After calling Skinner to report Dana's condition, Fox remained with her the rest of the day.

While Dana slept, Fox reviewed again the material the Lone Gunman had collected for him last night.

It was more than he had hope for. Time was short. Fox needed to go now. He wasn't concern about getting approval from Skinner, but Dana on the other hand, he didn't feel right about leaving her.

Finishing her second bowl of beef stew, Dana let out a sigh. After hearing and reading the material Fox had in his possession, she knew exactly what he was going to do but asked anyway.

"Sound interesting, are you going to take it up?

"Yes, I am, very much, I need to leave tonight."

"Have you spoken to Skinner?" She knew his answer.

"Well, he'll read about it, I plan to fax the request just before I leave... oh, and also your medical forms, too," Fox smiled at her, but the smile quickly disappeared," Dana, I'm sorry, I don't mean to go without you. I don't want to leave you alone, but I..."

"It's all right, Fox, I understand..." Dana smiled at him. What good was it to get mad at him? He would drive her crazy either way. If he stayed, he would be thinking too much about the information he had, and he also was an overbearing nurse. Dana might end up putting him in the hospital. She wondered if he would ditch her anyway, ankle or no ankle. Best not to think about it.

"Dana, I don't want you to be alone while I'm gone. I would like you to stay at your mother's. It would make me feel better to know that the both of you are not alone..."

He had expected her usual comment but instead, she shook her head in agreement," You're right, I shouldn't be alone nor should my mother... I'm really worried about her, Fox. I talked to her last night... I have never heard her sound so depressed. That damn Bill! He's causing her so much pain."

"I know, I called her myself last night, right after you. She doesn't need to be alone and taking care of you just might help get things off her mind..."

Placing his empty bowl on the night stand, Fox moved closer to her," Dana, please forgive me. I have to do this, it's... it's important to me. I only wish you could go with me. I swear I would have never leave you behind. You are the only one I trust... and love..." Fox leaned in for a kiss which she in turn gave to him," Mmm, beef stew..."

Dana looked at him. A feeling of dread came over her.

"Fox, I love you. Please, promise me, you'll come home to me..."

Three Days Later

Dana Scully was trying to relax in her mother's living room by reading a good book. She kept both her mother's phone and her cell phone near her at all times.

Dana had received an earful from Skinner when he learned of Mulder's plans. By limited the information on his whereabouts to Dana and Skinner as well as not taking his own cell phone, Fox was unreachable.

"He's on his own, Agent Scully. Do I make myself clear?!!" Skinner warned her.

Dana was frightened, not by Skinner's comments, but by the danger Fox had placed him in without any backup. Not that this was the first time he had ever put himself into such a situation, it never stopped Dana from worrying about him. What consequence Fox might suffer upon his return was the least of her worries, Dana simply wanted him to come home safe and sound.

While working on his investigation, Fox called Dana several times, day and night, reviewing his thoughts with her on any discoveries he had found. He knew it was a risk calling Dana. Not only did he need and want to her feedback, but he needed to hear her voice, as well.

Dana hated not being with him. She would love to be able to examine the evidence with her own eyes but most of all, she missed and worried constantly about him.

Dana looked at the time on the Grandfather clock that was in the living room. She had not heard from him in more than 12 hours. The last call he made to her was at four in the morning, waking her from a sound sleep. Fox had called to say he had found something that he needed to investigate close hand. Dana was terrified.

"Fox, please be careful. I want you to come home, please...?"

"Don't worry, Dana, you know me, I'll be careful. Remember wait for my call. I love you, Dana, try not to worry..."

"I love you, too, Fox, and I can't promise you that I won't worry..."

Maggie could not miss Dana's worried face in the morning, and Dana would not hide anything from her mother. When she finished explaining about Fox's situation, Maggie took her hand.

"We should pray for him, Dana..."

"Yes, I want to pray for him..." Dana started crying.

Together, they prayed for Fox Mulder's safe return.

The Next Day

It wasn't until the next morning that Dana received news from Walter Skinner about Fox Mulder.

When Dana spoke to Skinner on her cell phone, she heard in the distance her mother's phone ringing, but paid no mind to it as she listened to the Director.

"Agent Scully, we have received news that Agent Mulder was discovered near the state highway unconscious in his vehicle, no serious injuries except for a cut on his forehead. He is aware of who he is, but is unable to recount his whereabouts for the last 24 hours. He will remain hospitalized for the next 48 hours for observation. Because of your injury, I'll assign an agent to escort Agent Mulder back to Washington..."

"Thank you for informing me, Sir," Dana noticed that Skinner made no mention of any discipline actions toward Fox. Most likely it would be handled when the two men were face to face," Can I ask if I or my mother could pick Agent Mulder up from the airport to take him home?"

"That is acceptable, Agent Scully, if you or your mother are unable to do it, I'll have the assigned agent take Mulder home. I'll keep you updated on his condition, and when he'll be coming back to Washington..."

"Sir, could you please tell me what hospital he is in? I... I would like to call myself and see how his progress is doing and perhaps be able to speak with him...?"

Taking the information from Skinner, Dana did not notice her mother coming into the room. After thanking her superior and hanging up, she was about to make the call to the hospital when her mother spoke up.

"Dana, was that about Fox? Is he all right?"

"Yes, Mom, he's all right, but he's in the hospital right now..."

"Oh, dear God, he's not seriously injured, is he?"

Dana explained the situation to her mother, who in turn was grateful for the news about Fox. Dana started dialing the hospital's number when Maggie stopped her, again.

"Dana, before you call the hospital, I need to talk to you..."

"What's wrong, Mom?"

"When you were talking to your director, Bill called on my phone... He and his family are coming this afternoon for a week's visit..."

Dana was fanatic.

She was trying to move about in her room and pack her bags to leave her mother's house. She did not want to be here when Bill came walking through the front door.

Her ankle was feeling better and she was able to put more pressure on it, but she continued to use the crutches that slowed down her pace around the room.

All Dana could think about was how she was going to take care of Fox. He wouldn't be home for another two days, by then her ankle would be completely healed.

She hoped to bring Fox here with her mother, but now with Bill coming, she needed to keep Fox far away from as possible. Dana needed to be away, as well. she knew there was no way she could be civil around him.

Bill hurt their mother and insulted the man she loved. How could Dana possibly be in the same house without wanting to shoot him?

After talking to Fox on the telephone, Dana knew this was the correct course of action. He was depressed and frustrated that he could not remember anything that had happened to him those 24 hours he was gone.

Wanting to come home to her, Fox didn't like the idea that Dana wasn't with him. He even begged her to come but when Dana reminded him of her ankle, Fox became upset with himself for forgetting.

Dana stayed on the phone with him for quite awhile, until Fox finally told her he was tired and wanted to get some rest. She promised to call him later in the day.

Dana was shocked that she spent nearly three hours on the phone with him. Time was moving fast, it wouldn't be long before Bill and his family would arrive.

Dana still needed to call for a taxi, since Fox dropped her off here and took the car with him to the airport.

Maggie walked in as Dana was packing," What is going on here? Dana, what are you doing?"

"I have to go, Mom, I don't want to be here when Bill shows up..."

"You're leaving me alone? Dana, I don't want you to go. Please, I need you here with me..."

"But, Mom, I don't want to see him!! I can't stand the thought of being in the same room with him after all the things he said!! And Fox, I need to be home and get everything ready for him. He's going to need me to take care of him. I know Fox, this case was hard on him, and I wasn't there for him..."

"Just as you're not going to be here for me..."

"Mom, I..."

"Dana, you're not the only one who doesn't want to see Bill, but I have to. He's my son, but I can't face him alone. I need you with me, Dana. Please, I know how you feel. I can't be brave without you..."

Dana looked at her mother. Her eyes were sad and old. How much, this woman whom she loved so dearly, had aged so quickly in these last few days? Dana could not leave her no matter what she was feeling about her brother. Her mother needed her.

"It's OK, Mom, I won't leave you," Dana hugged her mother who hugged her back tight.

Having to worry about Fox later, it was enough that Dana knew he couldn't come here.

She would have to work it out, somehow.

In the kitchen, Dana helped her mother prepare lunch. Both women moved about quietly and only exchanged a few words to each other. Neither one seemed to want to disturb the other from their thoughts.

Maggie Scully tried to deal with her mixed emotions that were going through her. The love for her children, family and the love she had for Fox Mulder.

Since the first day she met Fox Mulder, at the crime scene at her daughter's home when she was adducted, he had been there for her. Despite what he was going through, Fox stayed in touch with her and would inform her of any news or simply just to talk. She could not imagine how she would have made it through without him. Even when she had given up all hope, Fox remained strong for them both in his belief that Dana would be found.

Maggie would only call him by his first name and if he minded, he never said anything.

Having made the effort to remain in touch with him, Maggie's invitations were declined by Fox each time. Yet she never gave up on him.

What was frustrating to Maggie the most, was the obvious love between him and her daughter, both too stubborn to admit their feelings to each other.

The love they had could not be hidden when Dana was in the hospital dying of cancer. The affection Fox would show to her every time he visited. His devotion was timeless, as was the tenderness he showed to Dana were cherished by Maggie.

When he found the cure for Dana's cancer, there were never enough words for Maggie to give thanks to him for saving her only living daughter's life. The love Maggie felt for him was endless.

Maggie was aware of Bill's feeling about Fox and would defend him, each time Bill spoke ill of him.

It upset her when Bill would blame Fox for anything, Dana's cancer and Melissa's death.

When Maggie learned from one of the nurses, who witnessed Bill's verbal attack on Fox in the hallway of the hospital. She lashed at her son for his mistreatment toward Fox.

Yet, Maggie knew no matter what she said to her son.

William Scully, Jr. hated Fox Mulder.

Dana managed to walk on her right foot, but once in awhile would stop and rest. Still using the crutches a few times during the day, Dana wanted to be sure that she was completely healed before Fox came home. She needed to be if she was to keep Bill away from him.

Dana did love her brother, no matter how much of a jerk he could be at times. Even as children, Bill was always headstrong, clashing with each of his siblings on how he felt they should live their lives.

Dana thought of an incident that happened to her when she was a child when she had found a small-injured rabbit. Hoping to heal it and keep it as a pet, Dana kept the rabbit hidden from Bill who had learned about it and wanted to kill it. Not knowing any better, Dana kept it in an old lunch box with no holes in it for the rabbit to breathe. When she found it dead, she buried it in the backyard and cried for it, knowing she couldn't save it from Bill.

Now Fox was the rabbit.

But unlike the small helpless creature she found as a child, Fox was a charging force, who would take on anything that stood in his way. As foolish as he could be sometimes, he was no injured rabbit that Bill could take out so easily. They were both bullheaded and ready to fight. Dana had seen that too much with herself, when she did her battles with Bill in the past. Somehow she would keep them apart, even if she were the one to come out swinging first.

It was now three in the afternoon when all the worrying and dreading came to end when they heard the doorbell ring. Maggie went to answer it, as Dana followed behind her.

With her heart beating fast, Dana gripped the crutches tight as her mother opened the door.

Standing there with smiles on their faces, was her big brother Bill and his family.

"MOM!!" Bill grabbed and swung her around as he kissed both of her cheeks.

Never had Dana ever seen him so happy. It was as if the phone call never took place. Maybe once they started talking, everything would be all right between them.

Bill Scully caught sight of his little sister. His happy face crumbled, his cheeks became red, and his eyebrows frowned together. He gritted his teeth as he stared at Dana with the crutches.

"WHAT DID THAT 'sORRY SON of A BITCH' DO TO YOU NOW??!!!"

Hell had broken loose in the Scullys' resident.

Bill charged up to Dana, towering over her. His eyes were wide with horror at the crutches she held.

"WHAT DID HE DO TO YOU NOW, Dana??!!"

Dana pulled back for a second, but she came rearing up and faced Bill with the same fire that burned in him.

"Fox didn't do anything to me!! This is what you call an accident!! I had an accident!!"

"What kind of accident?!! Following him on one of his alien hunts?!! Find any green men, Dana?!! Or are you two too busy FUCKIN' each other?!!"

Dana let go of one of the crutches and slapped Bill on the face with her free hand.

"FUCK YOU!!" Dana rarely used the word," YOU HAVE NO RIGHT WHATSOEVER TO ACCUSE ANYONE!!! AND ABOUT Fox AND I FUCKIN'..?! WELL, WE FUCK EACH OTHER EVERY Time WE FIND A GREEN LITTLE MANAND GO LOOK For ANOTHER SO WE CAN FUCK SO MORE!!! IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR?!!"

Dana wasn't done, yet.

"YOU GOT A LOT of NERVE COMING HERE, AFTER WHAT YOU PUT MOM THROUGH!! NEVER ONCE DID YOU EVER THINK of CALLING HER!! MISTER BIG MACHO MAN!! YOU THINK YOU COULD COME IN HERE AND ACT LIKE NOTHING HAD HAPPENED?!! YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU DID TO YOUR MOTHER's HEART?!! IF IT WASN'T For Fox..."

"SHUT UP, Dana!!! DON'T SAY THAT 'sORRY SON of A BITCH's' NAME TO ME AGAIN!!!"

Dana brought her face closer to Bill and grimed a smile at him.

"Fox!! Fox!! Fox!! Fox!!! I LOVE Fox Mulder!! GET USE TO IT!!!"

Tossing the other crutch down, Dana didn't care anymore, if it hurt to walk on her foot. She was too angry to notice as she left her brother along with her mother, sister-in-law and crying nephew staring at her with amazement.

Dana left the house through the kitchen door and walked to the garden where she and Fox had helped her mother planted flowers about two weeks ago. Dana was overwhelmed by the pain of missing Fox. Wishing he could be here now, Dana covered her mouth to keep her grief from not being heard. Only her tears she shed gave away her emotions to the world.

Dana suddenly felt her mother's warm hands her shoulders.

"Dana, are you all right?"

"No, Mom, I'm not... I'm sorry for cursing in your home, but I couldn't stand it. I couldn't stand for the things he said about Fox and I... and what he put you through. Mom, I don't think I can stay... but if you want me to..."

"It's all right, Dana, I asked them to leave..."

Dana turned to her mother, shocked," You did?"

"Yes, I told Bill not to come back until he grows up and that I did love him no matter what, but I wasn't going to let him hurt you or Fox..."

Dana hugged her mother. She knew what her mother had done, was the most difficult thing she could ever do.

Bill most likely would read it all wrong that their mother favored Fox over him. She hoped she was wrong and that he would learn to accept how things were now.

Dana did love her brother, but most of all she loved her mother.

The love she had with no boundaries and was unlimited like the stars.

Two Days Later

Fox Mulder and a male agent named Hewlett made their way through the crowded airport. They didn't get far when Fox smiled to the two faces he loved. Dana Scully and her mother waved to him in the crowd. No one had ever met him at the airport before, unless it was business. Even that was rare.

"Welcome back, Agent Mulder," Agent Scully hugged him.

"Thanks, Agent Scully. Hey, you're walking without your crutches. I bet you were faking it the whole time to get out of this assignment, am I right, Agent Scully?"

"Yeah, right..." Dana turned to the other agent and introduced herself," Agent Scully..."

"Agent Hewlett..."

"I want to thank you for bringing Agent Mulder back to Washington. I hope he didn't give you any trouble..."

"Nah, no trouble whatsoever, all he did was talk. Great alien stories. I hope I'm not out of line, but I always heard he was kind of 'spooky'..."

As Scully talked to the other agent, Fox Mulderhugged Maggie Scully and kissed her on the cheek.

"Hi, Mom, I'm glad to be home. I missed you both..."

"We missed you too, Fox, and I, thank God you came back to us safe and sound..."

After parting ways with Agent Hewlett, the three of them headed off to Maggie's car. Once inside, Fox felt free to kiss his beloved Dana, telling her how much he missed and loved her dearly.

Dana told the same thing as well, and touched his forehead where the bandage covered his cut. As soon as they were home, she would examine and clean it for him.

Driving to Maggie's house, Fox asked tons of questions on how they behaved while he was gone. They in turn did the same thing with him. Never once did either Dana or her mother mention Bill. It was best to talk about it later with Fox. His mood was too good to ruin it now.

"Uh, Dana...?"

"Yes, Fox..."

"We left my car at the airport..."

Four Days Later: Navel Base, San Diego

All Bill Scully, Jr. could think about was revenge on Fox Mulder.

The inhuman had taken and ruined everything that was dear to him. His mother and sister favored the creature over him. Bill was certain that they were brainwashed by the monster. How else did he lose the respect that he once had from his sweet little sister and his mother who he loved so much?

After being thrown out of his mother's house, Bill cut their vacation short and returned home to San Diego, where he had been streaming over the events ever since.

He never would have believed his own mother would do such a thing. He knew it was all because of the monster. He had caused her to act that way.

His sweet little baby sister lashed out at him, possessed and attacked him verbally and physically, to protect the foul creature.

Even his own wife fought him," Bill, you told me you talked to your mother and sister over a week ago!! Why did you lie to me?"

"I didn't want them to know..."

"What?! Why?!"

"I didn't want them to hide that son of a bitch from me!! If they knew ahead of time, they would have hidden him. Did you see him there?!! I knew I shouldn't have called at all!!"

"Bill..." Tara stopped. She was frightened for her husband. His behavior was bizarre. Never had she seen him act this way toward any person.

Tara understood why he did not like Fox Mulder. It was true. That all those horrible mishaps did occur when Fox Mulder came into her sister-in-law's life, but did she feel it was his fault? No, Tara felt it in her heart that Fox Mulder was not responsible for all the misdeeds done to the Scully family.

Tara was even surer of it, when she met Fox Mulder at her home after Christmas when Dana had discovered her daughter Emily. She found that she liked Mulder. There was the sweetness to him, almost childlike, especially when Tara looked into his eyes and saw the pain he was feeling for Dana. There was also the love he had for her sister-in-law, an emotion that could not be missed by anyone.

Tara couldn't understand why Bill could not try and put his feelings aside to give Fox Mulder a chance.

With the women of the family against him, Bill needed a plan to ridicule Fox Mulder and to win back the trust and love of those who once adored him.

Bill tried to contact his brother Charles. Together, they could stop this 'sorry son of a bitch', but Charles was out of town and would not be back for about four weeks.

Fine. He could wait. After all he was a soldier, a navy man.

Bill Scully, Jr. could wait for the attack and destruction of Fox Mulder.

Somewhere In The United States.

There were two files sitting on his desk. One was the case that Fox Mulder failed at and the other, was the personnel file that belonged to U.S. Navy Lt. Comm. William Scully, Jr.

After taking a drag from his cigarette, he smiled. He knew that Mulder would not succeed in his mission. He also knew once again, Mulder would be allowed to get away with his actions as he had planned it.

He smiled once more.

Lifting the file of William Scully, Jr., the man had potential. Unlike his father, that the group had once considered, this Scully was the perfect man to help continue the Project. .

He was fully aware of Scully's hatred for Agent Fox Mulder, which did attract his attention but not the reason for his interest in him.

He was also aware of the new relationship between Agent Mulder and Agent Scully. He was actually happy for them and hoped it would work out.

For now, his interest was in Agent Scully's brother.

He slipped the personnel file in his briefcase and would present it to the group.

He was sure they would agree with him.

Summary: Dana lets Fox have it for the rotten things he had done to her in the past.

Somewhere In Texas

Dana Scully could not believe the condition she was in as she slammed the door shut to her motel room.

From her head down to her well-paid pumps, she was covered in mud. The whole thing had put her in the worst mood.

Carefully peeling her jacket off, Scully cursed Mulder's name.

This was his fault. He couldn't fall into the mud by himself. He had to grab her jacket and pull her in. It wasn't her fault that he wasn't being careful where he was going and couldn't keep his balance.

What made him think she could keep him from falling in?

Holding her jacket, Scully didn't know where to place it. Finally she gave up and tossed it to the floor.

She was about to remove the rest of her stained clothing, when Fox Mulder came into her motel room. He, too, was covered in mud. Scully cursed under her breath for not locking the door, he was the one person she did not want to see.

With the hurt look of a little boy all over his face Mulder pulped down on the nearby chair with all the mud that was still on him.

"WHAT The HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?!!! GO DIRTY YOUR OWN MOTEL Room!!!" She screamed and pointed to the door for him to get out.

Pulling his lips back in a frown, Mulder stood up quickly. His large frame towered over Scully who remained standing, unaffected by his formidable present.

Matching the volume of her voice, he shouted," FINE!!!" and stormed out of her motel room, slamming the door behind him that caused the walls to shake.

This time, Scully locked the door and stomped her way to the bathroom.

The hot water from the shower washed the mud away from her body and brought back her silk-white skin that radiated her beauty.

Dana was glad she threw Fox out or he would be in here with her.

Being a pain in the ass.

Remembering the one time she had gotten this dirty and it wasn't mud either. All the manure from the explosion showered on her and Mulder from top to bottom where his precious Doctor Bambeee didn't get one ounce all over her.

Did he have a kind word to say to her?

NOOO!!!

What did Mulder tell her?

(...you smell bad...)

Well, screw you over there!! I hope there's no hot water!!

Bambi.

What damn fool would name their kid after a deer? A male deer of all things!!

(He let her call him,'Fox'...)

YOU BASTARD!!!

Six years!! It took him six years to let her call him,'Fox'. All Baambee did was flash her legs at him and he did his thinking with his dick.

(Thanks, thanks sooo much!!!)

Fox.

How many times did she hear other women call him by his first name?

Even her own mother called him,'Fox' before she did!!

(He wouldn't let me...)

She could still hear him laughing and telling her the lie of his.

(... I even make my parents call me 'Mulder'...)

Yeah, right.

Diana Fowley.

(... You know what to do, Diana...)

Diana.

(... Fox...)

(... Diana...)

(... Fox...)

(... Scully...)

"YOU SON of A BITCH!!!"

After wrapping herself in a terry-cloth robe, Dana rested comfortably in her bed. Feeling content, she closed her eyes and welcomed the chance for some sleep.

Removing the towel from her head, Dana's wet hair fell freely down her neck and pressed against the side of her face.

With her eyes still closed, Dana reached for the hairbrush she brought with her from the bathroom. Each stroke to her hair relaxed and freed her from the wicked thoughts, she had earlier.

No sound, not even the noise from the outside could disturb her tranquillity... until she heard the knock on the door.

(Let me guess who that is...)

Dana was now sorry she locked the door. Getting out of the bed was something she didn't want to do.

When she opened the door, Dana found the Cheshire cat grinning at her.

Fox's smile took up his whole face. His eyes were bright and cheerful. Now clean and dressed in black, he seemed to have lost all the anger he had before as he waited for Dana to greet him.

The sight of him made her sick.

"What do you want, Mulder?"

The grin disappeared from his face. Not liking her to call him 'Mulder' anymore, he made no attempt to correct her.

"I just thought you might want to go out for dinner..? How about it? I'll let you treat..." Fox smiled again.

Still feeling her anger toward him, it wasn't only for the other things she had no reason to hold on to. Dana wanted to punish him... severely.

"I don't know..? What do you have in mind?" She gestured him to come in.

"Well..." Fox made his way in as Dana closed the door. Seeing that she was still upset with him, Fox knew he had to step lightly on any subject he might.

He jumped and swirled his body to face Dana with his hands holding on to the spot where she spanked him. Fox could not believe what she had done. His eyes and mouth were wide opened. Staring at her in shock as Dana waved the hairbrush at him.

"What the hell did you do that for?!!"

"THAT WAS For The MUD!!!"

Dana swung again hitting him on the side of his butt cheek.

"THAT WAS For BAMBI!!! THIS IS For DETECTIVE WHITE!! AND ANY OTHER BITCHES YOU STOOD GOO-GOO EYEING IN FRONT of ME!!!"

Dana was on fire, swinging the brush as she aimed for any part of Fox's body.

"THIS IS For NOT GETTING ME MY OWN DESK!!!"

Fox tired to grab the brush from her only to get smacked on the hands.

"THIS IS For DITCHING ME ALL The Time!!!"

Having to jump around, Fox tried to dodge Dana's aims, but she kept making contact especially with his butt. She was going to give him the worst ass beating in his life if Fox didn't try and get the brush away from her.

"THIS IS For MAKING FUN of MY HEIGHT!!"

Dana was more than a match for him fueled by whatever was upsetting her.

"THIS IS For YOUR STUPID SUNFLOWER SEEDS!!"

With one final swing, Dana hit him again on his butt and knocked Fox on the bed as he tried to turn away from her.

"THAT's For MAKING ME WAIT Six FUCKIN' YEARS TO CALL YOU 'Fox'!!!"

Throwing the brush against the wall, Dana sat down hard on the bed, crying.

She didn't know why she was this upset with him. Everything was pointless. It was all in the past. It didn't make her feel any better.

(... He doesn't even think I'm his soul mate...)

Crying out her pain, whatever Dana was feeling about the other things, this was the one thing that hurt the most.

Sliding off the bed to sit next to her, Fox was not angry with Dana for what she did. In his own peculiar way of thinking, he felt he deserved it.

All the things she said were true.

He was an asshole.

There was no denying it.

Fox only wished Dana had told him she was going to punish him. He would have been more cooperative if he had known of her plans.

Pulling up closer to her, and being careful of his sore ass, Fox hugged her. There was nothing to do but wait for Dana to stop crying.

"Do you still believe her?" Dana asked through her hands.

"Believe who?"

"Melissa Riedel-Ephesian..." God, Dana couldn't believe she still remembered the woman's name. She brought her hands down and looked at him," Do you still believe she is your soul mate?"

Letting loose a sigh, Fox realized that he had not thought of Melissa Riedel-Ephesian for years.

He remembered how obsessed he was when he met her and felt the connection to her as well as the fields that surrounded the compound where Melissa and her fellow cult members lived.

He still believed himself to be the soldier who died in the field, but did he still believe Melissa was his soul mate?

"Don't be afraid to be honest with me..." Dana told him," It won't change the way I feel about you..."

"Then why ask?"

"I just thought of it right now... Wondered how you felt about it, if you still believed her?"

"I still believe I was the soldier and Melissa was the woman I loved then... I don't believe she is my soul mate. How can I believe that anymore, when I see my soul through you...?"

Seeing that he was telling the truth through his eyes, Dana felt a great sense of relief and rested her head against his shoulder. She did feel foolish for her behavior, though.

"You always amaze me, Fox..."

"You amaze me, too, Dana..." He rubbed the spot on his ass that hurt the most. Fox gave her a pitiful grin and a look of forgiveness.

Dana smiled and forgave him, too, for the little things that were big things a few minutes ago.

She took his hand into her own hand and saw the red marks where she hit him with the hairbrush, Dana kissed them, hoping to make him feel better with each kiss.

"You do amaze me, Fox. How you believe in past lives but not in the word of God... Still, I believe... that soul mates, if they do exist, don't always come back in each life as lovers..."

"What do you mean?"

Well, perhaps they come together in different forms, parent to child, siblings or best friends. Guiding each other through the lives, they live... and a few times, they meet as lovers."

"Maybe... if you believe in that stuff..." Fox teased her, Dana would always be his lovely skeptic.

"What I do believe is the life we are living right now," Dana kissed his hand again, feeling bad for hurting him," We are two souls, my love, two true souls... that are now one."

"Yeah, that sounds just about right..." Fox leaned in to kiss her, but let out a yelp of pain from where Dana hit him on the back.

Dana got up to check him and lifted his T-shirt, feeling terrible again for hitting him.

"Oh, Fox, I'm so sorry for hurting you..."

"That's OK, Dana, you discovered one of my most secret fetishes..."

"What? Infantilism?"

"GEEZ, Dana!!"

(Well... maybe...)

The End...

Summary: Dana examines her new life with Fox.

Sunday

Dana Scully spent the entire afternoon doing laundry.

It never used to be this way.

Some of the laundry was hers and the rest of it was Fox Mulder's. Somehow he managed over time to leave just about everything he owned in Dana's laundry basket.

A lot of his clothing was in bad shape. Dana was certain that some of his boxers were from his days in high school, Fox begged to differ.

"I'll have you know that I only have three pairs from my high school days and a few are from when I was at Oxford..."

Dana threw his old pairs out and bought him a whole new set of boxers that Fox accepted after some whining for his lost pairs.

Spending more time living at Dana's apartment than at his own place, Fox felt at home within the walls that belong to his beloved, a feeling that his own apartment never gave to him.

Becoming a regular sight to all the neighbors, Fox would strike up a conversation with the older women in the building, whenever he would encounter them. The women simply fussed over him to where his face would become beet-red.

Dana never realized how man-hungry the older women in her building were until one day she caught them watching Fox as he jogged away in shorts and a bit too-tight T-shirt down the block.

It wasn't long before Dana increased her list of items to buy from one person to two. Shopping for Fox Mulder had in itself become a unique adventure.

Discovering that not only did his boxer shorts needed to be replaced, quite a few of his T-shirts and socks were just as awful, Dana tossed them as soon as she bought him new ones.

The details of the bathroom soon fell into a ritual, as Dana stocked up with Fox's favorite toothpaste, deodorant, cologne and shaving cream. Before any of the items came close to being empty, Dana replaced them without Fox giving any notice.

Only with the toothbrush did Fox protested when Dana would replace it each month with a new one after he had gotten the old one the way he liked it.

Dana rolled her eyes up. This was coming from a man who swallowed more than he spit out. She ended his complaining when she took his new toothbrush from him and swirled it in the toilet water before returning it to him.

"There, just like your old one... brush well..." Dana calmly walked out of the bathroom.

There wasn't any complaining after that.

When it came to the supermarket, the only thing Dana regretted was the one time she brought Fox with her.

Entering the supermarket with Dana Scully a few weeks ago had sent Fox Mulder into a culture shock.

Having managed to live quite well off the items he would find in convenient stores or any fast food place, Fox was completely unprepared for the sight in front of him.

A deli, a bakery, a bank, a dry cleaner, video rentals, a florist, as well as all the different variety of products available to the consumers, tons of magazines and paperbacks were off on one side and people giving out free samples or coupons for the customers' use.

Fox Mulder didn't know where to start.

Dana had lost him several times while they were there. His behavior was sometimes embarrassing when he would come up to her asking what was this and that. Some things he never heard of or their use.

Some things he simply wanted to embarrass her with.

While in the produce department, Fox popped right in front of Dana with a package of Depends briefs in his hands waving it in front of her.

"What the hell are these?" He demanded to know.

"Those are adult diapers, Fox, go put them back..."

"They sell these here? Shit, what won't they sell?!"

With that he disappeared.

Dana was determined to stick to her list of items and coupons she had, but each time Fox would add more things to the shopping cart.

When he would leave, Dana would remove the items he had put in the cart, but soon gave up when Fox would return with even more stuff than before.

Few times, Dana would bump into him but he would be so engrossed with the food item he had in hand that he would take no notice unless he needed to put the item into the shopping cart.

When Dana ran into him in the cereal aisle, Fox was overwhelmed by his new discovery.

"Dana, look at this!! Chocolate Covered Frosted Flakes!! Can you believe this?!! Like it's not sweet enough as it is?!! I got to try this... LOOK!! They got Kix!! I didn't think they made that anymore!! I wanna a box..."

"Fox, we don't need this much cereal..."

"Yes, we do... How else am I suppose to figure out which one is my favorite...?" and for good measure he threw in a box of Oreo cereal.

Dana found herself rushing to get out of the store before she killed Fox. She couldn't believe how he managed to be all over the place. One minute she saw him at the deli ordering slice meats and the next at the video section studying the selection.

She even saw him talking to the banker at the small booth at the corner of the store. Fox was trying out every free sample given to him and finally he was at the magazine section reading a magazine with a few under his left arm.

Dana called out to him," Fox, I'm getting in line..."

Looking up from the magazine, Fox answered her," All right..." and dumped several magazines into the overloaded cart.

Taking over the shopping cart, Fox nearly crashed into a display while racing to get into a line. Dana walked slowly behind, hoping no one knew he was with her.

Once everything was unloaded and being scanned, Fox stood before the small ATM box in front of him, studying it with fascination.

"You mean we can pay with our ATM or credit cards now?" he asked the cashier.

"Yes, Sir, you can even pay with cash or a check..." The cashier answered to humor him. She would have never done it if she didn't find Fox cute.

"How about that, Dana, we can go into debt here in the supermarket..." He laughed.

"I feel like we are already..." Dana commented as she watched the items Fox threw in being scanned.

Pulling out his wallet and removing his ATM card, Fox asked the cashier," When can I slide it in?"

"Anytime, Sir..." She really thought Fox was cute and winked at him. Fox didn't miss it and smiled. Dana didn't miss it either and frowned at the cashier.

When the cashier finished scanning the last item, she looked at Fox and asked," Do you have your membership card, Sir?"

"What's that?" Fox frowned at the question. Dana had hers ready and handed it to the cashier.

"That membership card allows you to get certain items on sale..." Dana informed him.

"How do I get one of those?" Fox asked. He didn't like being out of the circle when it came to the supermarket. He really liked this place and regarded not knowing about it sooner.

"Here you go, Sir, all you have to do is fill this application out and one, two, three, the card is yours."

"Great!!" Fox pulled out his pen and started filling out the application, much to Dana's disbelief.

The cashier was no help at getting them out of here quicker. Dana noticed the line growing behind them with very unhappy and unfriendly people snarling at Fox.

"Sweetheart, you can fill that out at home, and bring it later..." Dana tried to convince him.

"No, I want to do it now," Fox didn't notice the crowd behind Dana and continued to fill out the form.

When he finally finished, Fox handed it to the friendly cashier, who in turn after scanning the application gave Fox Mulder his first supermarket membership card.

The cashier noticed his name and smiled at him," Your name is 'Fox'? Well, your parents named you right..." and winked again at him.

Dana finally had enough.

Pushing her body against Fox she made him move away from the cashier and out of the store.

With him pushing the cart filled with their groceries to the car, Dana vowed never to bring Fox Mulder with her to the supermarket again.

NEVER!!

Unfortunately, the next time she went, Fox added quite a few things he wanted onto the shopping list, thanks to his unique memory.

The incident at the market with the cashier reminded Dana of the one flaw in her personality that she wished she could change.

She was ferociously jealous of any woman who would look at Fox Mulder in any way. Dana didn't like it either when Fox seemed to show an interest in a woman whether it was work related or just being a man. There was a list of women whom Dana simply hated because they had caught Fox's attention.

Diana Fowley was the one person whom Dana distrusted and disliked.

Whatever life Diana had shared with Fox Mulder has to this day remained a mystery, a past that Fox did not seem to want to share with Dana.

What happened between them would show whenever Fox came to Diana's defense as Dana expressed her true feeling about the bitch.

Yet, despite everything, it was always Dana, Fox would return to. The spell Diana Fowley once had on him could never break the bond he shared with Dana Scully.

Being jealous was a flaw in Dana's personality but it was one she shared with Fox. As difficult as it was to mask his anger when another man took an interest in his beloved, it took more self-control not to punch out the motherfucker who dare even try to win Dana's heart from him.

Dana took great pleasure in caring for Fox Mulder as she tried to make everyday living simpler for him.

Each day, Dana would make sure the suit he had wore was hung on a hanger until she could take it and a few others to the dry cleaners.

Despite what happened in the supermarket, Dana kept his favorite snacks and drinks well stocked in the kitchen covers and refrigerator.

As much as she hated them, Dana kept plenty of sunflower seeds for Fox. It was a mess picking up after im when he was done with them. The empty shells would be all over the place, even after Dana yelled at him to discard them into a large ashtray she kept on the coffee table.

Dana actually didn't like kissing Fox after he sucked the life out of the seeds. Too salty his lips and tongue were that the aftertaste would stay in her mouth.

Dana was having a hard time adjusting to his bad habits.

Whenever Fox came over to her place after work, he would toss his shoes off next to the front door. His jacket and trench coat were thrown over the couch. His tie and shirt were on the bedroom floor as his pants were left hanging on the towel rack in the bathroom. He would walk around in boxer shorts until dinner. Even though Dana thought Fox looked cute in just boxers, she did not tolerate him, not wearing clothes to the dinner table.

Her once-cleaned bathroom was now a hideous sight each time she walked in. Fox's habit of leaving everything untidy in the one room Dana insisted on being well kept.

One day, Dana took Fox by the hand to show him how to put back all the tops on the toothpaste and other items he would use. She also showed him where his toothbrush was to be place and how to hang the towel the right way on the towel rack.

With his arms crossed and his lip pouting, Fox Mulder hated that Dana Scully treated him this way and stormed out of the bathroom.

It was a message that eventually got through to his head and Fox did try his best to keep the bathroom neat. Though Dana would still find some things out of place, at least he was trying to improve.

In other areas, Fox Mulder did not care about the actions he set forth for himself.

It drove Dana crazy when she would catch him drinking the milk, iced tea or orange juice out of their containers. Dana would lecture him to no end about how unhealthy it was for him to do this.

Until one day, he reminded Dana that the mouth that went around the container's opening was the same mouth she was locked in an overheated kissing session with a few minutes ago.

Fox ran out of the kitchen when Dana threatened him with a wooden spoon for being such a smart-ass.

During the night, Fox kept a tight grip around Dana and snuggled close to her that in turned gave Dana a sense of security in his arms.

It was a peaceful time for them both that Dana allowed the peculiar habit that Fox would do in his sleep.

Almost every night Dana would awake to find Fox either sucking on her earlobe or the back of her shoulder, tugging on her skin.

It was a struggle for Dana to break free of his arms when she wanted to get up. The moment he felt her pull away, Fox would growl a " NO!!" and hold onto her even tighter.

When Dana would finally break loose from his arms, Fox would kick the bed like a child throwing a tantrum that would last only for a moment that would take place as he continued to sleep.

Believing once that Fox was a light sleeper, Dana had a difficult time waking him up every morning. So frustrated she would end up whacking him hard on the rump to get a reaction from the lump of clay that snoozed on her bed.

One time he had made her so mad, Dana left him sleeping while she went to work. Fox showed up three hours later cursing under his breath.

Somehow he had once managed his sleep before they became a couple.

Claiming to hardly sleep at all, Dana believed this to be true of Fox Mulder. Nightmares would haunt his sleep that he would cause him to beat Dana to work almost all the time because of it. She was certain he must have slept at the office few times because she would recognize the suit from the day before.

Now it seemed Fox was making up for the lost time in the comfort of Dana's own bed, where his fears and uncertainty of the night would crease to exist.

It didn't surprise Dana how much Fox loved to be hugged. More so than ever since the barriers between them had finally broken down. When he wanted it, Dana shower Fox with tons of affection as he dug his face into her chest.

Dana felt so sorry for Fox. His life before she met him had been hard and cruel. From what little he told her at the time or what Dana observed on her own Fox was force to grow up too soon.

He was a responsible individual, at times too responsible. Fox felt he had to take on all the World's problems, fix everything right and tried so hard to please people who could never be satisfied.

Dana never expected any of these things from him. Perhaps that was why he could let his guard down and let out the little boy in front of her. With Dana, there was no one to make fun of him, chastised him or be terribly cruel.

In many ways, Dana was the strong one of the two, not that Fox didn't possess his own strength in the life he shared with her. Yet the boldness that made him strong did not have the maturity that Dana had within. She beared many images for him. Not only was she Fox's best friend, lover, companion, strong arm, challenger, and the only one he trusted, Dana was also a mother figure to him in her own unique way. Whenever he craved it, Dana would respond to Fox's needs as he searched out the comfort that any child wanted from his mother.

The extension of comfort did not always come from Dana's attention to him. A habit he carried since childhood ruled his needs in the form of an oral fixation.

From the sunflowers to the pencils and finally his own fingers he rested against his mouth as the pressures of the world and his own life weigh heavy on him.

It was a simple act that brought great security to that Dana found fascinating.

It was something she hoped one day to discuss with him about but the need not to embarrass him kept Dana away from the subject.

Still, Dana wanted to help him enjoy his fixation as she encouraged him to suckle her breast to his endless delight.

Having been independent for many years in her adult life, it took some adjustment on Dana's part when Fox offered his help to her.

Nothing pleased Dana more than to hand over her car keys to Fox. Lacking any knowledge on what made a car run, Dana knew enough to when the car needed an oil change, a tune-up, a new air filter and where to put the coolant. Being a woman, she felt that she was an easy target to any deceiving mechanics.

Not that Fox was an expert on cars either, but he knew enough how to talk like he did. He would stick his head in to watch and ask questions to the mechanic. The only thing that worried Dana was that Fox might annoy the mechanic who may decide not to do a good job on her car. So far, Dana had no problems since Fox took over.

Fox did try his best to be a handy man around the apartment and at Mother Scully's house, as well. What he didn't know about plumbing or patched work, he would either get a book on the subject or search the Internet for the information he needed.

Fox's plumbing career ended when he busted a pipe that flooded Dana's kitchen and ruined quite a few things in her living room.

When it came to handling financial situations, Fox was an expert on the subject. He helped set Dana with new investments and balanced her checkbook for her. He also helped Mother Scully with the investments left to her by her deceased husband. Maggie was extremely grateful for Fox's help.

There wasn't a time Dana could not remember Fox leaving the office without any cases under his arms to review for the evening or the weekend. This was a practice he still continued now at her place. Sometimes, Dana could barely see her dinner table, which was covered with cases and paper work as Fox type way on her laptop computer.

It wasn't difficult for Dana to be pulled in when she would take a case with her to read or end up in a heated discussion with Fox on one of the cases.

One time the argument was so tensed, that they ended up fucking on top of a pile of cases just to relieve the pressure of the fight that turned both of them on.

A few weeks later, Mulder pulled out a case from the file cabinet at the office and gave it a whiff.

"I can still smell you on this one, Scully..." He smiled.

The Lone Gunmen were now calling and showing up at Dana's apartment.

One evening, the three Gunmen and Fox Mulder were discussing and arguing of all things, about the new science fiction movie that was in the theater. Dana had not seen the movie even with Fox begging her to go with him.

It almost ended in a wrestling match when Frohike and Langly could not agree on any of the topics that were brought up about the movie. Dana ended up throwing them and Fox out of her apartment but Fox did return a few hours later after Dana cooled off.

The next day, the threesome came back with flowers, candy and gifts to apologize for their behavior that night. With Dana's forgiveness, the Lone Gunmen were back at her place the following weekend.

Being the center of attention to these four men made Dana felt very special and having the Gunmen in her home was like having her brothers' back. She was able to joke and be stern with them all at once.

For the threesome, it was like coming home whenever they were at Dana Scully's apartment.

Each of them thought for sure their relationship with Mulder would suffer once he started dating his partner, but instead they were benefitting from it. From a good hot meal to being remembered on their birthdays, this was one of the best things to ever happen to the Lone Gunmen.

As far as they were concerned, Mulder should have been banging Dana Scully along time ago.

Even Dana's mother accepted the Gunmen with open arms. She liked all three of them and found them to be the most interesting group of men.

"They're almost like Fox, but in a nerdy sort of way..." She once told Dana.

Dana, of course, never forgot her own two brothers. Her relationship with Bill had been strained to the point that whenever she tried to call him, he would hang up the moment she would address herself.

Her other brother Charlie was carefree but understanding.

It was a few weeks after the incident at her mother's house with Bill that she heard from her younger brother.

Charlie got straight to the point.

"... Listen, Dana, Bill called me and I talked to Mom, I would like to hear your side of the story..." he said over the phone.

After telling her story and a few tears shed, Charlie calmly answered his sister.

"Dana, first off, I'm worried about Bill. Whatever your Fox Mulder has done or what Bill thinks he has done. It's pushing him over the edge. Have you tried to make peace with him?"

"I have tried but every time I call, he hangs up as soon as he knows it's me... You don't believe what he is telling you about Fox, do you?"

"I won't know until I met your guy, but don't get me wrong, Dana. I have heard the stories and I can understand where Bill is coming from. I worry about the dangers you put yourself in and what happened to Melissa... who can say if this is your boyfriend's fault or not. But don't worry, I'll make my own judgment this Christmas when I meet him. From what you and Mom have told me, he doesn't sound like the monster Bill has described at all."

Hearing from Charlie made Dana feel a bit better. He never told her the details of the conversation he had with Bill, nor did she ask. If Charlie wanted her to know he would have told her. It was a shame her younger brother had to be pulled into the middle of all of this.

Christmas couldn't come any sooner.

Having someone to take care of kept her mind off all the weird and bizarre things that happened to her and Fox every time he opened an X-File. Thinking that home was a safe haven was an illusion. Dana knew enough that danger would follow them at anytime, day or night.

Dana also knew she was spoiling Fox, by keeping things simple for him and making sure there were things around to pacify him. He didn't seem to mind and if he did Dana was sure he would let her know.

Dana may not like some of Fox's bad habits and did try to correct a few. There were other things that he would do that she would never take away from him. It was not her place to completely change his personality and she wouldn't. They were the things that Dana loved about him, both the good and the bad.

Though she made some of life's events easier for Fox, she could never take away what driven him because that force drove her as well.

Together, in either relationship, they both continued to search for the Truth.

Summary:How does Fox and Dana deal with rivals of the heart?

FBI Headquarters: Mulder's Office

Dana Scully held a case in her hand.

Having spent over an hour filing, each case Scully held reminded her of the past, the past that had Diana Fowley's name on it.

The cases Dana Fowley and Jeffrey Spender worked on, were all that remained in the cabinets that now surrounded Scully.

Dana Scully hated that bitch.

Hated and distrusted her from the beginning, Scully could never convince Fox Mulder otherwise. His endless trust for this woman who had once been a part of his life.

A life he never talked about.

A life he seemed not to want to share with Dana.

A life, she was afraid to know about.

Not wanting to hear her man talk about another love.

She was tired of feeling Diana Fowley all around her.

Fox Mulder returned to the office to find Dana Scully gone.

He wondered where his beloved went?

Not knowing caused his heart to ache.

For the love he had for Dana Scully surpassed any love, he once had for any woman.

Not even Diana Fowley ever made him feel complete. Though, Diana's words were always comforting to hear when so many people disbelieved him. Even his Dana always challenged him with her scientific theories.

Yet, despite everything, it was Dana he always loved.

Diana... well, he had feelings for her that could never reach the heavens as they did for his lovely Dana Scully.

When he saw her coming, his heart raced and his palms began to sweat. He had never seen such an enchanted woman before in his life.

"Good afternoon, Agent Scully..." The young agent said to her as they crossed near each other in the hallway.

Scully hesitated. She did not know the agent who spoke to her.

"Good afternoon, Agent...?"

"Agent Ralph Spivey... We met for a moment at the meeting last week in the conference room."

"Oh, yes..." Scully could not remember him. He was a nice looking fellow, almost as tall as Fox, but she didn't want to be impolite," Nice to meet you, again. I'm sorry, but I need to get back to my office... you have a good day."

Scully walked away quickly, but to Agent Spivey it was like watching her walk on clouds with each angel step.

"You should forget about that one, Spivey, she's Mulder's girl," Another agent who went by the name of Berman told him.

"Mulder..? That fuckhead who works with her. Please... that fuck doesn't know he has a good thing on his hands. Look at her..."

"I don't know, Spivey. She's pretty much an 'Ice Queen' around here. Don't think you're the only guy here who thought of breaking the ice... Anyway, rumor has it that she and Mulder have been fucking each other for years. Guy's a maniac. That's why no one messes with her..."

"I don't believe in rumors, anyway, she looks like she could use a good mess up, and I'm the guy who can do it..."

(And also worship the ground she walks on...)

Spivey watched the Angel Scully until she disappeared down the corner.

Hearing her footsteps coming back to the office, Fox Mulder looked up from his desk when Dana Scully walked in.

"Hey, Scully... Where have you been?"

Not answering him, she closed and locked the door.

It was time to exorcise the demons that were haunting her, to mark her territory, not only in the office but also in Fox Mulder's mind.

Mulder was completely surprised when Scully threw herself at him and nearly knocked them both down with her heated kiss.

Timothy's Flower Shop: Late Afternoon

Ralph Spivey admired the bouquet of flowers, he chose to have delivered to the Angel Scully.

He signed the card,'from a Secret Admirer'.

Too afraid to admit they were from him, not because of fuckhead Mulder, Spivey didn't think he could take any rejection from his enchanted Angel.

Better to be a secret for now.

Dana's Apartment: Evening

Fox Mulder kissed the foot he was massaging for Dana Scully who let a smile escape her face.

What she had done to him, Fox could never reward her enough.

Never thinking they would make love in the office again, but to have Dana initiated it was just as erotic as the sex they had.

Dana was pleased with herself. Maybe her actions were childish, and unnecessary but if anything Diana Fowley was now a distant memory.

The Next Day: FBI Headquarters- 8:15a.m.

Agent Scully walked briskly through the hallway feeling cheerful.

As she near the door to the office, Scully was surprised at the sight before her. There resting in front of the door was a lovely bouquet of colorful flowers she had ever seen.

Her smile increased, Scully wondered when Mulder had the time to do this. What beautiful flowers!

Resting them on Mulder's desk, Scully pulled the card from its holder. Expecting some silly, romance quote like the last ones he sent to her home, but the card simply read,'from a Secret Admirer'.

Cute. It wasn't too original, but the best way for Mulder to send the flowers to her here at the office. Then Scully noticed the writing was not the same as his. Was this his way of covering his tracks as well?

"Morning, Scully..." Mulder walked in as he closed the door.

With that out of the way, Mulder could really give her that morning greeting again. Maybe not like the one he gave to her earlier at her apartment but something close to it.

Mulder stopped when he saw Scully with the bouquet of flowers sitting on his desk with her smiling at him.

"Who are the flowers from?" Mulder asked.

"You silly... from you, right?" Scully still smiled as she moved up to him.

"I didn't send you any flowers... Who are they from?" Mulder could feel his blood starting to boil.

Scully pulled back, he wasn't kidding. She turned to retrieve the card for him to look at. As she watched him read it, Mulder's face became hard and red.

Reading the card a few times, its image burned in Fox Mulder's mind.

A 'secret Admirer'.

That fuckhead was dead.

"Send them back... Tell the florist thanks, but no thanks..." Mulder crumbed the card up and tossed it hard into the trash can.

"All right, I will..." No need to argue with him, not with the mood he was in.

Scully really hated to get rid of the flowers. They were so pretty, but keeping them was not worth it if it meant losing him. She retrieved the card from the trash can to call the florist.

Mulder moved to his seat, with the bouquet right in front of him.

"Scully, move these fuckin' flowers out of my sight..."

Whoever this 'secret Admirer' was, he was dead, really dead.

Unable to convince the florist to take the flowers back, Scully decided to give them to a friend of hers in the clerical section.

When Scully gave the flowers to her friend, Belle Village, she made up an excuse why she couldn't keep them and that they were a gift from a family member thanking her for a favor she had done. Belle gladly took them from her. She loved flowers.

Back at his office, Mulder fumed as he read the crumbed-up card over and over again.

Someone was after his Scully.

Someone who didn't know better.

Someone Mulder was going to have to teach a lesson to.

Their first few years together, Mulder and Scully were working partners, but the office gossip had already declared them to be lovers.

That myth and the fear that many male co-workers had for Fox Mulder kept many men away from his Scully. A few had tried, but Mulder's reputation and a few choice words from him, always put a stop to it.

He and Scully at the time, may not have been lovers but there was no way anyone was going to take her away from him.

Even poor Agent Pendrell (God Rest His Soul) knew enough to look but not touch. Mulder tolerated the good-hearted nerd and would always be grateful to him for taking the bullet for Scully.

Now there was another asshole in the mist. It was time to drive him out and deal with him. Mulder dialed the number to the florist who delivered the flowers.

"Timothy's Flowers, how may I help you?" A woman answered.

"Hi, I'm calling about a delivery for a Dana Scully, FBI Headquarters, I understand she didn't like the bouquet I had your business send to her. She did try to return them to you but your business refused to accept them back. I'm not too pleased that my money was not well spent on a bouquet that would displease her... And I would like to know what you people are going to do about it?!"

"Could you please hold on a moment, Sir?"

"All right..." Mulder sucked on the pen he now had in his mouth. He knew throwing in 'FBI Headquarters' might make them shake.

"A delivery for Dana Scully... Mr. Spivey, right?"

"Yeah, right..."

(Gotha ya, fuckhead!!)

"We apologize, Mr. Spivay... We did receive a call from Ms. Scully this morning wanting to return the flowers, but we are unable to accept them back... but we will send out a new bouquet to her at no cost to you..."

"That sounds great... I'm very pleased... You've been a great help to me..."

"Thank you, sir. Would you like anything special written on the card?"

"Yeah, please put on it... 'My one true heart... I can never love anyone more than you... '...Period."

Mulder hung up the phone and leaned back on his chair. The pen was in his mouth again as he grinned around it.

Thank God or whomever, the clerk didn't ask for his name first. It all worked out right for a change. He even got another bouquet for Dana without it costing him a thing.

'That's what you get, fuckhead... don't mess with my woman...'

Spivey... that name was new to him as Mulder pulled out the office roster.

It was time for an introduction.

Spivey saw the Angel Scully walking with the bouquet he had sent to her. He had made arrangements for the flowers to be delivered very early in the morning, so they would be there for her when she came in.

Now seeing her walking with them, Spivey was convinced she was touched by the flowers, that she was showing them off to her girlfriends in the building.

Spivey followed her to the clerical section without her knowing it.

Not following her in, Spivey waited outside for her to come out. He pretended to be reading the bulletin board as he waited. When Angel Scully finally came out, she no longer had the flowers in her hands.

Surprised, Spivey didn't follow her, but waited a moment before going into the clerical room.

He walked in to see a clerk named Belle Village arrange the bouquet on her desk.

"Hey, Belle..." Spivey called out to her as he approached her desk.

"Hi, Ralph, how are you doing?" Belle smiled at him when she finally decided on the placement for her bouquet.

"Lovely flowers... from your boyfriend?" He played dumb.

"Oh, no... he's too cheap to buy me such a beautiful arrangement. They were Dana Scully's but she couldn't keep them because she is allergic to some of the flowers..."

(So that's why...)

Spivey felt a great sense of relief but regretted he caused any harm to his Angel. Next time he would send her candy.

"Did she mention who they were from?" Spivey asked.

"Oh... she said a family member sent them to thank her for a favor she did for them, must have been one heck of a favor to get these kind of flowers..."

Spivey nodded his head. Why would she tell such a lie? He thought for sure, she would be beaming that someone had an interest in her.

"Good thing it was a family member... I'm sure Agent Mulder wouldn't be too happy if they came from another man..." Belle commented as she admired her flowers again.

"Mulder? What does he have to do with this?"

"Oh, Ralph, please... she won't admit it but I'm sure those two have been doing it for years. They sure do make a cute couple..."

"Yeah... Well, enjoy the flowers..." Spivey walked out before Belle could answer him.

Walking back to the office, Scully was glad to be rid of the lovely flowers. She didn't have the time to think about whom sent them to her. More concerned about what Mulder might do, if he found out who the person was.

The office was empty when she walked in.

That was not a good sign.

Scully noticed on his desk the crumbed up card she had thrown back in the trash can when she was done with her phone call to the florist and next to it was the office roster.

"Oh, no..."

Entering the large room, where several investigating agents were stationed, Mulder, who rarely came up there, stood against the wall.

His present was quickly noticed and left to wonder by the other agents on what 'spooky' Mulder was doing here?

At first, Mulder observed the room. No one wanted to make eye contact with that nutcase, so everyone continued to work pretending he was not there. Mulder started to walk down the aisle as his eyes moved side to side searching for whatever he was looking for.

When Mulder got close to his desk, Agent Berman slowly lifted his eyes to watch what Mulder was doing. He observed Mulder standing in front of Agent Spivey's desk. Without touching anything, Mulder moved away and walked out of the large room.

'shit!! ' Thought Agent Berman. 'He knows...'

Mulder was now shit mad.

He really wanted to take a good look at this Agent Spivey and check to see if he was a threat to him. He knew he gave everyone the spook (yeah, Spooky...) when he came into the room. Mulder didn't care about the gossip it might create.

As he turned the corner, Mulder ran right into another agent who was coming around the same corner.

"Sorry about that..." The other agent said without looking at Mulder.

Mulder turned to apologize as well, when the agent's badge caught his attention," No problem, Agent... Spivey."

(So this is the motherfucker...)

Mulder grinned at him like the cat that caught the mouse.

The fucker was about as tall as he was, a good-looking fellow with wavy hair, strong cheekbones and a chin. No way, Dana would be interested in this piece of shit.

Spivey looked up at the agent who he bumped into. Almost pissed where he stood when he realized it was Agent Mulder standing before him. They made eye contact, each studying the other.

Finally, Mulder stuck his hand out.

"You're new around here, Agent Spivey, been here long?"

Spivey took his hand and shook it," Yeah... transferred here about a month ago..."

Spivey tried to take his hand back, but Mulder would not let it go. Squeezing it hard, Mulder stared straight at Spivey, with his eyes looking menacing.

"A month... huh? Long enough to hear the stories about me. Let me tell you something, Agent Spivey..." Mulder leaned in closer to him," They are all true..."

Mulder squeezed Spivey's hand tighter, his eyes never losing contact with the young agent, who tried hard to pull free from Mulder's grip.

Suddenly, Agent Berman came running from the corner breaking the spell Mulder had on Spivey.

"Uh, Agent Spivey... there's a call for you. It's important... Come on!!" Berman pulled on Spivey's arm saving him from Mulder's evil glare.

"See you around, Agent Spivay..." Mulder waved to him as Berman dragged him away.

"Shit!! I don't know how he figured it out, Ralph... but he knows!! I told you not to waste your time with that Scully broad. How the fuck did he find out?!"

"I sent her flowers..." Spivey confessed, that son of a bitch Mulder was 'spooky'.

"Oh, fuck!!! You idiot!! No wonder he found out!!"

"But I didn't put my name on it... how could he know?"

"Listen to me, Spivey, just stay away from her. You see her walking down the hallway... go the other way. Don't talk to her, don't even breathe near her!! Did I ever tell you about a buddy of mine named Pendrell?"

"No..." Spivey still couldn't get over how Mulder figured it out.

"Pendrell had a huge crush on Agent Scully... The man could barely talk in front of her unless it was about business. One day, he went into this bar that Agent Scully was at. There were gunshots, some say that Mulder ordered to have Pendrell killed! All because he had a hard-on for Scully. No investigation could prove it. Some say Mulder has many friends high up, friends who can handle and cover-up things like this... Take my advice, Ralph, she's bad news. Just stay away from her and you'll live to retire..."

"But I didn't put my name on it..."

Spivey thought of what Mulder had told him about everything he heard about him being true.

So if Berman's story about Pendrell could be..?

"That's why they call him 'spooky' Mulder..." Berman told his friend.

Scully decided not to go and look for Mulder. Either he would come back on his own or Skinner would be dragging him by the neck.

She heard his footsteps coming. He was alone.

Sitting on his chair with her arms crossed, Scully put on her stern look and waited for him. The door swung opened and there, Fox Mulder stood smiling.

"Hey there, Scully..."

Mulder walked in and hopped his ass on top of his desk, grinning that sly smile of his.

"So who is it?"

"Who's what?"

"The person who sent me the flowers?"

"How the hell should I know?"

"Fox!!"

"Mulder..." He corrected her.

"You piece of shit!! Tell me!!" Scully tried to sock him on the arm but he pulled away before she could reach him.

"No, I really don't know..."

"You better not be lying to me..."

"Is it really that important for you to know?" Mulder really didn't want her to tell her just in case.

Scully thought about it for a moment," No, not really... I doubt I'll be receiving anymore flowers from this 'secret Admirer', am I right, Mulder?"

"Fox..." He corrected her again.

That evening, Mulder walked Scully out of the office as they headed for the elevator. They had decided to watch videos at her place tonight. Mulder was still trying to convince Scully about one certain movie, he wanted to see.

"Forget it, Mulder. You bring that movie over... I'll be practicing my pitching on your head..."

Before either one of them touched the elevator button, the doors opened with one of the office clerks standing there with a bouquet of flowers, almost like the ones Scully received in the morning only better.

"Evening, Agents, I'm glad I caught you before you left. These are for you, Agent Scully."

He handed them to her, but Mulder took the flowers from him.

"I'll hold them for you, Scully... Thanks, Jeff."

"Hey, no problem..."

They rode the elevator with Jeff for a while until they got to their floor.

As they walked out of the building to the parking lot, Scully kept eyeing Mulder who would not look at her.

When they got to her car, Mulder placed the flowers on the passenger's side near the driver's seat as Scully got in.

"OK, Mulder, what's the big deal about these flowers, they don't seem to be bothering you this time...?"

"Why don't you read the card, smart-aleck...?"

Scully pulled the card out to read as Mulder checked his pockets for his own keys when he spotted Agent Spivey walking through the parking lot.

Mulder was certain that Spivey saw him and kept his eyes on him not missing a single step that fuckhead took. Mulder could tell that Spivey was looking nervous even if he couldn't see his whole face.

It wasn't until Spivey reached his car that he came face to face with Fox Mulder several yards away.

Waving at Agent Spivey, Mulder made sure a certain finger was higher than the rest.

Spivey got into his car quickly, vowing to take the advice of his friend Berman. Not only was he going to stay away from the Angel Scully, but the Devil Mulder as well.

"Oh, Fox..." Scully looked up at him with love in her eyes.

He could be such an angel.

As much as they wanted to kiss, they held back knowing they would be together soon.

"I'll see you in a while, Scully..."

"You too, Mulder..."

Somewhere In The World.

Fox Mulder danced forever in her mind. Her distraction and dreams of their lives, she once had with him and would again.

For Diana Fowley still loved her Fox Mulder... The End...

Summary: In every town, everyone has their opinions.

Somewhere In Nebraska

Sheriff Springs thought for a moment he had seen something.

From the corner of his eye, he could have sworn he saw those two FBI agents kissing, but when he turned back they were quite a good distance away from each other.

The female agent named Scully, was busy writing something in her small black notebook as the other agent... Mul... Mulder was busy looking around the crime scene area sucking hard on his bottom lip.

Weird.

They were both weird.

Especially that Mulder.

Some of the shit that came out of his mouth, about the case they were investigating, right out of a science fiction comic book.

Sheriff Springs never thought of himself as a stupid man, but when he heard the two agents talking up a storm about the case, he felt like he needed a dictionary just to keep up with the words they were using.

Weird.

He would be glad when these two were the fuck out of his town.

Cook Harper had seen many travelers come through his diner.

Some faces were lost. Yet there were many faces he would never forget, especially the young couple that came by here more than three hours ago.

They were not hard to miss. A man in a dark suit, and a pretty redhead dressed like a business-lady.

They didn't come into the diner quietly either as they argued with each other.

Harper thought he had overheard the words,'aliens' and 'spaceship'.

'Must be some kind of new movie out for the young folks?' Harper had decided.

Science fiction was not Harper's style, but he loved the Westerns.

The young couple took the booth at the end of the diner where Harper could still hear them fighting. It was something about the lady giving the guy a new place to shit which Harper found quite ill for such a pretty little thing to say.

Betsy Newman walked up to the young couple seated in the back. She waited a few minutes before approaching them to give them time to view the menu but neither one of them had looked at, yet.

She decided it was best to see if they wanted anything to drink.

"... you're wrong, Scully. Why can't you see that?!"

"I have seen plenty, Mulder. What you thought you had seen or expect me to see wasn't there. Learn to accept it."

"Evening, folks, can I get you anything to drink?"

"Coffee for me, please," The redhead answered.

"I'll have coffee, too. Also, I would like to have some iced tea as well..." The cute guy answered.

"Good Lord, Mulder, why don't you just shoot pure caffeine into your veins? And hot and cold drinks at the same time? You're going to upset your stomach."

"I don't have to worry about that, you're doing a good job of it..."

When Betsy returned with their drinks, the young couple seemed to have made a truce while they studied the menu.

"Here you go, folks. Are you ready to order?" Betsy asked.

"I am. What about you, Scully?" The cute guy spoke.

"Hmm, is this chicken fried or baked? It doesn't mention it in the menu?" The redhead asked.

"Fried, dear. Everything here is fried," Betsy answered.

"Wonderful. OK, just give me a moment..." The redhead frowned.

"I'm going to order now, I'm hungry..." The cute guy spoke up.

"Like that's anything new..." The redhead commented.

Betsy never seen such a look come from any man before. It was true, if looks could kill but the redhead never looked up from the menu and most likely it would have never worked on her.

"... OK, I like to have your bacon cheeseburger. Rare, with extra pickles on the side..." The cute guy ordered.

"Not rare, Mulder... have the meat cooked thoroughly," The redhead spoke.

"When did you become my mother?" The cute guy frowned.

"You don't want me to answer that, Mulder... not in public... OK, I would like to have your turkey sandwich on wheat bread toasted, not grilled, please. NO mayonnaise... and do you have streamed vegetables? I would love to have those instead of french fries," The redhead asked.

"No, dear, we don't. But we do have a salad on the side. Would you like that instead?" Betsy offered.

"That's perfect. Thank you," The redhead smiled.

"What kind of salad dressing would you like?" Betsy asked.

"No, dressing, please... oh, and be sure to cook his meat thoroughly..." The redhead ordered.

"Dana!!" The cute guy shouted.

"I don't mean to offend your meat supplier, it's just that he has a weak stomach and I would like to get some sleep instead of being in the Emergency all night..." The redhead remarked.

Betsy left them as the cute guy said some offhand comment to the redhead that Betsy would rather not repeat.

Jim Hagen walked into the diner. He couldn't help overhearing the young couple as he took the table across from them.

"... I just don't want to see you get sick again, Fox. That's all."

"I like it rare, Dana. I like to see the pink in the meat. And that wasn't what made me sick!"

"Did you remember to leave the fish food out for Mom to find?"

"Was I suppose to?"

"Damn it, Fox!! I don't want Mom to go off and buy more fish food like the last time. I hope you put your magazines away in case she looks around for the food..."

"Uh... you don't think she'll go into the bedroom, do you?"

"Why?"

"Well, I think I forgot to put away..."

"Hi, Jim... the usual?" Betsy appeared before him.

"You bet, Bets," Jim smiled at the waitress.

Betsy rolled her eyes up, so original.

Without meaning to, Jim glanced at the table across from him. From the looks of it, the redheaded girl wasn't at all pleased with the fellow she was with.

Jim had seen that angry look a hundred times before with the many wives he had over the years.

The fellow with the big nose was wearing a hung dog look of defeat.

Jim knew who wore the pants in that family.

"Here you go, Betsy..." Cook Harper rested the plates for the young couple on the counter.

He had overheard the guy in the suit wanting his meat raw but the little redhead told him, no.

The one thing Harper did not care for, was when a person told another person what they could or couldn not have. He left the meat pink and hoped the guy in the suit had enough sense not to let the little redhead see his burger.

Betsy carefully carried the hot plates to the young couple in the back. Having quieted down some since she last checked on them, both of them seem to be talking peacefully to each other.

"... as soon as we get back to Washington, I'm going to have that checked out..." The cute guy said.

"It might also be wise to refer to the medical files, as well, Mulder. I'll do that as soon as we get back to the motel," The redhead said.

"Here, you go, Folks," Betsy looked at them cautiously. Not catching the whole conversation, Betsy wondered if the cute guy was sick after all.

Jim Hagen read his newspaper with little interest, it was the same shit everyday, shoot-outs, and government officers in sex scandals.

"God, those fries look delicious! Can I have one, Fox?"

"No, you should have ordered them yourself."

"Please, Fox, can't I just have one?"

"Well, what do I get in exchange?"

Jim took another sip of his coffee as he turned the page.

"Dana, get your foot out of there!! I won't be able to stand up!!"

"Ha, Ha!! Can I have one now?"

"Here..."

"Oh, my God! Look how long this one is!!"

"Makes you think about last night... huh, Dana?"

"What about last night?"

Jim Hagen took another sip of his coffee.

Bunch of sick-os.

Gus Miner started his night shift at the motel when he spotted the well-dressed couple coming out of their car.

It was two days ago, the weird couple checked in just before Gus got off his shift.

From the way they were talking and walking, Gus assumed they were a married couple, but to his surprise, they asked for separate rooms.

Noticing they had different last names, Gus figured the two must have been fuckin' each other on the side. Not being one to stop love or lust, Gus gave them the two rooms that were connected together.

They had to be fuckin' each other, who could pass up that lovely tasty redhead with the little outfit showed all her curves down to her legs. Unless the guy was a fag, Gus doubted it if the geek could pass up such a meal that was only a doorstep away.

Walking to their rooms that were not far from the office, Gus could hear them talking. Not too clear, but he did catch a few words.

"Scully... what... do you?"

"No... not... wait, Mulder... we can... whatever!!"

They both went into their separate rooms as Gus got back to his comic book and Frito's.

When Gus started his evening shift the next night, he spotted the pretty redhead walking to the ice machine as he pulled in.

Nothing out of the ordinary, except she was still in the same clothes he had seen her in the night before, looking lovely as could be.

Fantasizing what he would do to the pretty redhead if she were his girl, Gus covered his crotch area with his comic book, when he got out of the car.

By the look on the pretty redhead's face, the geeky guy probably didn't have much of a third leg on him. Leaving Gus to imagine himself fuckin' the red out of the pretty redhead's hair.

Gus walked into the office, when the pretty redhead passed him by.

Three hours later, Gus munched on a bag of Frito's as he watched televison. He heard voices coming from the direction of the rooms that the weird couple was in. Stepping out from one of the rooms was the geeky fellow and right behind him was the pretty redhead, all in a new outfit.

Continuing to shove Frito's into his mouth, Gus watched the couple, and wondered if they had just finished fuckin' each other.

"Fox, stop for a second..." The pretty redhead told the geek.

Gus couldn't see what was going on, because the geek had his back to him covering the redhead.

"There..."

"Is that better?"

"Much better..."

"Can we go now? They're waiting for us..."

"Yes... oh, wait a minute... just one more thing, Mulder..."

Again, Gus could not see anything with the geek's back to him and the darkness of the night preventing him from having a better view.

Just want was the pretty redhead doing?

"Dana, don't do that... not out here!!"

"I just want it to be straight..."

"Leave it alone, I can do it myself..."

"If you could do it yourself, you would have done it right the first time..."

"Can we go now?"

"Yes, we can go now. Don't be mad, Mulder..."

"Well, you're the one who's always saying we should be businesslike..."

The geek got into the driver seat as the pretty redhead sat in the passenger side. Gus got back to his Frito's and televison, when the weird couple drove away.

Mrs. Dorothy Marshall could not take her eyes off the FBI agent that was speaking to her husband. He was such a nice looking boy. Even with his nose, he had a hunk look to himself just like those movie stars.

OK, he wasn't Brad Pitt still she wouldn't mind a roll in the hay with this government strong man.

Looking over to the other FBI agent, Mrs. Marshall could tell she was a bitch. Miss HIGH AND MIGHTY,'I got a badge and a life' look to her face.

Well, maybe some of us may not have a fancy career, but we DO have a life. Thank you very much.

Mrs. Marshall took another look at the FBI agent standing next to her short dopey husband.

She imagined the body that was under all the layers of clothing the government hunk worn. His height was so perfect that Mrs. Marshall wouldn't mind asore neck from looking up at that charming boyish face.

Mr. John Marshall felt like any minute his ass was going to be haled off to jail.

The sheriff didn't believe him. The other FBI agent gave him the look of disbelief.

The tall fellow on the other hand, was taking every word he said as the God-awful truth, because it was.

To finally find someone, who believed in him was indeed a God-sent that John Marshall prayed for.

The FBI guy was a smart and understanding man. He made John Marshall feel he wasn't going nuts. What he had seen was reasonable and possible.

The words of a sane man.

She was pretty on the outside but she was sure ugly in the inside.

The nasty bitch made him feel no more than an inch tall, worse than his wife, Dorothy would do.

For every answer he had, she would nit-pick each word until John Marshall was unsure of himself and what he had seen.

The FBI guy was getting really streamed.

Sheriff Springs walked ahead of the FBI freaks as they argued with their big fancy words that made the Sheriff feel like he was from another planet.

As Sheriff Springs reached his car, the two wack jobs suddenly shut up. Turning his head to say something, Sheriff Springs again, could have sworn he saw the two agents kissing each other, lockjaw and everything.

But when Springs faced them, the two agents were close to each other yet there was no way their lips were connecting as they stared at each other with killer looks. Their arms crossed as they silently challenging each other.

Sheriff Springs planned on killing his deputy for asking for Laurel and Hardy's help.

Casey and Jill Thompson watched from a distance while the sheriff and his deputy roped off the area.

A small crowd grew around as the Thompson siblings tried to move in for a closer look.

Hearing from their friend Cindy that someone had seen a body out in the fields near the old road, had sparked the interest of the two nosy brats.

It was a weird body, a monster's body... maybe an alien's body?

"Cool!!" The siblings shouted as they rode their bikes away.

Save for the sheriff, his deputy, a guy in a dark suit and a redheaded lady, the Thompson children were the first to arrive before any other grownups showed up.

Pointing to the direction he wanted his sister to see, Casey was certain he saw the dead alien's feet.

The guy in the dark suit kept pointing to alien's feet as the redheaded lady kept touching them. The next thing they knew was the redheaded lady yanked the foot right off the alien, skin and all!!

Casey Thompson stood awestruck as his sister Jill rode her bike away to the nightmares she would have.

Gus Miner paid no attention when the geeky guy and the pretty redhead returned to the motel. So taken in from the new issue of Spiderman that the crash he heard, coming from one of the rooms near the office, brought him back to the living.

Running with his flashlight, Gus passed quite a few guests who also heard the crash that came from the pretty redhead's room.

Banging on the door, it opened to the prettiest sight Gus had ever seen in his life.

Standing before him, the pretty redhead stood with her hair messed in a frizz. Her big blue eyes bared a shocking look of loveliness. The bathrobe she wore only hid her body below the chest that showed her wearing a grey T-shirt with the words 'New York Knicks' printed on it. Her nipples pressed against the cloth of the T-shirt that caused Gus to gasp in total delight.

"I'm sorry... the bed broke..." The pretty redhead spoke, her voice sounded nervous, but also angel-like.

It was then that Gus saw coming from the connecting door was the geek fellow only in a pair of sweat pants. From the look on his face, it seemed as though he had been doing a major workout.

"Scully, are you all right?"

"I'm fine, Mulder... the bed broke..." The pretty redhead spoke with her eyes remaining large as her body moved stiffly toward the geek.

Giving a big smile, there was no way for Gus to miss the bulge coming from the geek's crotch covered area.

Sheriff Springs drove down the main road. He was glad to be finally free of the two FBI agents.

The case was solved. No mystery to be left. It was just as he figured, a no brain.

Parking behind it, Sheriff Springs approached the car with his weapon drawn.

A light danced inside the car when Sheriff Springs stood beside the driver's side to find Agent Mulder holding a small flashlight between his teeth and a large, unfolded road map that covered part of his body.

Removing the flashlight from his mouth, Agent Mulder stared back in surprise," Hey, Sheriff Springs!!"

"Agent Mulder..? What the fuck are you doing out here? I thought you and Agent Scully were heading back to Washington...?"

"We are!!" a voice called from behind the large map toward Mulder's right.

Pulling Agent Mulder's arm down, along with the map, Agent Scully stared back at the Sheriff with her large blue eyes. Springs had to admit they were the prettiest eyes he had ever seen.

Her fingers moved across her lips, Agent Scully seemed to be wiping something away.

"Yeah... We got lost... just pulled over to check the map..." Mulder added as he kept the map over his lap.

"Lost? All you have to do is stay on the fuckin' road and it will take you where you need to go..."

"Oh, yeah... Well, thanks, Sheriff Springs... you have a good evening... and nice working with you..."

Agent Mulder started the car and drove away before Sheriff Springs could reply.

It didn't matter, Springs was glad as shit that those two Fuck I.B.'s were gone for good.

"SHIT!! That was too fuckin' close, Dana!!" Fox Mulder turned to his beloved.

Throwing the map away from him, the unfinished blow-job hurt his groin.

Having to behave themselves throughout the case, Mulder felt like a bomb that was ready to go off. It was hard for him not to want to jump all over Scully when they were alone. Mulder even wished Scully and he had broken the bed instead of the screws being loose on the bed frame.

Thank God or whomever, Scully wasn't hurt at all. Mulder was sorry he couldn't get out of the bathroom fast enough when he heard the crash.

Reaching over to rub the tip of his penis, Dana Scully smiled at him.

It was her idea for them to pull over when she told Mulder he was going in the wrong direction on the road. When he pulled out the map, cursing, Scully bent over to his lap and unzipped his pants to take him in.

Thanks to the sheriff, Scully's work was not done... yet.

"As soon as we are out of this small town, love... I want you to pull over, so I can finish you off..."

"Yes, ma'am!!!" Fox Mulder drove the car into the night.

Disclaimer: The characters of the X-Files do not belong to me. They are the property of Chris Carter, 1013 Productions and Fox Broadcasting. No copyright infringement is intended.

Summary: Fox's 38th birthday is coming up, can he handle it?

Maggie Scully's House: Afternoon

Dana Scully shook her head at her mother.

"He's not going to like it, Mom..."

"How could he not like it, Dana? It's his birthday!"

"Mom, Fox is not comfortable around large crowds and he definitely doesn't like being the center of attention. It will drive him nuts!!"

"No, it won't, Dana... I don't believe that. Everyone loves to have a birthday party... and Fox is no exception."

"At least, let me warn him, Mom. A surprise party is really not a good idea..."

"Dana, are you done with the list of his friends?"

Letting out a sigh, Dana handed over the list to her mother, and watched her face drop from the shortness of the names.

"This is it? Dana, he has to have more friends than this...?"

"Unless he has some friends hidden under his couch, that's it, Mom. Fox is not a friendly person..."

"What about your boss? Would he like to come? Didn't you tell me he plays basketball with some of the people at your job?"

"That's all, Mom. The guys he plays basketball with only play basketball with him... that's as far as his relationship with them goes... As for Skinner, I don't know, I could ask..."

Though Dana would rather not, her distrust toward Skinner still existed. The discomfort between them was felt by all. Fox, who did not share the same feelings as Dana did, believed in Skinner. Despite the course of action he had taken a few months ago.

"Put their names on the list. You would be surprise what people can do. Maybe Fox should give those men more of a chance to be friends outside of basketball."

"Mom, I have overheard these men make fun of Fox. If I ever told him what I have heard, he would be playing shoots by himself. You really don't need to give these guys more ammo to use against him. There are a lot of people who wouldn't shed a tear for Fox."

Saying all of this, made Dana to feel sad about Fox. It was all true.

Poor Fox.

Maggie lifted an eyebrow. Though she had always been aware of Fox lacking a social life, it was still hard to imagine a person not having friends or love ones around. Fox fell into a category that was foreign to the ever friendly and family oriented Maggie Scully.

"Well, then, we'll have to invite our friends. Have Fox meet new people outside of work. It would do him good..." Maggie had decided.

Dana sighed again. She knew none of this was a good idea.

Fox would end up hiding his head in the sand and not come out until everyone was gone.

Still, his birthday was a month away, enough time to try and talk her mother out of it.

Fox Is Dreaming.

He also heard his parents fighting through the walls.

When Fox Mulder opened the door, he was no longer a child but a man who now had to face the dream.

The sounds of fighting came at him strong. Words that made no sense as he tried to hear them.

His sister Samantha stood near the stairs, listening and watching.

"Fox..." She sounded a million miles away.

As he approached her, Fox felt someone take his hand.

"Fox..." A child's voice spoke to him.

There by his side, was a small boy who held a tight grip to his hand. The boy's features reminded Fox of his own face when he was young but the boy was not him.

"Fox..." The young boy spoke again," Please don't go that way... It's the wrong road to take..."

The boy resembled him, but Fox knew he was not the child, as he stared into his eyes.

"Who are you...?"

"Fox!!" Samantha screamed for him.

He turned to his sister's voice, when another boy appeared beside him. Much older than the first, his features were similar to the younger boy.

"Don't listen to her, Fox... Samantha doesn't need you anymore..."

When he heard the older boy's cruel words, it sent Fox into a rage.

"Samantha does need me!! I'm supposed to take care of her!! Dad said I'm supposed, too!! I'm her big brother!! That's what you are supposed to do!!"

Undisturbed by Fox's harsh voice, the older boy merely answered," That's not true anymore... You done all you could for her... Let it be, Fox... Let her go..."

Feeling a tug on his hand, Fox returned to the first boy, whose face was crumbled in concern," Please, Fox...?"

"Fox!!!" Samantha screamed again.

Breaking free of the first boy's grip, Fox ran passed the second boy.

He didn't care what those stupid kids were telling him.

Samantha needed him.

She always did.

"Fox..." A little girl stepped in front of him with another boy with auburn hair and his face was much like the other two boys.

The little girl's eyes enchanted him, Fox recognized a familiar glee that sprinkled in them with the little girl's bright smile.

"The past doesn't need you anymore, Fox... but the future does..."

Turning her head to the side, Fox followed the little girl's direction as the door opened to a room where Dana Scully stood. Her smile beamed the love she had for him.

"It's right there in front of you, Fox..." The first boy took his hand again.

"As clear as the nose on your face..." The second boy spoke as he pointed to his nose.

"Let it go, Fox..." The little girl spoke.

The other boy nodded his head in agreement.

"But Sam needs me... she needs me..." Fox fell to his knees as his body curled to the floor.

"We need you more..." The voice spoke as Fox felt the embrace of many young arms around him.

The dream ended and was lost when Fox Mulder opened his eyes.

Friday, October 1st: FBI Headquarters

Mulder tore the large sheet from the wall calendar, with the month of October shining before him.

It was the month of his birthday.

Fox Mulder was going to be thirty-eight years old.

God, he hated to get old. Why did the time have to go by so fast?

Still feeling like a kid, Mulder's experience told a different story. Most men his age never lived the life he had and still was. If he ever wrote an autobiography, it would be called fiction.

Remembering the last few birthdays Mulder had with Scully would always end up with him fussing and her threatening as she would drag him out for lunch. Even with her promise of not having anyone singing 'Happy Birthday' to him, Mulder still made a scene that left Scully to roll her eyes up.

Always expecting a gift from Scully and her mother, they were the only presents Mulder would receive. The rest of his birthday was spent at his apartment staring at the card his mother would sent to him. It always led to him either getting drunk or crying... or both.

This year, if anything, had a new meaning to it. Dana was with him, not only as his friend but as his lover as well. It made the celebration of each day more special than the first.

Dana Scully walked into the office, smiling at Mulder who arrived to work earlier than she. Having spent the night without him caused Scully to miss him terribly from her bed.

Mulder's evening was spent with the Lone Gunmen, doing 'God knows what on the Internet', even after they had explained it to Dana and even invited her to join them, she took a pass on their offer.

Some of the things they did together, was not always Dana's cup of tea.

Once the door was closed behind her, Mulder moved up to kiss Scully passionately on the lips.

"I miss you last night, honey..." Mulder spoke once he separated from Scully.

"Well, no one told you to go and play with the boys, sweetie..." Scully stood on the toes of her shoes and kissed him again.

Placing down her belongings, Scully noticed the calendar and what was written on the first day of October. Their meeting with Skinner was at 10:00 A.M. sharp, two hours from now. Enough time for Scully to review the report once more.

Reviewing the calendar, Scully noticed the events for the next several days. Mulder always marked the calendar but it was rare if they ever followed it. When a case came up, what was ever on scheduled for the day meant nothing to Agent Mulder. Agent Scully would at least make sure it was canceled.

Noticing that one day on the calendar was not filled in, Scully grabbed a pen and wrote in large letters,'Mulder's BIRTHDAY' on the thirteen of October.

"Dana, no..." Mulder postested when he saw what she was doing.

"So, Mulder, have you decided where you want to go for lunch... and dinner?" Scully smiled at him as she put away the pen.

"I have been thinking..." Mulder was now thinking on how to remove what Scully had written on the calendar. He didn't like staring at his birthday in such big letters.

"Well, you better decide, the thirteen will be here sooner than you would expect..." Scully sat in front of the computer bringing up the report.

"How about we just forget it?" Mulder asked as he watched her.

Scully shook her head, same line every year.

"Forget it, Mulder? Never. Start putting on your thinking cap, I want to know your decision by the tenth of the month or we're going to McDonald's..."

"Don't make any promises to me, Scully..." Mulder smiled as he put a pen in his mouth and leaned back in his chair.

Same line every year.

Skinner's Office

Their meeting with Assisted Director Walter Skinner lasted over an hour.

Mulder and Skinner exchanged heated words over the report. There were several items, Skinner insisted on being rewritten or deleted. Mulder refused, insisting that the report should stand as it was written.

With such an exchange, Scully at times felt like the third wheel or the deciding coin. She expressed her views to Skinner, that the report was accurate, but he disagreed and tossed the report in front of Mulder, instructing him to correct it.

Grabbing the report with one hand, Mulder never hid his anger from Skinner, having to get in one last blow before the final defeat.

As the two agents were about to walk out the door, Skinner called out," Agent Scully, I need to speak with you for a moment..."

Exchanging looks, Mulder's expression questioning why but Scully patted him on the arm to reassure him as she walked back to Skinner's desk.

Mulder hesitated, but one look from Skinner sent him out of the room.

"Agent Scully, I want to thank you for inviting me to Mulder's birthday party. After speaking with your mother, I decided to attend..."

"That's great, sir..." Trying not to show her discomfort of being alone with Skinner, Scully showed the professionalism she always possessed, with a smile that did not show what she was really feeling.

Even after a heated argument with Mulder, Skinner never mixed work dispute with off- hours events.

Scully was still against the party but there was no way she could convince her mother otherwise.

"Well, your mother would not take 'No' for an answer..." Skinner smiled. He had to admit Scully's mother was charming. She was definitely an interesting woman to speak with," My only problem is what to get for Mulder? Could you give me any suggestions?"

Scully thought for a moment, it was surprising how easy it was for her to find gifts for Fox.

Already she had purchased for him two new CD-ROM games, three new shirts, a jacket, a new carryall bag, two new CD's that he been wanting to get, a CD portable player, and boxer shorts with hearts and kisses all over.

What could Skinner purchase for Mulder?

"How about a new writing pen, sir?" Scully remembered that Mulder's pen was ruined from his chewing and sucking on it. It had been a gift from Scully a few years ago. It was now ugly to look at but it still wrote perfectly well for Mulder.

Skinner nodded his head in agreement. It was a fine gift to receive from one's superior without it being too personal or too distant.

"That's a fine idea, Agent Scully. Thank you..." Skinner smiled.

Back at the office, Mulder fidgeted around the room.

Tossing crumbled up paper into the trash can, and missing quite a few times, Mulder chewed heavily on his pen and almost cracked it.

Refusing to look at the discard report, Mulder's wait for Scully seemed like forever when the door finally opened and she walked through.

"So... what was that all about?" Mulder got straight to the point.

Trying to come up with an excuse for her staying with Skinner after the meeting, Scully didn't think she could come up with anything that Mulder would believe, what came out sounded lame.

"He just wanted to review my time on the books. It seems I have some vacation time coming up..." Scully sat in front of the computer and pulled the report onto the screen," So, how about we get started on this..."

Mulder knew she was lying. Not once did Scully make eye contact with him.

Fine. If that's how she was going to be, he won't bring it up.

Evening: Dana's Apartment

Dana noticed the time on the kitchen clock. It was after 7:00 P.M. Fox would be here soon.

Checking the chicken she was making for dinner, Dana hoped a good meal would cheer Fox up. He had been such a grouch all day.

Fox never taking fights with Skinner well. Dana knew he hated to be defeated. It seemed to always happen when the two men exchange harsh words between each other.

Fox's Apartment

Fox sat on his couch, fuming.

Dana had lied to him.

Whatever she and Skinner spoke of, Fox was certain he was the main topic.

Wishing he had his basketball with him, Fox left it at Dana's place. Turning to where he used to have the fish tank, it was now at Dana's place, as well.

Moving the tank to Dana's was the only way Fox could save his fish from starvation.

When he came home one day, Fox found the fish eating each other alive.

Almost in tears when he separated them, Fox was filled with guilt for not caring for the fish the way he should have been. The poor creatures had suffered because of his new life.

Now under Dana's care, the fish were thriving, and seemed more content than they ever did at his place even before he and Dana were a couple.

The new change had done well for the surviving fish, just as the change of life had done for him. Right now Fox was not appreciating it.

Turning on the television, Fox promised Dana he would be at her place by seven-thirty for dinner.

It was a few minutes after.

She could wait a few minutes more.

Dana's Apartment

It was around 8:30 P.M. when Fox Mulder finally showed up for dinner. The meal was cold but not ruined. A quick pop in the microwave solved the problem.

Exchanging only a few words between each other, Dana could see that Fox was still in a foul mood.

As she was about to serve his plate, Fox lifted his hand to block her.

"You mind?! I can do it myself!" He growled at her.

"All right, fine..." Dana placed the portion of food on her plate.

They were silent as they served themselves dinner. The quietness came with the uneasiness of Fox's mood was evidence all over his face.

Out of habit, Dana lifted the pitcher of iced tea to pour into his glass when Fox roared his disapproval at her.

"Goddamn it!! Didn't I just say I can serve myself?!! I'm not a fuckin' baby!! What are you afraid? That I'm going to make a mess of myself, like this?!!"

Fox purposely knocked his plate that caused some of his food to splatter on the table, making Dana jump.

"Damn you, Fox Mulder!! Just because you can't handle a disagreement with Skinner, you are NOT going to take it out on me!!"

"Fuck, Skinner!! You lied to me!!"

"What?!!"

"Don't give me that bullshit look!! I know Skinner was talking about me to you... NOT ABOUT ANY FUCKIN' VACATION Time!!! WHAT DOES HE WANT YOU TO DO, Dana?!! PUT ME IN LINE?!!! SCREW ME A COUPLE of MORE TIMES TO SHUT ME UP!!!"

"NO!!!" Dana brought her fist down hard on the table making it shake. Now standing over him with her hands on her hips, Dana fumed at him," YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT Skinner AND I WERE TALKING ABOUT?!! FINE!!! NEVER MIND THAT IT WILL RUIN THINGS!!! HE WANTED TO KNOW WHAT TO GET YOU For YOUR FUCKIN' BIRTHDAY!!!"

Quickly turning away from him, Dana moved from the table not wanting to look at him.

"What?!!" Fox still couldn't believe her answer.

Skinner never gave anyone of them a gift before, not even for the holidays.

"Why? Why would Skinner want to give me a gift for?"

"Because he is invited to a surprise birthday party my mother is having for you..."

There the cat was out of the bag, and Dana was glad for it. That was one secret she hated holding on to.

Fox sat there dumbfounded. Knowing this time Dana wasn't lying to him.

A surprise birthday party?!! That was something he knew he couldn't handle well.

Having only one birthday party as an adult, it was a disaster that Fox wanted to forget.

"Dana, I don't want a party..."

"That's fine with me, Fox. This was not my idea. I was against it because I know how you feel about these things. It's not my heart you'll be breaking. You want this party ended, you go talk to my mother..."

"Mom... Oh, shit..."

Fox Is Dreaming.

His parents' home.

Everything was so clear to him.

As he moved about more like a spirit than a true form, Fox felt someone take his hand. He looked down to a younger face of his.

"Hi, Fox..." The little boy smiled at him," I want to show you something..."

Allowing the child he believed to be himself, Fox followed the boy passed the living room where his parents stood fighting.

"WHERE The HELL, DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING?!!" Bill Mulder shouted at him.

Feeling the boy's hand tighten around his, Fox returned the same grip, afraid to look at his father. His frightened eyes turned shamefully to the boy.

"Don't listen to him, Fox... It's just the past talking..." The boy reassured him as he placed both his hands onto his.

"YOU PIECE of SHIT!! TURN AROUND WHEN I'M TALKING TO YOU!!!"

"If you turn around, Fox... you take a step back... Too many steps and you will be lost forever..." The boy told him.

"I'm afraid..." Fox felt more shame for admitting his fears to a child.

"You don't have to be afraid anymore... Not when there are so many people who love you..."

The front door opened and the boy led him away from the past. His father's voice faded when he stepped through the door and into Dana Scully's apartment.

There on the couch, sat Dana with three other children, as she read to them. All three children bared a familiar look. The two other boys had his face. The little girl had Dana's eyes.

All around the room, Fox saw other faces, of friends and family who he loved dearly.

"This is the right way, Fox... It will be bumping at times..." The boy who held his hand spoke.

"The past doesn't have to be forgotten..." A second boy spoke.

"The answers will come soon..." The little girl spoke.

"So long as you stay on this road, Fox... Everything will be clear..." The boy who held his hand spoke once more.

The third boy nodded his head in agreement.

"So long as you know what place is truly home..." The first boy said as he let go of Fox's hand.

Thursday, October 7th: FBI Headquarters

At the office, Mulder was desperately trying to find a case, any case that would get him out of here for the next several days.

Anything so he wouldn't have to go to that party, Mother Scully was throwing for him.

The night, he and Dana had fought they had made up right away. The two of them could never stay mad at each other for long. There was always some way they could forgive each other for their foolishness.

Letting him in on the rest of the details, Dana informed Fox the party was to be the Saturday after his birthday on Wednesday. A belated birthday lunch was really a ploy to get him over to Mother Scully's house for the party.

Leaving everything in his hands, Dana had tried herself to talk her mother out of the party for over a month, but failed. If Fox could find a way, Dana wasn't going to stop him.

She did remind him, however, anything unhanded could hurt her mother's feelings. It was something Dana would not stand for.

Not having the guts to call Mother Scully himself, Fox had no desire to hurt her feelings. There had to be a way for him to get out of the situation and to avoid the embarrassment that came with such a celebration.

Somewhere there had to be a case that required them to do a field investigation that would last for several days.

Of course, it also had to meet with the approval from Skinner, but when did Fox Mulder ever wait for permission to be granted?

Where were the conspiracies when you needed them?!!

The last several days had been fruitless. Not one lead Mulder followed could certify a need for an investigation.

Wishing he didn't feel this way about birthday parties, Mulder could only remember a few good ones he had when he was a kid.

For some reason that even perplexed Mulder was a clear memory of his third birthday party. He could remember it being so much fun with all his cousins who played lots of games with him. His mother baked him a cake in the shape of a cowboy hat, with his name printed in big yellow frosting. Even his father was in a pleasant mood that day. Fox could not recall once being yelled or hit by him.

Of all the presents, he received that day it was a teddy bear Fox loved the most.

For the next few days, Fox kept the bear at his side at all times.

Sleeping, eating and playing with it, Fox even wanted to take a bath with the bear until his mother told him with a firm 'NO!'. Coming to an agreement after the fit he threw, Fox could see the bear sitting on the bathroom counter as his mother gave him a bath.

One morning, his father ripped the bear out of his hands and told Fox that only little girls played with stuffed toys. His father didn't remember having a daughter so the bear had to go.

Fox cried all day for his stuffed friend and even after his father spanked him to shut up about it, he continued crying for the bear.

He never saw his beloved bear again.

On his fourth birthday, Fox ran down the stairs all excited that morning. Expecting his mother to decorate the living room for him like she had done the year before. There was nothing, except his very large pregnant mother resting in the armchair.

"Where my party?" Fox demanded to know.

"No, sweetie, we are not going to have a party this year. Remember I told you that?"

His young mind could not understand the condition his mother was in. Less then a month away from giving birth, Teena Mulder was not up to organizing a party for her little Fox.

He just didn't understand.

"Where my party? Mommy, I wanna party!!"

Fox screamed his protest and stomped his frustration with his feet. His crying was deafening as it echoed throughout the house. Finally Fox's fit stopped when he felt the hard smack to his behind he received from his father.

"Knock it off, you spoiled brat!! You heard your mother, there will be no party this year and there will be NO more parties for you ever, if you don't shut up!!"

Later in the day, his mother ordered him a small cake for his birthday. Fox did like the toy truck his parents gave him, but he really wanted that party.

His fifth birthday was definitely a sign that all his other birthday parties would go downhill from then on.

His sister Samantha, who was about a month away from her first birthday, had ruined his birthday cake. Without meaning too because of her age, she pushed her hand through the layers of cake and frosting wiped Fox's name off the cake.

Fox cried and begged to his mother to fix it, but she was too busy cleaning up his dumb sister to attend to his needs. A hard smack across the back of his head from his father shut him up quick.

That night, in his room, Fox cried into his pillow covering the sounds of his sorrow.

He hated Samantha.

He hated his father.

Fox wished both of them would go away.

Fox Is Dreaming.

He heard the sounds of fighting.

He moved through the house, trying to reach it.

All he wanted was to save what was left of his family.

Each step, Fox took pull on him, as he felt a sudden weight on his hand. There running beside him was a young boy baring his face.

"Stop running, Fox!! Stop running to the past!!" The boy pleaded with him.

"They need me!! They need me!!" Fox shouted back.

"Not anymore, Fox!! Just let it go!!" A second boy who was older than the first appeared on his other side and matched the same speed at which Fox was running.

"Stop running back!!"

"SHUT UP!! I want my parents!! I want everything to be the same!! I want Sam back!!!"

"Why do you want things that are no longer there?!! Don't you know what you have now?!!" Suddenly the older boy slammed his body against Fox causing him to fall down.

Lying on his back, Fox cried out his pain when the older boy wrapped his arms around him.

"I'm sorry, Fox... I didn't mean to hurt you..."

The first boy came to Fox's other side and took his hand," It's OK, Fox... He just wants you to understand..."

"Understand what?!! What do you want from me?!!" Fox shouted at them.

"Peace of mind, Fox... You can have it... if you just let it be..."

Feeling more arms wrapping around him, Fox saw for the first time another boy whose auburn hair framed his face like a mane.

A little girl suddenly appeared and kissed Fox on his cheek. Her eyes were large and blue.

"It's OK, Fox... We're here for you..."

"I'm scared!! Why can't I have these things?!!" Fox confessed.

"You already do, Fox..." Dana suddenly appeared beside him," ... You already do..."

Fox woke up, and the dream faded away.

Wednesday, October 13th: Dana's Apartment-Morning

He grunted a disapproving moan when the alarm clock woke him up from a sound sleep.

Hating the empty space around his arms, he fussed a protest against it by kicking the covers to the side.

Feeling a kiss on his cheek, it was warm and welcoming to him.

"Wake up, Birthday Boy..."

Birthday? Boy?

Fuck!!

He was thirty-eight years old!!

He mourned out another disapproving grunt.

Not another birthday!!

Not another reminder of old age creeping up on him!!

It was now less than a year before he would turn thirty-nine and less than two years before he was forty!!

Fuckin' birthdays. Who needed them anyway?!!

Suddenly he felt something tickling his nose and tried to brush it away. Yet it kept coming back, with a terrible sound and light air blowing on his nose as well.

He growled as the tickling moved to his ear.

"STOP IT!!" He tried to brush it away again when it suddenly stopped.

Feeling some triumph for ridding himself of the unknown annoyance that dared to disturb his sleep it was then he started feeling the kisses around his face.

A huge smile came across as he waited for her lips to touch his.

But it didn't happen.

Instead, he heard her sweet voice sing to him one of the worst songs ever written.

"Happy Birthday (kiss)..." With each lyric she sang a kiss she would give on different parts of his face. When she ended with the last word of the song, her lips met with his.

"Happy Birthday, Fox..." Dana smiled when he opened his eyes to her lovely face.

"I hate birthdays..." was the only thing Fox could say, before he rolled over onto his stomach to go back to sleep.

A big mistake.

"One!!" Dana shouted as she sat hard on his back and pushed his boxers down to expose his bottom to thirty-eight hard smacks she gave to Fox.

Wishing they didn't have to go to work today, Dana made the time to fix Fox his favorite breakfast she would normally do on the weekend.

A huge stack of banana pancakes dripping with butter and maple syrup poured on top was placed before him. Taking one of the sausage links, Fox swirled it in the puddle of syrup that was on his plate and sucked it clean before eating it whole. With a glass of chocolate milk to wash everything down, Fox gave a hearty belch that told of his enjoyment of the meal.

He was in heaven.

Maybe birthdays weren't so bad after all.

When she gave him his gifts, Dana tried to catch the wrapping paper flew all around the living room as Fox tear into his birthday presents Dana gave to him, each one better than the first. Fox playfully demanded more present s but ended up with a smack on his thigh for being greedy from Dana.

After taking a shower together, Dana dressed Fox in her most favorite suit of his, the dark-blue one that made him looked so sexy.

"So, are you going to wipe my ass today, too, Dana?" Fox asked as she was putting on his tie.

It was not the question to ask when Dana pulled the knot up," Don't push your luck today, bad boy..."

Being two hours late for work, Mulder didn't care if anyone noticed but to please Scully, they both entered the building separately. Without causing any unwanted attention as they each headed to the basement office.

As great as the day was going, Mulder was still trying to find something to get him out of the party that was only two days away.

It didn't help either when Mother Scully called to wish him a happy birthday at the office.

"Happy Birthday, Sweetie, are you having a good day, so far?"

"I'm having a great day, Mom, except Dana beat me up this morning..."

"SHUT UP OVER THERE!!!" Scully shouted at him from the other side of the room.

Fox Is Dreaming.

When his eyes opened, he thought it was snowing with colorful snowflakes falling from the sky.

Hearing the laughter he cherished so much with children's laughter blended in, Fox smiled at Dana who tossed flower petals on his face.

The children that surrounded him, three boys and a girl laughed as they too tossed flower petals on Fox.

The boys looked much like him with one of them having Dana's hair color.

The little girl was what he always hoped for with Dana's blue eyes staring back from the girl's young face.

One of the boys reached out and took his hand.

"Daddy, get up... let's go play..."

"Please, Daddy...?" The little girl asked as her eyes sparkled from the sunlight," Let's play..."

"Come on, Dad..." The oldest of the boys came close to his face," Race you!!"

Just as the words were spoken, all four of the children stood to their feet and dashed off with Fox watching them. Dana followed behind them but then stop with her hand reaching out to him.

"Come join us, Fox..." Dana said with her love for him that shined through her smile.

Fox smiled at her, ready to take her hand when he heard the voices of the past shouted out to him.

"Fox!! GET AWAY FROM THERE!! BE WITH YOUR FAMILY!!!"

Bill Mulder stood with his hands resting against his side. His mother looked stern at him as Samantha pleaded with him to stay.

Behind them, were all the people from his past. From the women he once loved, the people who had hurt him to the criminals he had encountered, his past demanded his return to continue the haunting and tearing of his soul.

"Fox... let it be..." Dana reached out again for him with her love never stopping.

With his smile returning, Fox took her hand and gripped tight to his as they race after the children who were waiting for them.

October 15: FBI Headquarters- Mulder's Office

Mulder stared at the back of his nameplate as he twirled the pen in his mouth.

He had failed.

None of the cases he had reviewed required any field investigation.

Having spent time checking the report of three bodies being found half eaten in a matter of two weeks, the file reminded Mulder of the case he and Scully handled earlier in the year.

When he called to inquiry about the case, he learned that the report had not been updated. It turned out to be a pack of wild dogs terrorizing the county line. A farmer and his two sons shot each of the dogs to death. The animals' insides were examined, finding human flesh was found still digesting in their stomach.

'so much for a werewolf story... 'Mulder thought as he tossed the pen on his desk.

Lowering his head into his hands to rest his eyes, Mulder knew there was no way for him to avoid the surprise birthday party tomorrow.

He didn't like the feeling of being trapped, but how could he now back out when so many people planned their day around this event for him?

Why the hell did they have to do this to him?!

Why couldn't they just leave him alone?!

He didn't deserve the fussing.

He shouldn't even bother going at all!!

Why did they have to treat him so... normal?

Mulder couldn't say he had a bad birthday.

Scully had made it all fun for them.

Throughout the day on his birthday, Scully would leave sweet tender notes of her love for him to find either on his desk or on his person. Lunch was at his favorite place where Scully kept her promise not to have anyone sing to him while they were there.

Having been left alone from the office staff and Skinner himself there were no uncomfortable conflicts to damper his spirit.

For dinner, Dana had a pizza with every nasty thing he liked on top, delivered to her home that they ate by candlelight.

Dessert turned out to be his most favorite memory of the day.

Purchasing a small cake for him with his name written on top, Dana stripped her clothing off to reveal the black lace bra and matching panties. After Fox blew the one candle out, Dana took small pieces of the cake and placed them on different parts of her body.

Then she encouraged Fox to eat her up.

Mulder smiled. That was the best birthday cake he ever ate.

Now with the birthday party hovering over his head, Mulder feared the possible outcome could ruin his special birthday memory with Dana.

Being the center of attention had always ended with horrible results, when all eyes were on Fox to witness his world fall apart.

At his seventh birthday party, Fox, his sister Samantha and his party guests ran though the house, pretending to be shooting each other with their toy guns.

Samantha still being small could not keep up well with Fox and the other children.

When they were in one room, Samantha would be catching up with them in the other room. Nearly being knocked over by the other children as they ran from the other direction she was coming from.

It finally happened when Samantha came running from the opposite way again, and was bumped by one of the children. Landing hard on her rump, she screamed more out of surprise than pain.

Fox turned around when he heard her cry out. His father told him Samantha was his responsibility and not to let anything happen to her. When Fox had gone to help her up, he felt his father's huge hand on the back of his neck forcing Fox to face the fury of Bill Mulder's rage.

"I TOLD YOU TO KEEP AN EYE ON HER!!!"

"But, I..." Fox wasn't allowed to answer when his father pulled him toward him and put Fox in a position for a spanking.

Fox ready himself for the pain but not for the sight in front of him. All his friends witnessed his father spanking and yelling insults to him.

Wanting to disappear, Fox never forgot the faces looking at him, even through his tearful eyes.

Saturday, October 16th: Fox's Apartment

He wasn't hiding. If he were she would never have been able to find him.

Sitting in the living room with his eyes resting upon the birthday card from his mother, Fox Mulder was afraid.

To have a birthday party was too normal, too common for a person like himself. Fox wasn't lucky enough to be born under such a star.

He had awakened early in the morning, shaking as the sweat poured from his brow. He hadn't had a nightmare in months. It came crashing at full force toward him. The nightmare of Samantha's disappearance mixed with the old and new memories. There was more to his nightmare, but he had lost it.

In the back of his mind where his childhood memories still tormented him with the image of his sister being abducted. Fox suddenly saw Dana being held against her will by Duane Barry as children poured out of her. Children that were never meant to be.

Forgetting about his sister, Fox pushed the images aside. He reached for Dana, only she mattered to him now.

Trying hard to stop the flood of children escaping her body, Fox used all his strength to give back to her what she had lost.

It was then he felt someone take his hand.

"Fox!!" A young boy called out to him," Don't do that, Fox!! There's no need to punish yourself anymore!!"

"It's my fault!! All of this is my fault!!"

"None of this is your fault, Fox... it never was..."

Freeing his hand from the boy, Fox grabbed the child by the shoulders and pulled him close.

"Who the hell are you to be telling me these things?!! You don't know my life!! You don't know anything!!"

"I know your pain, Fox... It's never easy to let go... but to live with it... that's the greatest challenge of all... I know you can do it... You are strong..."

"I'm nothing..."

"You're everything..." A second boy appeared," That's something you need to see inside of yourself... Stop listening to the past..."

"And let it be..." A young girl wrapped her arms around Fox's chest with her eyes looking up to him. They were so much like Dana's that they enchanted him.

A third boy appeared beside him whose red hair brushed against Fox's arms as he rested on Fox's side.

Studying each of the children, Fox felt a pull and a desire to be a part of them as he embraced them all together.

"Please, tell me who you are?"

"Can't you tell, Fox...?" The first boy took Fox's hand again.

Fox looked into the eyes of the young boy and the resemblances more than in the features, but in the sense of the truth that was revealed.

"It's not easy, Fox... It's a long road ahead of you... but the road you take and move forward with... you will never be alone again..." The boy let go of his hand.

The four children disappeared as the dream ended.

When he arrived at his apartment building, Fox emptied out his mailbox. Along with his bills and junk mail, his mother's handwriting on a pink envelope caught his eye.

Her card was a simple wish for him to have a 'Happy Birthday' and only the signature of 'Mother' was all she had written. With no love proclaimed, Fox rested the card on the coffee table.

Placing his head against the couch, Fox did not notice the time going by and when he heard the key opening his front door, he was not worried about any danger from the person who walked in.

"Fox?" Dana Scully called out.

"I'm in here!" Fox called back.

Dana walked into the living room dressed in a lovely tan suit and her face glow her beauty toward Fox that brought a sudden comfort for him.

Moving cautiously to the couch, Dana sat next to Fox and touched his thigh.

"You had me scared when I couldn't find you... but I figured you would come here..." Dana smiled.

"Really?" Fox gave her a questionable look.

"OK, it was a lucky guess... Fox, you don't have to do this if you don't want to..."

"It's not that I don't want to, Dana... It's just I don't know how? How do I become a part of this, when everything is foreign to me? I don't know what it's like... I never had such things... I kept expecting the worse. I don't deserve to be this happy... but I feel... like I do..."

Dana rested close to Fox. Her face pressing against his as she kissed him.

"You deserve everything... There is no one here to hurt you anymore... The past is gone... The future is right here with you... and with me."

"It still hurts so much..."

"Oh, Fox, if I could, I would take everything away from you, make things right... not to let the past haunt you. If only I could..."

"Don't even try... I just have to learn to go with the flow... and let it be," Fox leaned in and kissed her on the forehead. He then rubbed his nose against the softness of her skin," Give me a moment, and I'll get ready for the party..."

Maggie Scully's Home

Maggie Scully was fanatic.

She called all her guests to hide when Byers called out that Dana's car had pulled into the driveway.

Spending part of last night, and this morning getting everything ready for the party, Maggie had help. Two of her friends came to help with the cooking and cleaning.

Frohike and Byers arrived early in the morning to give their assisted to Mrs. Scully. The Gunmen were fond of Dana's mother and the kindness she had shown to them. They found they were willing to do anything for her. So when Maggie called to ask for their help, none of them had the heart to turn her down.

Putting them in charge of the decorating, bothByers and Frohike needed guidance on how to place items here and there. Their help had cut the work in half and left the whole house beautifully decorated with balloons, streamers, and lots of other decorations for the party.

Langly showed up too late to give a hand but neither Frohike or Byers would buy his excuse.

"You're a dipstick (shit), Langly..." Frohike commented.

"Up your A... (asshole)," Langly replied.

The Lone Gunmen had been the only friends of Fox who were invited to the party. In fact, they were the only ones on the list Dana gave to her mother over a month ago.

Maggie invited a few relatives Fox met during the Fourth of July gathering and many of her friends.

It was an opportunity for Maggie to introduce Fox to all of her friends. Not a single one declined the invitation. None could believe Maggie's youngest daughter had finally found herself a man.

Dana herself invited a few friends from her university days and a friend that she had remained in touch with from high school, whom lived in the area.

Not inviting anyone from work she had befriended, Dana didn't feel the need to confirm any of the rumors that were floating around for years about her and Fox. Dana was protective about their relationship.

Only Walter Skinner was the exception. Having known of their new relationship and her mother's wishes for him to attend had settled any disagreements on Dana's part.

Arriving early, Walter Skinner offered his help to Mrs. Scully as soon as he walked through the door.

"... Thank you, Mr. Skinner, but I'm sorry, Melvin and John had just finished adding the final touches..." Maggie eyed Frohike and Byers who were double-checking the sign they had hung up.

"Walter..." He corrected her. Skinner had met Maggie Scully several times under the most unfortunate circumstances," It seems all of you have done a great job, Mrs. Scully..."

"Maggie..." She corrected him. Maggie had forgotten what a nice looking man Dana's boss was.

Within an hour, all the guests had arrived. Waiting for Dana and Fox was an eternity for Maggie. Keeping her guests comfortable and well fed, she left it up to Byers to inform her when the two of them would arrive.

When Byers finally announced seeing Dana's car coming, Maggie rushed everyone to hide.

Langly hid behind the couch as Frohike joined him.

"I hope I can get up..." Frohike commented as he brought his body down.

"I thought you were already standing..." Langly sneered.

Maggie did not wait for the doorbell to ring twice.

"It's about time you two got here... Lunch is getting cold," Maggie pretended to scold them.

Dana walked in first and hugged her mother," Hi, Mom," She did a quick look around, trying to find some of the guests.

Finally, Fox walked in.

Having instructed her guests to shout surprise when she gave her hellos to Fox, Maggie made her voice loud and clear," Hello, Fox!!"

"Hi..." Before Fox could say another word, the silence of the room came to life.

"SURPRISE!!!" Everyone shouted.

Fox Mulder was amazed at how much he was enjoying himself at his party.

When they drove up to Mother Scully's house, Fox could feel his stomach turning. He thought at any moment he might throw up but Fox managed to keep everything in place.

Seeing all the cars parked around the neighborhood made everything a reality for him.

While waiting for Mother Scully to answer the door, Fox continued to feel his stomach queasy.

Not sure if he could make it to the bathroom or not, Fox was certain that not only would he dirty the ground where he stood but his clothes as well would be covered in his vomit.

When Mother Scully finally opened the door, Fox gently pushed Dana to go in before him.

With his heart racing and his stomach doing somersaults, Fox Mulder entered the living room of Maggie Scully's home to a room filled with three friends, his boss, a few of Dana's family members and lots of strangers, all of them shouting one word to him.

"SURPRISE!!!"

Fox did a turnaround and threw up in the bushes near the front door.

Never did Fox ever expect so many to fuss over him.

After Dana helped him inside, Fox apologized for what he had done. Making an excuse of eating something that was not agreeable with him, the surprise caused him to lose control.

Before Fox knew it, two women he had never seen before took him away from Dana and had him sit down on the armchair to rest. Anoteher woman came up to him with a cup of 7up and instructed Fox to drink it all to calm his stomach while another woman dug into her purse for a packet of crackers for him to munch on to easy his upset tummy.

What Fox really wanted was to go to the bathroom and wash the taste of vomit out of his mouth, but he could not get passed the small crowd of ladies who kept introducing themselves to him.

Finally, Dana came to his rescue and suggested he should go to the bathroom to freshen up. Taking her advice, Fox moved out of his seat before anyone could stop him.

Being in the bathroom gave Fox a few minutes to put himself back together. It was a great way to meet everyone, Fox was certain he left a memorable impression on every guest's mind.

"Idiot..." Fox didn't need to hear his father's voice to insult him, he was doing a good job of it himself," Fuckhead! Throwing up in front of everyone... 'Hey, I'm Fox Mulder... brrraaahhh!!!'"

Still, it wasn't the end of the world and Fox figured it was something to laugh at in the coming years. Something to tell his kids about.

'Want to hear how Daddy made an ass of himself in front of Mommy's friends..?'

Kids. Fox really shouldn't think about children.

Even with the medicine to correct her cycle, Dana would be in tears when she would have a period. Still fearing the possibility of them not having any children would leave Dana miserable and short-tempered.

Though the fault was not on any of their part, the chance of becoming pregnant once more seemed like a fairy tale for Dana. Left only with the promise her body gave to her each month when she menstruated.

All this bothered Fox Mulder from the start.

How could a woman who was tested and proven to be infertile, suddenly become fertile again?

Against all odds, Dana survived yet another crisis to her body. Just as the cancer almost claimed her life, life could now grow inside of her.

How..?

Some months ago, as they lay in bed together, Fox remained awake as Dana slept encased in his arms.

Rubbing her back, Fox's hand soon came upon the soft smooth skin of her neck. His fingers danced across until he felt the scar tissue on the back of her neck. Its presence reminded him of the metal implant that was under her skin, the one thing that prevented the cancer from succumbing Dana to death about two years ago.

The mystery of the chip remained that, a mystery. Enough to know as long as Dana kept it in place, her cancer would not return.

Yet, whatever the metal implant's true purpose was, it too was unknown.

Could it possibly have something to do with Dana's reproduction system?

If so... how?

Just as the chip kept her cancer in check, perhaps Dana's ability to reproduce was controlled by the implant as well... but what or who was controlling the chip..?

Was there a command, that was given to reactivate Dana's cycle, to give back what she had lost..?

Was there someone who took it upon themselves to be God? Who would decide when and if Dana could become pregnant, not simply by the natural act of sexual intercourse but by the decision made by the cruel mind of a mad individual..?

Fox wrapped his arms tighter around Dana.

If this was true... what other hideous crimes could be committed upon his beloved..?

That could bring an end to her world as well as his.

When Fox Mulder came out of the bathroom, Maggie Scully grabbed him by the arm.

"Are you sure you're all right, Sweetie?"

"I'm fine, Mom... just eat the wrong thing this morning..."

"Good... There are some friends of mine I would like you to meet..."

It had taken twenty minutes, but to Fox it felt like three hours as Mother Scully introduced him to every single friend of hers in the house including the ladies he met earlier.

When it was over with, Fox greeted some of Dana's cousins he met at the Fourth of July party. That was a story in itself, Fox was in the same shape as he was earlier, when he first met Dana's family. At least he was able to hold his stomach contents at that occasion.

Glancing around the room, Fox noticed Frohike being surrounded by some of the older ladies as he seemed to be entertaining them with one of his stories.

Langly was involved in a heavy discussion with Father McCue and Byers was in the corner with two men dressed like him.

It was then that Fox caught sight of Walter Skinner at the table serving a plate for himself.

"Hi, Sir, thank you for coming..." Fox stuck his hand out to him as Skinner shook it back.

"Feeling better, Mulder?" Skinner asked.

"Just fine, Sir. Whatever I ate is now out of me. I really could go for something to eat..."

Maggie Scully suddenly popped in front of Fox," What would you like to eat, dear?"

"It's all right, Mom, I'll get it myself..." Fox didn't want to be served like a kid in front of his boss.

"Are you sure, Sweetie?" Fox could feel Skinner's eyes on him when Maggie addressed him in a cutest name.

"Thank you anyway, Mom, but I can handle it..."

Patting him on the arm, Maggie turned to Skinner," How about you, Walter? Do you need anything?"

"No, I'm fine, Maggie. Thanks anyway..." He lifted his plate to show her. Once satisfied, Maggie left the two of them alone.

When Fox turned back to Skinner with a dumb smile on his face, he felt the need to make some excuse for what had just happened. This was something he never expected to do in front of the Assisted Director.

"She cares a lot about you, Mulder..." Skinner commented.

"Yeah, she does..." Fox smiled at the direction Maggie Scully headed off to.

"What about your own mother, Mulder? Will she be coming?"

Not having his mother here, did not cross Fox's mind until Skinner mentioned it. The birthday card she sent him had no meaning to it, a reminder only of the day she gave birth to him with no emotional attachment to it.

"I don't know, I would have to ask Dan... I mean Scully about that..." He corrected himself, not sure if he should call Dana by her first name in front of Skinner.

"You can call her 'Dana' in front of me, Mulder. We're not at the office. In fact, call me 'Walter' while we are here..."

Fox looked at him with surprised but smiled at the offer," Then call me 'Fox'..."

As the party went on, Fox was becoming more and more comfortable with the people he spoke to. Involving himself in several conversations with Dana's school friends, he laughed at each tale they told him about his beloved with Dana denying every single one.

Hanging with the Gunmen, Frohike bragged about the many phone numbers he had stuffed in his pocket from the lovely older ladies who adored him.

Enjoying his talks with Walter Skinner, Fox learned what a huge baseball fan he was, as they both discussed the upcoming World Series with other partygoers on what team had the better chance of winning the series.

Once in awhile, Fox would run into Dana or Mother Scully, asking how he was doing. He admitted to Dana, he was enjoying himself.

Not once did any mention of conspiracies aliens or whatever bizarre unknown things were brought up. None of the people there, except for those who knew him well, were aware of the work Fox did for the FBI. The X-Files was a word that did not exist in their vocabulary.

Feeling his arm being pulled on, Fox turned to Maggie Scully as she called for everyone's attention. It was time for the birthday cake.

Backing against the wall, Fox didn't even think about this happening to him. No one mentioned anything about a birthday cake or what comes with it... singing!! Which meant he would have to stand there like an asshole while everyone in the room, sang off key to one of the worst songs in the world.

Before he could hide his head in the sand, Maggie yanked him to stand beside her and called for everyone to be quiet.

The voices became calm as Fox kept his head face down, not wanting be looked at. He felt extremely stupid.

Seeing a light flashed, Fox looked up to see Dana taking pictures.

Great!! There was evidence of him being an asshole. Thanks, Dana.

"... Now that I have everyone's attention... that goes for you too, Melvin. We have come together to wish Fox a happy birthday. I have known this young man for several years, and I must say that knowing him, has made a very big difference in my life... I never knew it was so boring..."

A few laughed.

Fox fidgeted. Standing still was not one of his strong suits.

This speech was embarrassing.

"... Anyway, I don't believe I could ever express my gratitude toward Fox, for all the things he has done for me. When Dana was gone... he was there for me. I don't think I could have ever survived the ordeal without him. He was my strong arm. When I gave up hope, he remained a believer. I could never thank him enough for what he has done for my daughter and me.

Laughter again.

Fox was now really red. He could hide his face enough. He wished Dana would stop taking pictures!!

Maggie looked at him and saw the redness in his face.

"I'm almost done, Fox. I just want to tell you, how much I love you and think of you as my own. That I could not be more proud of you. I love you, Fox..."

Maggie Scully embraced Fox Mulder and hugged him tight. She would never let him go. He didn't need to be her flesh and blood, Fox was her family now.

Fox held her back just as tight. As much as he hated to display his affection in front of so many people, Fox decided to let it be and held onto his adopted mother.

There were clapping and some tears among the group of friends and family. Dana took one more snapshot before the tears blurred her vision.

One of Maggie's friends rolled out the birthday cake, thirty-eight candles blazed on it. The cake was in the shape of a red fox dressed in a trench coat,'Happy Birthday, Fox' was beautifully printed on it.

Fox admired it as the whole room broke out singing to him. He stood patiently for the song to end with everyone singing with all their heart. Even being off-key did not stop them from the sheer enjoyment of lifting their voices high.

Fox was still a stranger to many in the room, but at that moment they all seemed to have an understanding of the love and compassion that stood up there as Fox Mulder.

As for Fox, none of the birthday parties he had could ever prepare him for such an event. He doubted it he would ever have one like this again.

He was still embarrassed and still wanted to hide, but he fought it.

'Just let it be ', he thought to himself.

The past would always hurt. The Truth could still be found there but the Truth could also be found now and in the future.

Fox felt as if he was on the right road, the perfect road with Dana. They would continue together, that was all that really mattered.

Fox smiled at Dana. Her own smile remained even as she was singing. Her love for him glowed brighter than all the candles on his cake.

Dana readied herself for the next snapshot as they were about to sing the last line.

Finally, when the singing ended, Fox stood over the cake and made a wish, blowing all thirty-eight candles out at once.

The darkness was most welcomed when Fox shed a tear he didn't want anyone to see.

Fox Is Dreaming.

No parents, sister or any other things were there to disturb him.

Fox opened the front door and stepped outside.

A light breeze greeted him when he stared out at the grassy field with a few trees around.

It was then that Fox saw the young boy who held his hand in so many dreams he had forgotten in his awakened state. When they walked toward each other, all the dreams were now clear to Fox.

"Hi, Fox! I'm glad you chose the right path..." The boy smiled at him.

"What do you mean? What was the right path?" Fox asked.

"You let it be..." The boy took his hand and led him into the grassy field," It won't be easy, Fox... Both roads you have traveled have now merged... It won't be a lonely journey you will be taking..."

The boy stopped. There in front of them were the two other children under a huge tree. A young girl happily swung inside a tire that was tied to a tree branch as an older boy sat nearby watching her.

The boy who stood near Fox pointed to the older boy.

"That's David... He didn't mean to be rough with you... He is an old soul that can't wait to be born..."

"David...?"

"Yes, Dana will see his conception and birth like that of David defeating Goliath... David will beat the odds..."

"The girl?" Fox was excited. A son he would have and a daughter. Her eyes were much like Dana's as her hair was the same color as his.

"She is my twin..."

Two sons and a daughter.

Fox's heart ached. He and Dana would have children, not just one, but three children all together.

"What does Dana name you two?"

"It is you, who will name us, Fox... She will be called Ashley... I will be called Aaron..."

"Aaron? Where did I get that name from?"

The boy, who would one day be Aaron, shrugged his shoulders," I don't know everything..."

Fox bent down to Aaron with his eyes filled with joy. How could he express the feelings he had now? He would be a father. The father he never had.

"I promise, Aaron, I'll never hit or yell at anyone of you. I won't talk down or embarrass you in front of your friends. I'll never take anything away that you love. I promise, Aaron, I promise..."

"You don't need to promise these things, Fox... We know you will do your best... We trust you..."

Then the boy would one day be Aaron, turned his head to the side. Fox followed his son's direction to the third boy who stood alone from the others.

A third son, how could he have forgotten?

"What is his name?"

"He will be called Benjamin... but he must travel a different path before he could come home..."

The boy who would one day be Aaron had tears in his eyes and the sadness in the boy's face brought Fox to his knees.

"What's wrong, Aaron? What will happen to him?"

The boy, who would one day be Aaron, stared at the boy who would one day be Benjamin and spoke these words.

"He is yours and Dana's child... but he will not be born from Dana... He will be conceived unnaturally with stolen ovum and sperm... He will grow inside a selfish woman, who will pay for her crimes...We will all meet once as children and as adults, will be enemies for a short time..."

The boy, who would one day be Aaron, lowered his head as tears streamed down his face. Fox hugged his soon-to-be son. The words the child had spoke, bared too much truth to them when Fox's eyes wandered to the figure that stood alone with his hair red as the sun.

Moving away from Aaron, Fox ran to the other boy taking him into his arms.

"Benjamin, I'll help you... I won't let them do this to you... I..."

"There is nothing you can do, Fox... Benjamin must take this road to creation and join us in another time..." The boy who would one day be Aaron pulled on his arm.

Fox came down to Aaron's level with the boy who would one day be Benjamin still in his arms.

"Why?!! Why are you letting me know all these things?!!"

The boy who would one day be Aaron stared into his father's eyes as his own sorrow still masked his face.

"He will be all right, Fox... He will come home to us... We will be a family... He will love us, as we will love him... I'm sad that he must go through this before he can find the right path that will lead him to us..."

"Why tell me this?"

"You will not remember this, Fox... That's the trouble about dreaming with spirits... Only in your heart will you remember as your conscious mind will forget... It must be this way..."

The boy, who would one day be Aaron brought his hands to his father's face.

"We will be together soon, Father... You and Mother must take your path... There is much danger ahead... The tasks you must perform..."

"Why tell me all of this, Aaron? Why did all of you helped me?" Fox asked as he held onto his soon-to-be son, Benjamin, who buried his face into his father's neck and held him tight.

The boy who would one day be Aaron, tilted his head as a smile appeared that Fox would one day see.

"Because we love you, Fox..."

Aaron leaned over and kissed his father on the lips.

He spoke one word," Aaron..." but he didn't know why he said it.

Summary: Can Dana forgive Fox for the secret he kept from her?

"... he (Mulder) has some kind of oral fixation..." David Duchovny from 'Inside the X-Files...'

Somewhere In Chicago

Monday, November 22nd: Afternoon

Dana Scully let out a sigh. She wondered if this might be the worst Thanksgiving she would ever have.

Two days away from the holiday, Dana was trapped in a motel room during one of the worst storms to hit Chicago. It didn't help either that the airport was crowded with passengers heading to visit their families for Thanksgiving.

Many flights were canceled including the one she and Fox Mulder were to take back home.

Home.

Planning to remove the turkey today to start the defrosting, Dana had lots of shopping left to do. Her mother and the Lone Gunmen were to be their guests for dinner that night.

Why did Skinner have to volunteer them to go to that conference? Why would anyone have a stupid conference the weekend before Thanksgiving?!

It wasn't fair!! This was going to be the best Thanksgiving ever!!

Dana pulled the blankets over her head. Needing to call her mother and the Gunmen to suggest they make backup plans if they were unable to make it home in time. Even if they were to leave in a few hours, Dana doubted she could make the dinner she had planned on.

Spending the last few weeks going over every food magazine she could find, Dana even went on the Internet to search for recipes and how to handle the turkey properly.

She was rusty. Not having made a turkey dinner since she was with Jack Willis during their first and last Thanksgiving together.

Hearing the knock on the door, Dana got up to answer it. She knew who it was.

"Shit!! It's cold out there!!" Fox Mulder came hurrying in with a small brown paper bag filled with food from the liquor store near the motel. Having spotted the store still opened Fox dared the storm for the items he had in his hands.

Rushing to take in her warmth, Fox wrapped his wet, cold body around Dana who angrily pushed him away.

"Get off of me!! You're too cold and wet!!" Dana shouted.

Great!! Her T-shirt was now ruined! Slipping it off, Dana exposed her bare breasts to Fox.

"But I wanted you to warm me up..." Fox whined but did love the view before him.

Seeing that Dana wasn't buying it, he tossed the bag on the bed as she slipped on another T-shirt.

"I killed it, you skin it..." he announced.

Dana was hungry and the roads were too dangerous to travel to any place to eat. Opening the bag she discovered junk food heaven. There were two packages each of Twinkles, HO-HO's, M & M' s with peanuts, chocolate chip cookies in a small package, gum, potato chips and a bag of sunflower seeds.

"Nothing to drink?" Dana was already complaining.

Out from his pocket, Fox produced two cans of soft drinks.

"They were out of coffee, best I could do..." He handed the drinks to her and then snapped his fingers together," Oh, I almost forgot..." Fox pulled out from under his coat a bottle of whiskey," For later..."

Taking the bottle from him, Dana wasn't in the mood to drink and placed it on the side of the bed. During the night, it would be forgotten and the cleaning woman would consider it one of the best tips she ever received.

As Fox walked into the bathroom, Dana pulled out a package of Twinkles and M & M's for her to eat.

Covering herself with the blankets as she crawled back into the bed, Dana looked for the remote control. Once found, she turned on the television to look at for any reports on the weather. It was not hard to find with every channel devoting their time to the storm.

"Hey, Dana!! Wanna take a shower with me?!" Fox called out from the bathroom.

"No, thank you..." She wasn't in the mood.

Thanksgiving came back to her mind. It just wasn't fair! Dana had everything so well planned from when she was going to defrost the turkey to the pumpkin pies she was going to make from scratch.

"Why not?" Fox came out of the bathroom, completely nude.

A grin came across her face. He looked so cute standing there all naked with his little potbelly sticking out. It didn't matter how much Fox would exercise, that stomach stayed.

Already she could see another part of his body coming back to life after being out in the cold. It wasn't enough to make Dana want to join him.

"I don't feel like it..." was her answer.

Fox walked over and got into bed with her. Pulling the blankets over himself, he cuddled close to her.

"You know, we never did try out that theory about the sleeping bags. Wanna try it with me now?" Fox asked.

"First off, this is not a sleeping bag..." Dana informed him.

"Can't you pretend?"

"Can't you grow up?!"

They were both silent for moment watching the TV together.

"Don't worry, Dana, we'll be home for Thanksgiving..."

"What difference does it make? All my plans are ruined. I was going to bake pumpkin pies... from scratch... using the pumpkins from Halloween..."

"Aren't those pumpkins no good anymore?"

"No, silly, after Halloween, I cut and boiled them up. They're sitting in the freezer waiting to be used..."

"Well, we could always have Thanksgiving dinner on Friday..."

"It's not the same, Fox..."

They continued to watch TV, Fox moved closer to Dana to get warm. He didn't feel like getting up to redress. Dana's body and the blankets were doing the trick.

Dana turned to look at him for a moment. He certainly was acting differently than he would around this time of the year.

November was not only the month of his sister's birthday, but the month she had disappeared. A subject he rarely brought up these days. Save for the times he mentioned his sister when he talked about his childhood, Fox seemed not to be so troubled about the events that took places all those years ago.

Was this a sign he was starting to let go? Holding on to the past was something he didn't need to do anymore? Dana could only pray to God for it to be true.

"What are you looking at...?" Fox snapped her out of her thoughts," It's my nose, isn't it? I know it's big..."

"No, it's not..."

"Please, Dana, you can land a UFO on it..."

"You got a cute nose... a cute BIG nose!!" She laughed as he stuck his tongue out at her.

"What about my lips? You don't think my bottom lip is too big?" Fox stuck it out for Dana to look at it better.

"Oh, your lips are like that because you suck on things, too much."

"What? Is this your theory, Doctor Scully?"

"It's not a theory... Were you a thumb-sucker, Fox?"

Dana surprised herself when she asked him the question. It had been a subject she wanted to discuss with him, but was unsure how to approach it. How simple it came out of her mouth as she waited for his answer.

Fox thought for moment, as his cheeks became red.

"Yeah, I was... more like a closet thumb-sucker. I didn't want my parents to catch me. They use to put chili powder on my thumbs to make me stop. I just made sure that I did it when they weren't around. I would hide in the closet or cover my head with the blanket at night."

"Why did you like doing it?"

"I don't know... it felt good. I felt safe... What about you? Were you a thumb-sucker?"

"Nope, I wasn't. My brother Charlie was, but Mom just let him do it. She said when he was done with it he would stop on his own."

"Did he?"

"Yeah, he did, one day he just stopped..."

"Lucky guy..."

"Why do you think he's lucky? Just because you haven't stopped..."

"Excuse me, I don't suck on my thumb anymore..."

"No, you just suck on those disgusting sunflower seeds and writing pens. I hate those stupid seeds!!"

"I told you I EAT those seeds because my dad..." Fox was getting defensive.

"Oh, please, Fox, that was one of the worst theories you ever brought up... My father ate sunflower seeds, I suck... excuse me... eat sunflower seeds, it is hereditary. It's your oral fixation!! An excuse to put something in your mouth!!"

"You know, fuck this conversation. I'm not going to talk about it anymore..." Fox pulled away, suddenly feeling uncomfortable about any discussion concerning an oral fixation he didn't have.

"Why? Can't you handle the truth? I thought that was the thing for you, The TRUTH!! Well, Fox Mulder, the truth is that it's your thumb you really want to suck on not those STUPID sunflower seeds or pens, why don't you just do it?!!" With her sudden anger, Dana lashed out at Fox.

How could he not admit to these truths about himself? The many times she saw him with his fingers near his mouth or when he would crawl to her side, wiggling his face into her clothing just to reach her bare breast and latch his mouth around her nipple. He would make baby-like sounds through his sleep.

It was a truth that Fox Mulder did not want to hear.

"You know, you are a real bitch!!" It seemed the only defense Fox had was to call Dana a name. He didn't know where else to go with it.

"I know I'm a bitch, at least I have no shame admitting it, instead of hiding it..."

"You're a liar!! You hide shit just as much as I do..." Fox regretted the moment he said it. He had opened the door for a new launch of attack from Dana whose mood was fueled by her frustration over Thanksgiving and of Fox not admitting to the truth of his fixation.

"You are certainly right about that. What about Diana Fowley?!" Dana's anger rose higher on the mention of that bitch's name," You didn't have the BALLS to introduce her to me as someone you knew the first time we met!!! You left me standing there like a fool when you called her Diana!!! Did you ever think how I felt?!!!"

"I didn't mean..."

"Oh, you didn't mean nothing!!! That's how it is with you!!! Never thinking about the other person... always yourself!!! And her!!! Miss Perfect!! Everything is right in the world with Diana Fowley!!! How you treated me with her!!! What made you think that I wouldn't find out about the both of you?!!!"

"I didn't want you to know that's all..."

"What?! That you once worked with her. You HAD a RELATIONSHIP with her. She was your CHICK-DEE?! It wasn't like you were married to her..."

"... Well, actually I was..."

Dana stared at him with her eyes opened wide with shock. It was as if he slapped, punched and kicked her all at once.

Fox was married... to that bitch!!! And he never told her!!!

Dana slapped him so hard on the face that Fox felt some of his filling coming loose.

"YOU SHIT!!! HOW COULD YOU NEVER TELL ME SOMETHING LIKE THIS?!!" Dana screamed at the top of her lungs, her hands shaking at his face.

"It wasn't important..." Fox rubbed his cheek as he moved his body away from Dana, afraid of being hit again.

"IT WASN'T IMPORTANT?!! A MARRIAGE WASN'T IMPORTANT TO YOU?!! HOW COULD YOU SAY THAT?!!!"

"It... it was important back then, I thought I loved her. It was a mistake to get married..."

"I don't believe you!!! How could you hide something like this from me?!!! I thought we were done with this?!! What other secret do you have?!! Are there any children out there I should know about?!!"

"No, I don't have any children..." At least he was sure about that, Fox didn't feel he could defend himself anymore. Dana had every right to be furious at him. He should have told her from the start," I'm sorry I never told you... it was something I wanted to forget..."

"Why?! Why did you not want to remember it?! What is it with you?!! You think you can just sweep certain memories away, make them disappear, hoping they won't come back?!!! God!!! You can be such an ass!! And that bitch!!! That fuckin' bitch!!! Every time she came into our lives... she was your wife!!! YOUR FUCKIN' WIFE!!!!"

Dana collapsed back into the pillows. She crossed her arms over her chest. She just didn't know what else to do. She wanted to beat him, beat his ass hard.

That bitch was once Mrs. Fox Mulder!!

God!!! And here she was pretending that she and Fox didn't mean anything to each other in front of that bitch. Having to pretend was shit!! That bitch was trying to get him back!! This bullshit was going to end now!!

"I'm not going to live in a lie anymore, Fox. The next time that bitch walks through the door, I will let her know exactly what you mean to me and that she better back off!!"

Fox looked at her. Feeling no more than two inches tall, he always felt that way when Dana would rage like this. The woman had a temper that was worst then his own. She did have every right to be angry with him. The fear of losing her cringed at his stomach. What she had just said gave him some reassurance that she might forgive him. Fox needed to hear it.

"I'll tell her as well, Dana, right in front of you. I will let her know how much I love you. Please forgive me?"

Dana was silent for a moment. As angry as she was, she knew deep in her heart she would forgive him. She always did, for some God unknown reason, she always did. Yet the betrayal of his trust to her had always involved Diana Fowley, a great source of pain to her heart.

Dana wanted to hurt him right back.

"FUCK YOU!!! I'LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!!! NEVER!!!"

One Hour Later

The storm had knocked the power out, leaving parts of the city without any electricity. Fox and Dana were in the middle of it.

Tired from the rage she had thrown and the tears she shed, Dana had fallen asleep.

Refusing to talk anymore, Dana turned her back on Fox.

"Dana..." Fox tried to reach for her.

"Don't touch me!!! Leave me alone!!!" Dana struggled to control herself even as the tears escaped her.

It was then that the power went out, as the sudden darkness was welcome by them both.

The storm raged on, making any kind of traveling dangerous.

Fox wouldn't have left Dana anyway.

Fearing she would disappear and he would never see her again kept Fox by her side.

He needed her, even if he couldn't take her into his arms.

Denying himself any sleep, Fox remained still for some time when he felt Dana's warm body press against his in her sleep. Curling her body closer to him, she rested her left hand on his chest. None of the anger she had earlier was visible on her lovely face.

Fox looked at her, the feeling of remorse lingered in his heart.

He didn't deserve her.

Every shitty thing he had done to her over the years, Fox could never make up to her. Now the thing about Diana Fowley could tear them apart. Dana was right. They... he needed to deal with it.

Feeling so secure in his love for Dana, Fox was not fazed at all by having Diana around him.

Yet, he had to admit his treatment toward Dana earlier in the year had been inexcusable, whenever Dana's distrust for Diana would surface.

He found it impossible to believe any of the things Dana would show him, and brushed it off with such harshness it was amazing that she was still with him even now as his lover.

Still, he was able to accept his feeling about Diana.

Fox knew he never loved her.

Poor Diana. When he met her, Fox's heart was still mending from the disaster of a relationship he had with Phoebe Green. Diana just happened to be there. She was so different from Phoebe.

Just as he didn't want to think about Samantha. Yet, when her name appeared in his head, he didn't feel the same anguish as he would have this time of the year.

How many years did he torment himself in the month of November? Dreaming of the day, he would find his sister, bring his family back together and make everything whole again.

(Yeah, right...)

What he had learned, over these past few years had broken the illusion he carried for so long.

(Find Samantha, Mom and Dad will love me, again...)

Well, he found Samantha. Quite a few Samanthas and one who didn't want anything to do with him. Or maybe she was up there with the aliens as he was told a few months ago.

What story was he to believe?

Who was it that he could trust?

Dana.

He looked at her again. She was so beautiful. Fox never wanted Dana to know about Diana Fowley. A secret, he hoped would have stayed in Europe and never come back into his life now that he had found the perfect woman for himself.

His Scully... his Dana.

He didn't want to believe there was anyone else before her.

Fox looked over to the night stand and pulled the bag of sunflower seeds over to him. Taking one out, he popped it into his mouth but spit it out. Looking at the discarded seed he felt it just wasn't enough. Perhaps Dana was right. The seeds, like so many writing pens and the cigarettes before, were nothing more than a poor substitute for his thumb.

His parents should have just let him have it. Now it was a hang up for him, a need that could never be satisfied.

Fox didn't think about it until Dana threw it right into his face.

Who was he kidding? He knew about his desire, his fixation. How he played dumb with the inanimate objects that went into his mouth to give pleasure to his shameful weakness.

Pretending that no one could see it, but that was a lie. Dana had seen it. For so many years, she said nothing to him as he freely went about sticking things in his mouth in front of her.

He knew that she didn't mean to lash out at him so cruelly. Upset with the misfortunate of being trapped in Chicago, Dana would have yelled at him even if he were only readjusting himself.

Yet, he couldn't stand the truth being thrown at him. Her being annoyed by his denial only lead to the fight about Diana and him revealing the one secret he wanted to keep.

Still, Dana always saw the truth in human nature, her understanding of his needs. Her desires to help him suffice them, even as she kept quiet about it. He loved her for that and for many other reasons.

He never felt this way with Diana. She would make him feel the world was right with him. His voice needed to be heard, as Diana edged him forward when they discovered the X-Files together.

Never challenging him on his theories, Diana left him comfortable that he had someone on his side who believed him always. In Diana's eyes he was the perfect man.

Fox was ashamed how easily he fell back into the same pattern when Diana had returned. Falling again for her positive reaction, always looking out for him as the X-Files fell under her control. She did it for him. She always did things for him. She always loved him.

He... he never loved Diana Fowley. There was a time Fox honestly believed she was the woman for him. The love of his life that came to abrupt end when he realized there was no love. He couldn't continue with her, and would do everything he could to destroy it. When their marriage ended, they went their separate ways.

The X-Files was all that matter to him until the day Dana Scully walked into his office, a new change for him that was the best.

Dana had brought new life to him. Her constant challenging of his theories had awakened his mind, forcing himself more than ever to seek out the answer to prove to her, to make her believe.

How he had grown to love this woman, truly love her, like he had never done for anyone before.

The only woman he would ever have.

Even when he had accused her of making him choose between her and Diana. Her response to him came down to matter of trust.

The trust he always had for her. Now he had broken her trust, by holding back a truth. A truth about his past life that could ruin the life he had now and take away the only person, he ever loved.

Looking at the bag of sunflower seeds, Fox tossed them back on the night stand. What good were these seeds, anyhow? It wasn't what he wanted. There was no way Dana would let him touch her. He didn't deserve it.

As he laid in the darkness feeling sorry for himself, his mouth began to move in sucking motion. It was an automatic reaction to his frustration. Something he quickly noticed and made himself stop.

(BABY!!)

That was what he was... a baby!!! It didn't matter he was a FBI agent, the many quests he had taken with his life, at times, hanging by a thread.

His many skills of foresight and reasoning, the ability to understand another person's mind better than he knew his own.

The responsibilities he was to take as a so-called adult. He paid his bills, took care of his taxes. He tried to arrive for work and meetings on time... OK, he wasn't that good at it but he did try.

He stood his ground against the toughest opponents, yet despite all of this he was nothing but a baby.

A baby who wanted his thumb.

Right now Fox felt that way.

He wondered if he could do it? Stick his thumb right in his mouth, and give in to those longing desires. Fox heard the voice in the back of his head that was encouraging him to do it.

His father and mother weren't here. Dana was asleep and most likely wouldn't be upset with him for doing it.

If there were any surveillance cameras around, Fox would be giving them one hell of show to pass around and have a good laugh on him.

Once again, looking at his thumb, Fox felt his mouth watering, the urge to suck on it would not leave him.

He wanted it.

Jesus Christ, he really wanted his thumb!!

Fox slowly opened his mouth as brought his thumb forward. His tongue already reaching out to greet the digit, as the saliva increased from the anticipation of the pleasure he would soon give to himself.

Taking his thumb deeper into his mouth since he'd been a child, Fox felt his lips ready to embrace his comfort, his heart racing from the sneer relish of this forbidden act of childhood. His eyes partly closed as his mouth slowly encased his thumb, his tongue edging closer to it.

Just as the final act was about to come, Fox suddenly saw the image of his father smacking his hand from his mouth.

Jumping, Fox expected the harsh words that always came after his father caught him sucking his thumb.

"BABY!!! THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE!!! A BABY!!! I SHOULD HAVE YOUR MOTHER PUT YOU BACK IN DIAPERS SO EVERYONE CAN SEE WHAT A BABY YOU ARE!!! Seven YEARS OLD AND YOU ARE STILL SUCKING YOUR THUMB!!! BABY!!!"

Fox brought his hand down, and pressed his lips tight. He wasn't a baby... he'll show that fuckin' old man he wasn't.

Pushing his head down on his pillow, Fox struggled to keep his tears from not escaping.

Why did he have to be this way? Why couldn't he be normal? Normal people don't suck their thumbs. Normal people act their age!

Jesus Christ!! He wanted something in his mouth!!

Feeling Dana shuffling next to him, Fox looked over and noticed her hand resting on his chest. Her beautiful hand that he loved to hold. Never getting enough of her touches with those hands... And where those hands have been, Fox would have never believed it to be true except in his fantasies.

With her thumb pointing up toward his direction, it looked so inviting... so appealing. He was hungry for it as his mouth moved involuntarily at the thought of sucking on her thumb.

Would Dana mind? She was mad at him. This would be violating her space... and her body.

Looking at her thumb again, Fox's lips moved harder, sucking his tongue to the roof of his mouth. He had to have her, something of her. Why not the one thing he wanted?

Taking her hand, Fox admired the titillating skin around her fingers. The softness of the wrist he held, her thumb pointing at him, as if it was daring Fox to take it in.

A quick look to see if Dana was still asleep, Fox took her hand closer to his mouth and popped her thumb right in.

Slowly sucking and tasting everything, she had held, from the Twinkles, the M & M's, the gum that had favored her thumb, and finally the taste of herself. Dana was in his mouth, everything about her he loved and took in.

His tongue gently moved forward and back, as the pressure of the sucking encased her thumb into his warmth of his mouth. His teeth barely touching her, not wanting to cause any harm to his beloved, as Fox kept on sucking into heaven. His eyes grew heavy from the relaxed feeling with his body no longer feeling tense. The memory of the fight vaporized from his mind as he began to lose consciousness.

Dana was right, was his last thought before he finally fell asleep. Fox continued to suck on her thumb even in his slumber. Bringing Dana closer to him with his arms, she responded to his touch in her sleep bringing herself nearer to him. She ever removed her thumb from Fox's mouth as they both slept through the storm.

The Next Day: On Flight

Stretching in her seat, Dana repositioned herself for better comfort. She needed to relax on their flight home. The weather was still rough but calm enough to allow the planes to take flight. A few hours ago, they received the call from the airlines that their flight was available.

Hearing the noise of the TV as the power came back on, Dana woke up in the late evening. Much to her surprise, Fox was sucking on her thumb. He whimpered in his sleep when she removed her wet and wrinkled thumb from his mouth. His face frowned as Fox desperately searched with his mouth for the comfort he had lost.

Dana watched him for a moment, as the pitiful cries from his throat begged for her thumb back.

Bringing it closer to his mouth, Dana playfully teased him. Brushing her digit near and pulling away before Fox could grab hold of it again.

His frustration showed as he threw his head back whimpering even louder than before. His mouth gasping the air seeking for what he needed, the most.

She was just about to bring her thumb close again to tease him once more when his eyes popped opened.

"Danaaa..." Fox stared at her with a grumpy look on his face," Why did you take it away?!"

"What? This?" Dana showed him her wrinkle-up thumb.

"Yes!! Give it back!!"

Smiling at him with a devilish grin, Dana did as he asked. Bringing her thumb to his mouth, which he had wide open ready to take her back in. Dana suddenly pulled her thumb away, before Fox could close his mouth around it.

Growling at her, Fox's anger showed all over his face.

Before she could play with him once more, Fox grabbed Dana with one arm pulling her close to him. Grabbing her hand, he shoved her thumb back into his mouth. Fox started sucking as he brought both their bodies closer together.

His eyes closed, Fox was ready to fall back to sleep again with his living, breathing pacifier wrapped around his arms.

"Fox..."

"Uuhat?!" He growled at her around her thumb. Talking meant he had to stop sucking.

"Did she ever do this for you?"

"Uuho?"

"Diana..."

"Uuver..." Fox started sucking again.

Watching him drift back to sleep, Fox was so gentle on her thumb. It was no wonder Dana did not feel it in her sleep. She felt the warmth of his mouth as his tongue gazed up and down the back of her thumb. Feeling the slight pressure of the sucking, Fox never once pressed his teeth down on her.

A smile escaped Dana as she thought how sweet and innocent he looked with her thumb in his mouth. It was funny, how she wanted to kick his ass a short time ago.

Resting her head on his shoulder, there really wasn't much for them to do until they heard from the airlines. Dana closed her eyes and rejoined Fox in slumber.

It was early Tuesday morning when they received the call from the airlines that woke both of them up. Their flight was in two hours. No time for a shower, as they gathered up their things and headed off to the airport.

It was now one day before Thanksgiving, Dana had to rethink her plans for the menu. She wasn't sure if she could defrost the turkey in time unless they had a late dinner. Forgetting to call her mother and the Gunmen last night, Dana would call them the moment they arrived home.

Dana started thinking about Diana Fowley again. She still hated that bitch, hated her even more now that Dana knew she was the ex- Mrs. Fox Mulder. Dana was still upset with Fox as well for not being honest with her about his first marriage.

(Asshole!)

As upset as she was, Dana had questions. She was more curious about Fox's life with Diana back then.

She also thought about Fox's first serious obsession, Phoebe Green, (another bitch!). That ended before he came back to America to start his training in the FBI.

Remembering what the Lone Gunmen told her, Fox met Diana after he completed his training at the Academy. She was also there with him when he discovered the X-Files and worked with him until she left on a transfer to Europe, (wish it could have been the moon...) until over a year ago when she came back into his life.

(... There were things at home I decided I wanted to get back to...)

Yeah, I know what you wanted you bitch.

Could that be the kind of relationship they had? Knowing who Fox was, and how he would hold on to things, the chance of it being that kind of love with Diana was there.

Dana wondered about her own relationship with Fox Mulder?

Having been together for many years, they had shared more than any couple could hope for. The love they have for each other developed in its own unique way.

Dana looked over at Fox who was busy reading a magazine. Looking so relax and content, giving in to the true feelings of oral pleasure did him a whole lot of good. He didn't even ask for any sunflower seeds from the flight attendant.

Once in awhile, Fox would reach over to Dana's hand and take her thumb rubbing it between his fingers. If they weren't out in public, her thumb would be right back in his mouth.

Dana let out a sigh. She was not at all bothered by Fox sucking her thumb. She actually liked it. It had a kinky appeal to it that no other man had ever done with her.

Still the dark clouds were over them. They both feared the storm that waited.

The Diana Fowley issue was not over yet.

The moment they arrived home, the tension had developed again. Dana busied herself for Thanksgiving and had no time or patience for Fox, who seemed to be getting in her way too much.

Fox wanted to please Dana and tried to help. Instead, he would be yelled at for anything Dana found annoying about him.

It was surprising that he took it. Both he and Dana hated to be wronged or mistreated. His own guilt complex controlled him during this time. The fear of losing Dana, being alone on Thanksgiving again and the guilt of the secret he held from her kept him in place.

Fox felt like the little boy he once was, trying to please his mother, only be scolded by her. It didn't matter how far his bottom lip stuck out, a charm that always worked on Dana. He would be on the receiving end of a chew-out from his lovely and angry redhead.

After the abuse he took when they got home, Fox went to work on Wednesday just to be out of Dana's way. He had spent Tuesday night at his apartment after Dana had yelled at him when he again asked if he could help her.

"You want to know how to help me? Get the hell out of my way!!!"

He did and walked out.

Fox couldn't sleep that night. He cried about he was asshole and a miserable piece of shit. He didn't deserve Dana. He didn't!!

He didn't stop crying until he heard the phone ring at six o'clock in the morning.

As soon as he heard Dana's voice on the answering machine, Fox picked up the receiver to speak with his beloved.

"Morning, Dana..." Fox's voice sounded with excitement.

"Morning, Fox, did you sleep well? I know that couch isn't as comfortable as it use to be."

"No, it's not the same without you..."

"Fox, I just want to let you know that I won't be coming into work today. I have too much stuff to do, and so little time. Do you think you can handle everything at the office without me?"

Fox had forgotten all about work. It was a good idea for him to go and stay out of her way. He didn't think he could handle another day of verbal abuse from Dana, especially with the way she was sounding now. He didn't want to ruin it.

"Nah, I can handle it. It will be quiet today anyhow..." Fox suddenly bit his bottom lip. He didn't mean that it would be quiet because she wouldn't be there. The building was always half empty during the holidays.

"You know it will be, with just about everyone gone for Thanksgiving..." Dana was calm. She understood what he meant.

For a moment there was a few seconds of silence.

"I love you, Fox. I'll see you tonight."

"I love you, too, Dana. Call me if you need anything..."

It was after one o'clock, when Fox received a call from Dana.

"Fox, I need you do something for me?"

"Anything, love..."

"We need pumpkin pies, I forgot to buy them at the store while I was there. Do you think you can pick up two of them for me? Maybe check with a bakery or the restaurant that sells pies. It's kind of late, but they might still have some."

Deciding not to bake her own pumpkin pies, there was too much to do and not enough time for Dana to do everything.

"No problem... I'll get right on it."

"If they don't have any more pumpkin, Fox. Pick any kind you want..."

"You want pumpkin... I will get you pumpkin..."

"Don't kill yourself over this, Fox..."

"No, I won't... I just want to make you happy..."

"Thank you, Fox. I love you. I'll see you later..."

"I love you, too..." Fox called out before Dana hung up the phone.

Ok, that went well. Good marks for him.

Grabbing his coat, Fox's workday was over as he headed off to find some pumpkin pies.

It turned out not to be so easy as he thought. Fox had gone to two restaurants that sold pies but they were out of pumpkin. He went to the bakery near the office but they too were out of pumpkin pies.

Fox stopped at the supermarket. Even there they were out of pumpkin pies including the ones that were frozen.

Fox would have driven all night to find those pumpkin pies when he stopped at the bakery near Dana's home.

Crowded with all last minute shoppers fighting over what was available, Fox had managed to grab a ticket, in case he needed it.

Looking at what was displayed, there was hardly anything left.

For a moment Fox couldn't believe it. All the other shoppers didn't seem interested in them. Fox stood in front of the glass display covering his body over it so no one else would see the pies.

When his number was finally called, the young lady boxed the two pies for him.

Being in a foul mood, the young lady was not at all talkative but Fox couldn't blame her. He would be in the same mood if he had to work in a place like this during the holidays.

As he walked out of the bakery, Fox felt triumphant. He got the pies for his beloved. Dana would be so pleased. There was no way she could be in a bad mood with him tonight.

As soon as he arrived home, Fox gladly handed the pies to Dana.

"I got you your pumpkin pies!!"

"Oh, Fox, I can't believe it!!! You are so sweet... thank you, honey."

Dana kissed him on the lips. The lips he missed so much. Maybe he could get her to take a break, he really missed.

"Uh, I thought they were pumpkin, they look like pumpkin..."

"There is a BIG difference between a pumpkin pie and a sweet potato pie, Fox Mulder!!! I hate sweet potato pie!! Why did you not ask the person who was helping you tell you what was what?!"

"They were busy... I thought they were pumpkin..."

"Well, they are not!!! Never mind!! We'll eat them!! We just won't have pumpkin this year!!" Dana slammed the door of the refrigerator after she placed the pies in. She stormed passed him and slammed the door to the bathroom.

Fox slumped onto the couch. He was so tired from not sleeping last night, from running around looking for pies and most of all from being belittled by Dana. He didn't want to fight her... How much more, could he take of this? He closed his eyes and fell asleep instantly on the couch.

"Dana...?"

"I'm sorry I woke you up, Fox. Go back to sleep..."

"I'm sorry I got the wrong pies..."

"It's all right, baby, I shouldn't have yelled at you. You only wanted to help me..."

"Dana, can I sleep with you tonight...?"

"Of course you can, silly, it's your bed, too..."

Dana helped him up, as they walked together to their bedroom. Fox fell asleep the moment his head touched the pillow.

Thanksgiving Day

Dana had managed to defrost the turkey by soaking it in water for over 15 hours.

Maggie Scully arrived early Thursday morning to help Dana with the cooking.

The tension between Dana and Fox concerning Diana Fowley was still there. An issue they both knew that they were going to have to talk about. Right now, there wasn't any time for it. Trying to get ready for the holiday had tested both of them.

None of this got passed Maggie. She noticed their behavior with each other was out of character. Though they would talk and joke with each other, the body contact they shared was missing.

Maggie debated whether or not to ask. She was concerned. If there was anything she could do, she wanted to offer her help to them.

The chance came later in the day when Fox left to pick the Gunmen up at their place, their car had broken down and they needed a lift over.

As soon as he was gone, Dana dropped what she was doing. Her face crumbled as she went to her mother's arms crying.

"Dana, what's wrong?" Her mother embraced her.

"Fox was once married!!" Dana managed to shout it through her tears. It was so painful to hear it out loud again and coming from her own mouth," He didn't want to tell me!! He never wanted me to know!!"

"Oh, Dana..." Maggie hugged her daughter more tight, she could not believe what Dana had just told her. Her Fox was once married and he didn't want Dana or anyone else to know about it. How could he be like that?

"It was Diana Fowley he was married to!! I hate her!! I hate the sight of her!!!" Dana screamed it out," Every time she comes around, I have to act like Fox and I, are not in love. She wants him back!!! I'm so scared she'll take him away from me!!!"

Diana Fowley.

Dana had mentioned the woman to her many times, always speaking of her with dislike.

"Dana, why did he not want to tell you about his marriage...?" This concerned Maggie, the most. How could Fox keep such a secret?

"He said he didn't want me to know!!! Why didn't he?!!! What does he think..?! I can't handle it?!! Oh, Mom... it hurts so much!!! Why couldn't he have been honest with me?!!!"

The drive to the Gunmen gave Fox time to think. He should have told Dana everything, right from the start, admitted the truth to his marriage to Diana Fowley.

The thought of Dana not being his first and only wife, but his second, Fox couldn't stand to think of her that way.

Why?! Why did he ever marry Diana Fowley?!

Pulling up to the Lone Gunmen's place, Fox honked the horn hoping they would come out before he started crying.

It wasn't long before Fox and the Gunmen arrived back to the apartment where the smell of Thanksgiving greeted them.

"It smells delicious in here!!" Frohike announced as he walked in.

"Say, smells like someone is cooking a turkey..." Langly added.

Mother Scully smiled, as she greeted the Gunmen. Taking their coats from them, she handed them all to Fox.

"Fox, put these away..."

When their eyes met, Fox knew Dana had told her. The disappointing look her eyes gave him made his heart crumble.

"Hi, fellows, thanks for coming..." Dana came out of the kitchen. None of the Gunmen noticed the sadness in Dana's eyes. Fox caught it right away. What was left of his heart shattered into pieces.

Dana gave each of the threesome a hug," Would any of you guys like to have something to drink?"

"Got beer?" Langly spoke up.

"Sure do... Frohike? Byers? You want a beer, too? We also have coffee and cokes..."

"One beer, here..." Frohike pointed one finger in the air.

"Coke will be fine for me, Dana..." Byers said.

"What about you, honey? Would you like something to drink?"

Fox gave her a smile. Dana still cared," Coffee's perfect... I don't see how you assholes can drink anything cold right now..." Fox looked at the Gunmen.

At the start of another football game, Fox drank his second beer, enjoying the bonding that he and the Gunmen were sharing. Fox reminded himself not to drink too much as he put the empty beer bottle down on the coffee table.

He then heard Dana call him from the kitchen.

"Fox!! Do you want to carve the turkey?"

"Sure, why not?" Fox stood up.

Never having done it before, Fox could picture the many times he saw his father carving the Thanksgiving turkey at the dinner table. It never came out right with his father cursing under his breath.

"Ooo, domestic man..." Frohike teased.

Fox gave him the one finger salute as he headed toward the kitchen.

As he walked in, Dana handed him the knife.

"You don't want me to carve it at the table?" Fox asked.

"No, what for? It will take forever for us to eat if we do it that way..." Dana told him.

"Well, that's what my dad uses to do..."

"Well, this is NOT your father's house, Fox!!" Dana snapped at him," Do you want to carve it or not?!!"

Fox put the knife down. "You know, do whatever SHIT you want to do..." Grabbing another beer from the refrigerator he stomped back to the living room.

Throwing his body down on the armchair, Fox crossed his arms with his bottom lip pouting. He looked to the kitchen to see Dana's back to him carving the turkey.

In a half-hour, the table was set with everything having a traditional look of the holiday. Maggie called the men to the table.

When they started the meal, all the tension Fox was feeling seemed to disappear. Dana filled his plate with each dish, as Mother Scully made sure his glass was filled with ice tea.

The Gunmen served themselves not noticing the special treatment Mulder was receiving. It had been a long time since either of three had such a Thanksgiving meal prepared for them.

At the table, a tipsy Frohike entertained everyone with his far-fetch stories. Though he told them with such conviction, Maggie found it hard to believe any of it to be true. Still, she knew better, after all she did know Fox Mulder.

By the time dessert was served, everyone was stuffed. Fox didn't know if he could stand up at all.

"Best turkey I ever had..." Byers said, he looked as stuffed as Fox was.

"My compliments to the chefs..." Frohike kissed Maggie's hand. He tried to kiss Dana's, but she pulled away and hid behind Fox.

"No, you don't!!" Dana scolded Frohike," You had your dessert..."

Fox turned to Dana," I would like to have some more dessert..." and kissed her with his mended heart. Dana kissed him right back.

Looking at each other for a moment, the feeling of the love they had for each other was always there.

"Thank you for a great meal..." Fox whispered to her.

"You're welcome. Don't forget to thank Mom, too..."

Fox went right to her, kissing her on the cheek," Thanks, Mom..."

"You're welcome, Fox..." Maggie patted him on the shoulder lovingly.

The rest of the evening was spent in the living room with stories being told by everyone. Everything was pleasant, being surrounded by love ones and good friends, Fox held onto all the images to his mind.

It would have been the perfect ending to the evening until intoxicated Frohike brought up a certain name and everything fell apart.

"Hey, Mulder, remember when you and Diana Fowley had..."

"Shut up, Frohike!! No one needs to hear that story!!" Fox snapped at him. He was ready to punch the guy out for just saying Diana's name.

"No, let him tell it," Dana piped in," It might be the *first* honest thing I'll ever hear about her..."

Everyone was dead silent. Fox and Dana stared at each other. Her eyes were filled with anger and hurt, as his were full of regret and sorrow.

They were locked against each other until Byers announced," Hey! Look at the time!!"

The ride back home was dead silent. The Gunmen planned to call for a taxi, but Mulder would not hear of it.

When they pulled up to the Gunmen's home and office, Frohike turned back to Mulder.

"Look, I'm sorry, Mulder. I shouldn't have brought her name up... I didn't mean to hurt..."

"Don't worry about it. You're not the guilty person here..." Mulder said and drove out of there.

Staying until Fox returned home, Maggie decided to take her leave as soon as he entered the apartment.

"It's time I went home, you two..."

"Mom, are you sure you don't want to spend the night?" Dana turned to her mother as she rested on the couch.

"No, dear, I'll be all right. Don't worry yourself. I'll call you as soon as I get home," She and Dana kissed each other good-bye.

"Let me walk you to your car, Mom," Fox had offered as he opened the door for her.

Walking to her car, not a word was exchanged between them. Fox's head was down as he again felt the wave of guilt washed over him. It was enough that he hurt Dana but now her own mother shared the pain with her.

Once they got to the car, Maggie turned to Fox, and hugged him tight. A feeling of forgiveness was in her embrace, as Fox hugged her back wanting to hold on.

Maggie took his face by the cheeks," I trust you to do the right thing..." She spoke softly to him.

Fox shook his head, yes. If he opened his mouth, he knew he would start crying.

He stood there until Maggie's car turned down the block and headed for home.

Dana's legs were curled up to her chest as she rested her arms and chin on them, when Fox came back in. He sat down on the couch with her on the far end. They both watched the TV, saying nothing until Dana broke the ice.

"Why didn't you want me to know?"

"Because I didn't want to believe there was anyone before you... that you are the first of everything in my life..."

Dana turned to look at him.

Fox found it hard to stare at her sad eyes but he kept himself in place.

"When you and I first started working together, it wasn't like we were open books in our private lives. I didn't feel any need to bring it up... but when my feelings for you started to change... I couldn't bare the thought of you never being the first... I hated that you met Phoebe... I wish to God that it never happened... I never thought that Diana would come back... I never wanted her, too... I didn't want you to know... No one before you ever made me feel the way you do... I only believe in you, Dana..."

"That is certainly an illusion, Fox... everyone has other people in their lives... It's no different for the both of us..."

"I know... but I never loved Diana... I once thought I did... just as I was sure with Phoebe... I never knew the true meaning of love and friendship until I met you... I wanted to forget everything about the past with them and only be with you..."

"You wanted to forget the past for me..? That's quite different... but, Fox... you can't hide it... you know that... whatever is hidden always comes back. I have met both these women... and I have survived... I'm still here... still here for you..."

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry for not being honest with you, Dana...for the way I treated you both with Diana and Phoebe... I never meant any distrust..."

Dana turned away for a moment. The memory of the fight she had with him in the Lone Gunmen's office was still painful. After all the years of trust they had developed between each other, it nearly fell apart because of one person.

Seeing her turned away, Fox reached out with his hand and touched her knee. He knew what she was thinking, if he could take everything back.

"I'm sorry... it's just that Diana... she never made me feel that I wrong... She was the first person who really believed in me... I really needed that..."

"You know that I believe in you, Fox... but my beliefs can't be the same as hers..."

"I'm not asking that... Why would I want you to be like her..? It's you that I want... Everything... even your short little legs..."

Dana smiled at him. Fox smiled right back.

"Are you sure you weren't married to anyone else?"

"No one..."

"No more secrets...?"

"I'll slip my guts out tonight..."

"Good... I have lots of questions..."

"I have the answers..."

Dana turned to face him. A smile escaped once more as she asked her first question.

"I'm not at all like Diana...?"

"No, you are not..." Fox moved closer to her.

"... Nor am I anything like Phoebe...?"

"... That's another galaxy..." Fox moved closer to her face.

"... Am I the right one...?"

"... Yes, you are... always..." Fox moved to her lips.

Their kiss reunited the bond that had been temporarily broken, sealing it tight with their love and trust.

At that moment, Dana Scully forgave Fox Mulder, just like she knew she would.

Disclaimer: The characters of the X-Files do not belong to me. They are the property of Chris Carter, 1013 Productions and Fox Broadcasting. No copyright infringement is intended.

Summary: Fox receives a special gift from the Cigarette Smoking Man.

Saturday, December 11th
Dana's Apartment: Evening

Fox Mulder stood in front of the six-foot Christmas tree he and Dana Scully had dragged into her apartment more than three hours ago.

It took them one and half-hour to get the shitty tree into its stand. Screwed it in tight, as Fox cursed the tree's existence. He and Dana then watched the tree go tumbling down, as they stood from it admiring their hard work crash before them. After another try, the tree stood as it was meant to be, tall, full and beautiful, with a few books under the stand to even out the tree's position.

It had definitely been the year of rediscovery for Fox.

Holidays, birthdays, and love were not forgotten thanks to Dana. Through her she had made the enjoyment of all the occasions more special than when he was a child.

"When are we going to decorate the tree, Dana?" Fox turned to her begging with his sad puppy eyes.

"After dinner, Fox..." Not looking up at him from the magazine she was reading. It was the fifth time he had asked her, and Dana was trying not to sound irritated when she answered him.

"Please..? Can't we do it now?"

Bringing his body on the couch next to her, Fox tried to block her view of the magazine by putting his face close to it. Without missing a sentence, Dana pulled away from him as she turned to the side.

Trying a different approach, Fox tugged on her sleeve, repeating," Dana... Dana... Dana..." until finally she smacked him hard on the hand.

"Fox, go find something to do..." She warned him.

Upon that command, Fox reached over and took her left hand. Putting all of her fingers except the thumb into his mouth he began to play with them. Sliding her fingers in and out as his tongue licked them with each movement, his teeth nibbled gently on her digits. Slipping her fingers out of his mouth, Fox was ready to move on to her lovely thumb when Dana pulled her hand away.

"Hey!!" Fox playfully shouted at her.

"Fox, go do a grown-up thing and check on dinner..." Dana said as she wiped her hand dry on his sweater.

"Fine..." Fox said with a grumpy face. He just wasn't getting his way tonight.

Doing as he was told, Fox walked into the kitchen checking the boiling pots on the stove. Next he checked the timer on the counter for the chicken in the oven.

OK, he checked... now what?

Walking back to join Dana, Fox stopped and picked up the case he had started working on at the office. Sitting on the other side of the couch, he slipped on his glasses going to the page where he left off.

For the next twenty minutes, both were engrossed in the material they were reading until one of them got bored.

Extending her leg against the inner side of his thigh rubbing gently like a cat, Fox pretended not to notice what Dana was doing.

Having to stretch a bit in order to move up his leg, Dana's height prevented her not to reach his groin from where she sat. Fox grabbed her leg, and pulled her in closer to him causing Dana to lay her whole body on the couch. Holding on to the magazine she was still reading. Dana gently rubbed her foot across his crotch.

Trying to keep a straight face, Fox continued to read, as Dana worked her magic. He even started discussing the case with her as he was developing a hard-on.

Dana kicked the case to get his attention.

"What? You don't agree with me?" Fox looked at her as he held on tight to the case.

"Oh, I agree, you definitely have something in your pants..." Dana laughed as she lifted the magazine to look at him.

"Since you won't let me suck on you, how about you sucking on me?"

"I'm not hungry for that..."

"Come on..." Fox leered at her as he placed the case on the floor," ... You always like something meaty..." He crawled over to her," ... juicy..." He towered over her small frame. "... and tasty..." Lowering his crotch area closer to her waist, rubbing up and down against her, smiling," What do you say, pretty lady?"

The timer in the kitchen went off.

"I say it's time to eat..." Dana smiled at him.

"I couldn't agree with you more..."

Same Day: Maggie Scully's Home

Maggie Scully was extremely disappointed.

Her youngest son, Charlie had called earlier in the day to let her know he was unable to visit her this Christmas.

"I am sorry, Mom. I was looking forward to seeing you and Dana..."

"It's all right, Charlie. These things happen..." The disappointment was in her voice.

Charlie still could not get over his guilt," ... Yeah, they do... I really wanted to meet this Fox Mulder of yours..."

Monday, December 13th: Mulder's Office

Going through the file cabinet, Fox Mulder pulled out several cases for review.

Placing them on his desk, Mulder hoped to be done in time to beat the Christmas rush on the road. He hated heavy traffic and considered spending the night at his apartment to avoid it.

Yet as much as he hated the traffic, being alone at night he hated even more. Now having Dana with him, Fox wondered if he could convince her to spend the night at his place this evening.

Going through the first case, Mulder noticed the writing on one of the pages.

It was her writing.

It was one of the cases Diana Fowley had handled when she and Jeffrey Spender were in charge of the X-Files over a year ago.

Seeing Diana's name brought lots of regrets to Mulder's mind. What he had done to Dana last month was heart wrenching. Despite the pain he had put her through, Dana had forgiven him.

To Fox, that was a miracle. He didn't believe most women would have put up with such deception.

Dana was a rare flower.

A few months ago, when he was plagued by voices in his mind, the discovery of another possible truth, Dana had remained his strong arm throughout the ordeal.

Remembering it too, as the last time he had seen Diana Fowley.

He had fallen onto the stairs at the University, unable to continue as the voices surrounded his mind. When the voices stopped, Fox reached for his cell phone to call for help.

Knowing Dana was in New Mexico, he decided to call Maggie Scully for help. Trying hard to concentration, Fox pushed the speed dial for Maggie's number, but it was not her voice that answered on the other end.

"Hello...?" The voice of Diana Fowley spoke. Fox recognized her but still questioned who she was. He didn't mean to call her, thinking her number was no longer program on his phone.

Now it didn't matter, he needed help and Diana would be the one who would believe him. Yet it was only Dana he thought of and wanted by his side.

Somewhere In The World.

Being back in his life for nearly two years had not gone the way she had hoped.

The recent events in their lives had left many issues unresolved. She hadn't meant to cause so much pain.

With the holiday approaching, Diana knew what she wanted for Christmas

Saturday, December 18th: The Mall

Fox Mulder was regretting that he had agreed to this

Sitting on a bench in the overcrowded mall filled with Christmas shoppers, Dana had insisted that they do their Christmas shopping together.

As far as Fox was concerned, he was just a bag holder. His arms and hands were covered with shopping bags. He found it hard to move around the mall without someone bumping into him or hitting a person with the bags as Dana guided him to shop to shop.

Finally, he had enough. Fox sat down at the first bench he found empty, letting the bags fall to the floor.

"Fox!!"

"I'm not moving, Dana... go do what you have to do. Just come back and get me..." He frowned at her.

Dana let out a sigh. Maybe he was carrying too many bags.

"Fine, I'll be in that store over there..." and Dana disappeared into the flood of people around them.

While he sat waiting for her, Fox studied the shoppers as they passed by him. There sure were a lot of ugly people in the world, he thought. Not that he considered himself a prize. He never understood why Dana would call him a handsome man. It was hard to get past that nose of his.

As he continued to watch the other shoppers, Fox was fascinated with the people he saw. What made a person who they are was the biggest mystery to him. Each individual had their story. He had his own as well.

As the crowd continued to grow, their faces were becoming a blur to him. The mall was extremely crowded, leaving the air thick.

Taking in a deep breath, Fox craved the chill air outside the mall. He hoped the shop that Dana was in would be the last one. If she tried to drag him to another store, Fox planned to throw one hell of a fit.

Moving among the many faces, Fox saw something. The thing was approaching him. Feeling his body tense, Fox reached and felt for his weapon but suddenly remember he wasn't carrying it.

Fox was sure the thing knew that, too.

The thing's mouth looked so empty without a cigarette.

"Merry Christmas... Fox," The Cigarette Smoking Man greeted him as his fingers played with an unlit cigarette in his hand.

"What the fuck do you want?!!" Fox growled at him.

"My, such language for this blessed holiday. I thought your mother taught you better than that..."

"Leave my mother out of this..."

"Oh, you still care? My understanding is that you had a fall-out with her. Such a shame... Your mother is quite a wonderful person. After all that I have known her long before you were born..."

This wasn't the first time that son of a bitch had told him this.

"If you are my father, why don't you just go ahead and SAID SAY IT!!!" Fox dared him.

"What? Spoil the surprise? Everyone loves a good mystery... You yourself are good at keeping secrets... but not that not that well... How are things between you and Ms. Scully? You must be doing well... She does have you out here being her bagboy?" A smile appeared across his wrinkled face.

Fox stared back cold as a stone. It didn't surprise him that the bastard knew about Dana and himself. It really was not much of a secret. He knew he and Dana were fooling themselves into believing they could keep everything hushed. It would only be a matter of time before someone would turn them in. The son of a bitch was now hanging it over his head, ready to drop it at anytime.

"I must congratulate myself. I'm certainly the matchmaker. You should thank me, Fox. I always knew Ms. Scully was the woman for you. When you two met as children I knew then you two were perfect for each other..."

Fox's eyes grew large. What did he mean by that? He had never met Dana as a kid. It was something he knew he would never forget.

He was lying. It had to be another trick he was pulling.

The Cigarette Smoking Man reached into his coat and pulled out a large thick envelope. He tossed to side near Fox, landing with a bang.

"An early Christmas present. Something to put on your mantle..." He smiled," Trust me this time, Fox. They are the real things."

Then he walked away, disappearing into the large crowd of people.

Fox reached for the envelope. At first, he hesitated to open it, unsure if there could be something.

Fox ripped opened the envelope, and carefully pulled out more than thirty 8" by 10" black and white photographs. In the first one that he held, he recognized himself right away and the little girl... no, a baby, sat right next to him.

July 4, 1965: Huge Private Estate

Three-year-old Fox Mulder was having the time of his life.

When he and his parents first arrived to the barbecue, Fox had hesitated after being warned by his daddy.

"I expect you to behave yourself, Fox..." His daddy pulled and shook the belt that was around his waist.

Fox hated to get spanked. It hurt too much when his daddy spanked him. He tried to be a good, but Fox was always doing something that made him a bad boy in his daddy's eyes.

It didn't take long before the warning was forgotten.

Fox screamed with delight as he and several other children chased each other all around the huge estate. Some of the children Fox remembered from other parties his parents had taken him to before.

Tagging each other 'IT', Fox managed to stay out of everyone's reach as he ran ahead of them.

Not noticing his footing, Fox lost his balance and fell flat on his stomach. Not letting out a cry, instead he laughed. Fox was having too much fun to worry about any pain.

Now sitting on the grass, several children ran passed Fox tagging his head," You're IT!! You're IT!!"

Some of the tags were hard smacks that caused Fox to spring up and down like a punching clown. Again, he didn't mind the pain, his laughter was an ache in his stomach.

As he was still laughing, Fox turned his head to the direction where the other children ran to but instead he came face to face with a toddler.

She was a small thing for sixteen months. Her yellow-sun dress made her short red hair stand out. Her big blue eyes nearly took over half of her face. Grinning happily at Fox with a few of her baby teeth showing, she stood confident in front of him. Her feet were buckled tight with the white sandals her mother had put on her.

She was a beautiful baby, but Fox did not care. He frowned at her, got up and dashed away. The toddler quickly went after him. Her chubby legs took her as fast as they could, but Fox was too quick for her to catch up with him.

She was trying until her mother scooped her into her arms.

"You are not going anywhere, Dana..." Maggie Scully kissed her protesting daughter, who continued to look at Fox as he disappeared into a group of children.

Maggie was concerned for her infant daughter's fair skin and wanted to put more suntan lotion on her. Looking around the grounds for her other two children, Maggie had lost both Bill, Jr. and Melissa in the large crowd of people.

Her husband Bill, Sr. told her not to worry, and to let the kids have fun. Being a mother, Maggie still worried and she wasn't about to let her youngest one out of her sight.

Maggie felt uncomfortable being here. Though everyone was dressed in loose Summer clothing, their wealth was still noticeable.

Coming to the party was important to her husband. From what Bill had told her, the people who had invited them were high up in the government, very important people.

There were quite a few military families here as well. Some of the wives looked just as uncomfortable as Maggie felt. Always being the friendly person, she sat with the other military wives exchanging their tales.

Little Dana was putting up a fuss as Maggie rubbed the cream on her tiny face. When she finished, Maggie let Dana go and waited to see if she would take off again.

Being a tricky one, Maggie was sure that Dana would have followed the young boy across the property if she had not stopped her. Seeing her daughter now standing still and looking at the crowd of people, Maggie felt for certain that Dana was searching for her Daddy.

On the other side of the estate, Teena Mulder was the center of attention. Entering her fifth month of pregnancy, every one of her friends wanted her to be comfortable. She was enjoying all the pampering. The table they sat at had a huge umbrella covering the ladies from the July sun.

Once in awhile, Teena would do a quick check for her son, Fox who seemed to be all over the place.

Finally catching sight of him, she saw Fox running with his right-hand holding on to the front of his crotch.

"Fox!!" Teena managed to get his attention. Making a sudden stop, Fox waved to his mommy, smiling, but that wasn't what she wanted," Fox, come over here this instant!!"

The sharpness of her voice made him hurry to her side as he ran with his hand still in the same place.

Teena gasped at the sight in front of her. Fox's T-shirt was covered with grass stains. His face was red from both the sun and the sheer enjoyment of running so much. The worst of it, was where his right hand was, Teena removed it immediately. It looked horrible for him to hold himself that way. Teena also needed to be sure he didn't soil himself again. Any mistakes and her husband Bill would bring down the house.

"Fox, you need to go to the bathroom, and look at your shirt! How could you get it so dirty?! You need to be clean up now!"

"NO!!" He protested. Fox didn't want to leave any of the fun he was having.

"Don't you tell me,'NO'..." Teena was about to get up, when the lady of the house stopped her.

"Teena, don't trouble yourself. I'll have Nancy clean him up for you. You shouldn't be straining yourself at all. NANCY!!"

A young woman appeared from inside of the house, dressed in a plain black maid's outfit.

"Nancy, please take Mrs. Mulder's son inside to use the bathroom and also do clean him up. Teena, dear, did you bring any extra clothes for him?"

"Oh, I have to... he is always getting dirty. His extra clothes are in the bag I brought with me," One of the servants had taken the bag from Teena when she and her family first arrived. Nancy knew where to find it," It's the light blue bag with my initials on it, T.M," Teena informed the young woman.

Nancy gently took Fox's hand but he pulled away.

"NO!!" Not wanting to go with a stranger, Fox rushed to his mother, trying to hide from everyone by pressing his face against her growing stomach. "Mommy, take me!!" He begged.

"Fox William Mulder, you go with Nancy! Don't make me call your father over here!"

The mention of his daddy suddenly quieted the little boy.

As she watched her son being taken away, Teena made a final comment.

"I do hope my baby is a girl. Boys are so much trouble."

Everyone around the table, agreed.

Howard Norris hated his job.

As a government-paid photographer, he found some of his subjects boring at times, such as this event. He knew all the important figures here, many of them he had worked with for years. He had photographed many things with these men, some things, he would like to forget.

The gathering was an event to find new recruits, new blood to continue the Project. Howard Norris hoped he would be dead before the Project came to an end.

He lifted his camera and started shooting.

William Scully, Sr. stood proudly in line as he was introduced to each of the men who were important figures in the Government. Shaking their hands, he made sure that he spoke loudly and properly.

The second to the last man took his hand," William Mulder, thank you for coming..."

"William Scully, sir. It's an honor..."

William Mulder grinned, shaking his head. He moved onto the next man in line.

William Scully extended his hand to the last gentleman he was to meet," William Scully, sir. It's an honor..." He spoke first.

The man took his hand as removed the cigarette from his mouth," It's a pleasure to meet you, Scully..."

Howard Norris continued to take pictures.

Finally free again, Fox quickly left the house in search of the children he had played with earlier.

The lady, his mommy made him go with, was nice to him. Fox gave her a big hug before heading back outside to the fun.

The smell of the barbecue filled Fox's nose causing his stomach to growl. He didn't feel hungry before now he wanted something to eat.

Seeing a group of children surrounding a table, Fox's eyes lit up when he saw all of them eating potato chips and holding cups to drink. He ran over wanting some of the potato chips for himself. When he moved up to the table, Fox was greeted with his own cup of punch and a small paper plate of chips that a nice lady handed to him.

"Tank you..." Fox smiled and the lady returned the smile.

Trying hard to hold onto his treats, Fox bumped into the other children knocking a few the chips off his plate.

"X'cuse me!!" Fox tried to be polite.

Just as he was about to take a drink from the cup, Fox felt a tug on his shirt from behind. Quickly turning around, he once again came face to face with the baby he had seen earlier. Giving him a huge smile, she held a tight grip on his shirt.

"NO!!" Fox told her as he pulled free from her hand. He moved away but the baby was right behind him grabbing his shirt from the back again.

"NO!!" He pulled away again and quickened his pace losing quite a bit of his punch and some of the potato chips off his plate.

Thinking it was now safe Fox again tried to drink his punch when the baby reappeared before him, giggling as she rested on his chest.

Frowning, Fox stuck his tongue at her.

Dumb baby.

Maybe if he didn't look at her, she would disappear.

Fox brought the cup up to his mouth, drinking the punch as the baby watched him with fascination. She squeaked when drops of the punch juice landed on her face, dripping from the cup Fox was not holding onto very well. Some of the punch ended on his chin, down his neck and on his T-shirt.

"Look! I spill..." Fox told the baby," Your fault!!"

He stuck his tongue out at her again. This time the baby stuck hers right back.

Tired of the dumb baby and wanting to eat his chips. Fox walked away from her.

Tossing the cup down, Fox stuffed a few chips he had left into his mouth, munching them, greedily. Fox loved potato chips and didn't get to eat them that often.

"Da?" The baby stood in front of Fox again, her hand raised toward him. The gestured she made to him, indicated she wanted a chip.

"NO!!" Fox swung away from her but the baby continued to match his every move.

"NO!!" Fox said again, but finally gave up. There was something about her eyes so pleading that Fox couldn't resist them.

Frowning again, Fox looked at the chips on his plate and handed her the smallest one.

Putting the chip in her mouth, the baby sucked on it vigorously.

Fox giggled," No how you eat chip... Look!"

He popped one into his mouth and slowly munched on it. Opening his mouth to show the chewed-up chip, all wet and lumpy, Fox closed his mouth and swallowed it.

Finishing the chip off, the baby begged for another one. There were only two chips left on his plate, Fox again gave her the smallest one and popped the last one in his mouth.

"All gone!!" Fox waved the empty plate in front of her.

Taking the plate from him, the baby studied it, brought it close to her face licking it clean.

"Da!!" She told Fox, as he dusted his hands on his shorts.

Tired of the baby, again, Fox turned away wanting to find the children he had played with earlier when the baby grabbed his hand.

Pulling his hand free, Fox frowned at her. He didn't want to hold any dumb baby's hand but before Fox could move away, the baby took his hand again.

"No, baby!! No hold hand!!" Fox pulled away once more, but she grabbed him again, giggling from the fun of it.

This went on for a few more seconds, grabbing and pulling, leaving Fox frustrated and tempted to push the baby down. When a boy, with red hair liked the baby's, bullied himself up to Fox.

"Hey!! Whatcha doing to my sister?!"

"Nothin..." Fox back away as he brought his thumb to his mouth. Mean kids like this one frightened Fox. He wanted to get away before the kid told his daddy. Poor Fox was always getting into trouble.

"Better not!!" The redheaded boy shook his fist at him. With the other hand, he grabbed his baby sister's arm.

Screaming at the top of her lungs, the baby tried to pull free from her brother as he dragged her away from Fox. Holding a tight grip on her, the redheaded boy would not let go, leaving the baby with one chance. She opened her mouth wide and bit her brother hard on the arm.

The boy screamed, as his sister broke free of his grip and dashed back to Fox wrapping her tiny arms around him.

"Dana like you," Another redhead appeared.

This time, it was a girl who was about as tall as Fox was, giggling as she brought her hands up to her mouth. The redheaded boy tried to take Dana's arm again, but she screamed, ready to bite him once more.

"Better not, Billy... Dana have boyfriend," The redheaded girl laughed again.

Fox wondered what boyfriend meant, as he looked at the boy called Billy waiting for him to do something. Instead Billy shrugged his shoulders.

"We going to the puppet show... wanna come?" Billy asked him.

"OK!!" Fox's eyes were wide with excitement.

He remembered that his mommy telling him about the puppet show and all the games they were going to have. Fox wanted to do everything.

Not putting up a fight this time, Fox held Dana's hand as they all walked to the puppet show together.

Howard Norris was now free to roam the party. He would have to report back but this was his time now.

When he was young, Norris had hoped to be a great news photographer. All his dreams ended when he was drafted into the army.

His photographic skills did not go unnoticed as the Group recruited him for the Project. He never forgot the first assignment for them, as much as he wanted to. Where he developed the stomach to handle each session, he was unsure of as the strange beings he would photograph.

Once in awhile, Norris would stop and take a picture. His favorite subject, were children.

Norris was not a pedophile.

Finding children to be a subject that relaxed him, freeing his mind from the horrors he faced each time he was called in by the Group to photograph certain subjects.

As he continued to walk, Norris came upon a large group of children attending a puppet show.

Lifting his camera, Norris span with each shot when he came upon a little boy and a baby girl, each with their arms around one another. Norris recognized the boy right away as Bill Mulder's son, Fox.

Norris shook his head. He felt sorry for the poor kid. Mulder was rough on his son. It shocked him the first time that he had seen Bill Mulder hit the little boy.

Knowing Mulder from the start, Norris remembered him to be a really nice and friendly guy. Whatever happened to the man, he thought he had known ended when Mulder hit his child square on the face. Poor kid was no more than a year old.

What the poor kid's crime was, Norris recalled, was being his age and sucking on his thumb.

Mulder kept yanking the thumb out of Fox's mouth but the kid kept putting it back in. This went on for a while, Mulder pulling the thumb out, the kid putting right back in. He remembered the look on Mulder's face, red and frustrated.

When Fox put his thumb back in one more time, Bill Mulder slapped him across the face knocking the poor baby down. Norris never forgot the scream that Fox let out, it reminded one of the subjects made as he photographed it, shaking from fear.

The baby's crying attracted the attention of everyone around. One of the men he knew picked up the crying Fox, throwing his cigarette out of his mouth as he comforted the poor child.

Norris remembered the guilt and regret on Mulder's face when he realized what he had done. When he tried to take his son back, the baby refused to leave the arms of his rescuer. Fox stayed there until his mother came and took him away.

Norris never saw Mulder hit the kid in the face again. He had lowered his aim more at his son's bottom.

Poor kid.

Norris liked Fox. He thought Fox was a really sweet kid. It was a shame Bill couldn't appreciate what he had.

Whoever the baby was, she was beautiful. She and Fox looked cute together.

Norris lifted his camera and shot several pictures of them.

Teena Mulder was fanatic. She could not find Fox anywhere. Against her friends' advice, she left the table calling for her son. Not seeing him for over a half-hour, the thoughts of anything happening to her baby drilled into her mind. She kept calling for him until Teena heard her own name called out.

"Teena, what's wrong?" Her husband, Bill approached her.

"Have you seen Fox? I can't find him anywhere..." Teena's worried voice caused Bill to become upset.

"Teena, go sit down. I'll find him for you."

Hesitating a bit, Teena Mulder did as she was told. Hoping she would find Fox on her way back before Bill did. She never knew how he would react toward Fox.

As Bill Mulder searched the grounds for his son, his anger was rising.

Already the agenda had gone against him with the other members of the Group. His futile words and ideas to move in a different direction had left him again the odd man out. Always the broken one, Bill's weakness against the power he chose to follow and the path he once believed in was difficult to let go.

The path tha had fueld his anger and fustration had cost his family much grief and fear. He needed some power, somewhere. A world to obey his command, to make himself more human than he really was.

Bill Mulder did love his son. When Fox was born, Bill had hoped for a daughter, but loved his boy the moment he saw him.

Somewhere along the line, Bill Mulder had lost all his patience with the world and with himself. The guilt he lived with, his mission in the Project made him a short-tempered man. Poor Fox with his high-strung energy annoyed his father to no end. Without meaning to, Bill Mulder turned his son into his punching bag.

Now the boy had upset his mother. Bill Mulder would not tolerate this against his pregnant wife.

Fox was going to get it.

As soon as Bill Mulder found him, Fox was going to get the spanking of his young life.

Laughing out of sheer delight, Fox was enjoying the puppet show as well as the company of the redheaded baby.

Every time something exciting would happen, Fox would pat Dana's knee and point it out to her.

"Look, Dana, look!!"

Remembering the baby's name because the other girl had called her that. Dana would squeal in delight and started clapping with Fox.

Frightened by one of the puppets, Dana clung tight to Fox who reassured her.

"It OK, Dana," Fox patted her knee.

During one moment in the show, Dana pulled herself up to kiss Fox on his cheek. He made a face at her. This time Dana kissed him on the lips and giggled when she sat down.

"No kiss me, Dana... YUCK!!" Fox wiped his mouth with his arm.

Fox looked at Dana who stared back at him with her big blue eyes. They both giggled at each other.

Walking quietly among the crowd of partygoers, one man lit a cigarette and marveled at the two children together.

Whoever the little baby girl was, she was a beauty. She and Fox looked cute together.

Maggie Scully watched her children as they sat together at the puppet show.

Dana had disappeared on her again. Having searched the grounds fanatically for her, Maggie found all three of her children, together. She gave much thanks to God for their safety.

There was no way for Maggie to miss the little boy who Dana had her arm entangled with his.

They looked so cute together. The little boy had such a sweet face that it melted Maggie's heart. He seemed to show great interest in Dana. She couldn't help laughing when Dana kissed the little boy twice.

When the show ended, the little boy helped Dana to stand. Still holding each other's hands, they followed Billy and Melissa away from the puppet stage.

It was Melissa who first spotted their mother.

"MOMMY!! MOMMY!! We just saw the puppy show!! It fun!!"

"Yeah, I liked the pirate puppet!!" Billy added swinging his arm like he held a sword.

"That's sounds wonderful! I'm glad you all had fun... and who is this?" Maggie turned to Dana and her new friend. Letting out a squeak to her mother, Dana kept her hand tight on the little boy's hand.

"That Dana boyfriend!!" Melissa teased.

Billy was going to tell but he remembered he never asked the kid his name.

Maggie bent over to the little boy," What is your name, Sweetheart?"

Feeling shy as the lady looked upon him, Fox bashfully brought his head down. He couldn't keep his eyes away from the lady, though. Her voice was nice and sweet that Fox found himself attracted to her, a feeling he didn't have for many grownups except for his Mommy.

"Fox..." he said shyly through his fingers.

"Fox!!" Billy laughed," What a dumb name!!"

Putting his head down again, it was not the first time someone made fun of Fox's name.

"BILLY!!" His mother scolded him. She bent down closer to Fox and lifted his head with her fingertips," I think 'Fox' is a wonderful name..."

The touch somehow made a connection between Maggis and Fox. She found herself strongly attracted to the boy. Being up close to him, she suddenly noticed a bit of sadness in his eyes. Maggie wondered what could cause, such pain in a child this young?

Billy Scully, Jr. frowned, not liking the attention his mother was giving to that dumb kid with the dumb name. He pulled impatiently on her arm.

"Mommy, let go!!"

"All right, Billy, that's enough!!" Maggie pulled free from her son's grip," Melissa, Dana, let's go now and find Daddy..."

Seeing them ready to leave, Fox stared at both the lady and Dana, who still had her hand on his.

"Come on, Dana... Say goodbye to your friend..." Maggie called to her.

Pressing her body closer to Fox, Dana put her free arm around his stomach. Not moving an inch and gave a firm," NO!!" to her mother.

"Dana..." Maggie shook her head and turned back to take Dana's hand, but the baby held tight to Fox.

Fox himself didn't want Dana to go. He liked her and wanted to still play with her and two other kids. A thought came to him and asked," Can I go with you?"

Surprised by Fox's requested, Maggie felt bad that she had to tell the little boy, no, but thought at least they could walk him back to his mother.

Before Maggie had a chance to answer Fox, a voice boomed before her.

"Fox!!! GET OVER HERE!!!"

All of them jumped. The voice was so commanding and frightening. A man with dark menacing eyes stared directly at Fox, who was cowering, afraid to look straight at the man. Dana had let go of his hand when the man's voice shouted behind them. She was just as frightened as Fox was, but she had her mother there to protect her as she clung to her leg.

"Fox, come here immediately!!" The man shouted again, pointing to where he wanted the boy to stand.

At first, Fox was too scared to move. Not understanding what he might have done bad, he fidgeted with his fingers and stared at the lady with his eyes pleading.

"NOW!!" Bill Mulder shouted.

Fox moved toward his father when he heard the command in his voice. Before he could stand near his daddy, a huge hand grabbed him by the arm, shaking him.

"Where have you been?! You worried your mother!! I can't take you anywhere without you upsetting her..." he continued to yell at Fox as he dragged him away.

Maggie stood there in shock. Suddenly a feeling of shame came across her for not saying anything. It was obvious the man was the boy's father, but he didn't need to shout or shake the boy that way. If he and his wife had kept.

Dana!!

Howard Norris was not far when he heard the voice of Bill Mulder shouting. He turned to see Mulder dragging his son. The poor kid was in tears, the opposite of what he had been only a few minutes ago at the puppet show.

Norris lifted his camera and started shooting.

Fox was trying his hardest not to cry. Crying only made his daddy angrier. It was difficult for the small boy to hold back his tears. He couldn't understand what he had done bad?

He cried for his mommy.

"Stop crying!!"

Fox thought of the nice lady. He wanted to go with her.

He cried.

"Stop crying or I'll give you a reason to cry!!"

Fox thought of Dana. He missed her. He wanted Dana!!

Wailing out his frustration, Fox couldn't remember what he had done bad?!

Suddenly they stopped. With his body being forcefully turned around, Fox felt the hard smacks against his behind, one, two, three times!! It hurt so much that his legs gave out. Without his daddy supporting him, Fox fell hard to the ground.

Crying again for his mommy, for the lady... for anyone, except for his daddy who turned away in disgust at the sissy of a son he had.

Covering his eyes with his hands, Fox tried to push the tears back when he felt a soft touch on his cheeks.

The softness circled his neck, hugging him as Fox slid his hands down to let the embrace tightened.

He felt the soft skin pressing against his left cheek as he listened to the soft chattering which made no sense at all, but felt good to hear.

A very wet kiss was placed on his forehead.

His tears slowed down, clearing enough for Fox to see Dana facing him. A look of love on her face, as she urged a few more baby words then crawled upon his lap. Wrapping her tiny arms around him, she rested her head on his chest. Fox in turned hugged her back. She was so soft, like the teddy bear he once had.

The embrace could have last forever.

Never trusting his son around infants from the way Fox held the baby, Bill Mulder was certain he was hurting the little girl.

Grabbing hold of the baby by her waist, he pulled her away from Fox.

Dana screamed, trying to hold onto Fox, who was trying to pull her back.

"NO!! SHE MINE!!!" Fox cried out to his father.

The screaming of the children attracted everyone nearby. Rushing over, Bill Scully, Sr. recognized the child that Bill Mulder had in his hands.

"Dana!!"

Hearing her daddy's voice caused Dana to lose her grip on Fox, allowing Bill Mulder to free her of Fox's own grip.

Bill Scully scooped Dana into his arms. She felt a great sense of relief and safety with her daddy. His hands were warm, compared to the icy touch she experienced with Bill Mulder.

"I apologize," Bill Mulder spoke," It's Scully, right?"

Bill Scully nodded.

"For any harm my son has done to your daughter. You can't trust that boy..." Bill Mulder added.

"No, it's all right..." Bill Scully replied as he patted Dana on the back. William Mulder was one of the men he and the others were introduced to, a high-up-there guy in the State Department.

"No!! It's not all right!!" A female voice shouted from behind Bill Scully.

Maggie Scully stormed up. Her eyes filled with hated as she stared directly at Bill Mulder.

"What a horrible man you are!! What have you done to this poor child?!! Fox never harmed my daughter!! He was a gentleman, more than you ever can be!!"

"Maggie, please!!" Bill Scully pulled his wife back, but her eyes never left Bill Mulder, who stood there without a single emotion on his face.

"You don't deserve such a sweet little boy, YOU DON'T!!"

That was it, Bill Scully gently pushed his wife away from Bill Mulder and handed Dana to her as he walked them away.

Maggie Scully eyed Bill Mulder for the final time, hoping she would never see that face again.

Bill Mulder stood watching until Maggie Scully was no longer staring at him. The crowd around him slowly turned away.

The few people that remained watched Bill Mulder picked up his son and walked away.

Not seen by either Bill Mulder or the Scullys, Howard Norris clicked his last shot, ending the chapter of Fox and Dana's first encounter.

From a distance he lit another cigarette. He enjoyed the show that took place before him. The woman was quite brave. It was good to see someone tell Bill Mulder off.

Scully was a name he would remember.

Teena Mulder sat alone at the table waiting and worrying about Fox. Her friends had excused themselves to care to their own business.

Searching the area around her, Teena let out a sigh of relief when she saw her husband, Bill coming with Fox in his arms. Her baby was so still that the worry came back.

"Here, Teena..." Bill handed Fox to her. She took her son and placed him next to her in the chair.

Teena was surprised but did not say anything. Fox's eyes were dazed and as though he would fall asleep at any moment. She could not believe that Bill had not said nor done anything about Fox having his thumb in his mouth.

"I need to be in a meeting for awhile, Teena. You should get something for you and Fox to eat..." Bill then turned away.

The look on his face, as far as Teena could say, was regret. What could have caused that?

She looked down at her baby boy, who seemed not to notice her. She brushed his hair away from his forehead, talking softly to him.

Fox was trying to forget. He could remember things so clearly, like the picture books he had at home. He wanted to forget Dana and the lady, to remember them would be too painful.

With each suck, he wiped an image away, another suck he would forget the little girl's name. He kept sucking until there was nothing left of Dana and her family.

When he was done, Fox Mulder closed his eyes and slept.

Because of her age, Dana Scully had no memory of the little boy, who she adored.

Margaret Scully forced herself to forget. She didn't want the guilt of leaving the little boy in the hands of a monster to haunt her forever.

For Bill, Jr. and Melissa Scully, the Fourth of July Barbecue, 1965 mixed with many other barbecue memories. Fox's face was lost in the crowd of other children.

Bill Scully, Sr. remembered the Fourth of July 1965, as an opportunity to advance in his military career. Nothing came from it. He was never angry at his wife for her outburst at the barbecue. His career in the Navy had gone on.

Bill Mulder never forgot the woman who called him a horrible man. It stung him but it didn't stop or make him rethink his approach to child rearing. Maggie Scully's action had nothing to do with the Group rejecting her husband. The man was not the material they needed.

As for Howard Norris, he had developed the pictures he would consider the best photographs he would ever take.

Carefully storing them in his fireproof safe, he would pull them out once in awhile, both the good and the bad, to admire.

Howard Norris forever cherished the image of Fox Mulder and the little baby girl who made a sad little boy happy for that one day in 1965.

Shopping Mall, Present Time

In the crowd of Christmas shoppers, Fox Mulder was alone as he studied each of the photographs. A memory lost but preserved in them, proof that he and Dana once met so long ago.

The photographs of him and his father were disturbing to Fox. The form of child abuse, that he had suffered through his father's rage, burned in each of the photographs that displayed it. Fox did not need the memory of that day to know the feeling of fear that would occur when Bill Mulder would raise his voice and hand to him.

He knew the little girl was Dana. Fox had seen enough photographs of her as a baby to be able to recognize her. The same was also for Maggie Scully. Mom was the same as she was today, the woman's beauty was timeless.

Putting aside the disturbing photographs of him and his father, Fox held the one photograph that he loved the most. Dana was comforting him as she does today. So long ago, she once reached out to him.

Walking up to Fox, Dana had decided to stop shopping. Needing only to buy one more gift that could wait until tomorrow, Dana called out to him," Fox, I'm ready to go..."

At first, Fox did not hear her, but looked up when he felt her eyes on him.

"Come here..." Fox reached out to her.

Dana took his hand as he led her to sit on his lap. For a moment, she was uncomfortable, doing this in front of such a large crowd of people. The wrong eyes could see them.

Fox didn't notice nor care, as he wrapped his arms around her and felt her chest rising against his face.

He wanted to remember. Maybe if he held her just like he did so many years ago, everything would come back.

Fox took a deep breath and searched.

He remembered the soft touch on his cheeks.

He felt the softness circle his neck to hug him once more.

The embrace tightened when he brought down his hands.

The soft skin pressed against his cheek as he listened once again to the soft chatter that made no sense.

A kiss on his forehead, that was wet but was welcome back.

When he opened his eyes and saw the little girl whom was now was the woman he loved and adored.

It was an embrace that would last forever.

From a distant, he watched them. Craving a cigarette, he moved away and back to the outside world.

He was glad that he gave them the photographs. It seemed that he did have a kind heart after all.

Eleven months ago, Howard Norris committed suicide.

The man put a bullet through his head after he had destroyed all his photographs except for what had been found in the fire-proof safe, photographs of children, innocents in Norris' eyes.

One stack contained the photographs from July 4th, 1965, as stated behind each photograph. More than thirty of the photographs were of a young Fox Mulder, an unknown little girl, a few of William Mulder and a young couple.

When the photographs were given to him, the memory of that date came rushing to him.

He kept the photographs with him, studying them, remembering the event over and over again.

When he had learned of Fox and Ms. Scully's new relationship, he felt a sense of happiness for the two. He felt it was only right that he should give the photographs to them.

He was in no rush. Christmas seemed to be the right time. He could have left them on Mulder's desk, to leave a sense of mystery. Instead, he chose to deliver them himself.

Keeping one photograph of a young Dana Scully giving her future partner his first kiss on the lips. It had a sweetest to it just like the one of her embracing the crying Fox.

Maybe one day, he would also give them that photograph. For now, it sat on a table along with the other photographs he had of Fox Mulder.

A reminder of what could have been.

December 26th- Fox's Apartment: Late Afternoon

Diana Fowley waited nearly six hours for Fox Mulder in his apartment.

Unable to stay away from him, Diana had knocked on his door. When there was no answer, she let herself in. No longer having the key, she knew a few tricks to do the job when she opened the door.

Shocked at how vacate his place looked, Diana explored each of the rooms she knew so well. His closets and shelves were empty. The fish tank she had given to him was nowhere to be seen. His computer was on but dusty-looking.

There was nothing in his refrigerator nor covers in his kitchen, but that was normal for Fox. She remembered that he preferred takeout food to a home cook meal.

The whole apartment looked abandoned.

After looking around, Diana removed her coat, revealing the sexy nightie she had on. Fox did love these things. He always said she had the body for it.

This was her Christmas present for him. The chance again to show the love she had for him, Diana wanted to offer her body once more to him. With a change of plans, she moved everything to his bedroom, waiting for him to come home.

'Where could he be? ' was the question she asked herself.

Feeling hungry, Diana decided to come by later to give it another try. Redressing with the extra clothes she brought with her, Diana could not believe that Fox wasn't home.

As she recalled his pattern, holidays depressed him. No matter how she tried, Diana could never get him into the spirit of the season.

Fox was even a grouch when it came to his own birthday. Throwing a surprise party for him once, Fox ended up walking out as soon as everyone shouted surprise. Diana didn't see him for three days.

Unless he had gone to visit his mother... but Diana remembered Fox could barely stand being around her. Every time he would talk to her on the phone, it would end up in a fight. He would throw the phone against the wall and fall to the ground, crying. When Diana tried to comfort him, he would scream at her.

"GET The FUCK AWAY FROM ME!!! DON'T TOUCH ME!!!"

Fox would then get up and leave. Diana would not see him for hours, maybe even days.

There were times Fox would allow Diana to comfort him, but it always led to a fight between them. Regretting that he gave into any childish feelings in front of her brought out his rage and shame. Though he never lifted his hand against her, Fox's words were as sharp as any knife that would cut her.

The only time Fox was truly happy was when he discovered the X-Files. Diana was there with him. With her own background, she became his biggest supporter. Nothing pleased her more when she did. Diana never found any faults with his theories.

Unlike that Scully woman.

She was in disbelief when Fox defended Scully against her, when Diana spoke her opinion about his partner's skepticism in his quest for the Truth.

Yet, Fox came to Diana's side as Scully accused her of any misleading concerning Cassandra Spender.

How close that bitch came to revealing the truth to Fox.

Still, Fox believed in Diana even as they struggled to save themselves from the invasion that never came. It would have been perfect, but Fox wanted that Scully bitch by his side. Fleeing to her even as the world was about to end.

When Fox suffered some kind of telepathy ability a few months ago, he called her for help. At least, it was something Diana chose to believe.

"Mo... Mom..? Maggie, is that you?"

"Fox? Is that you on the line? This is Diana..."

"Diana..? I didn't mean... I wanted Mom... Dana... Scully can't help me... she's not here... I meant to call Mom..."

Hearing the distress in his voice brought her concerns for him," Fox, what is it? What wrong?"

"I... I need help, Diana... Dana... Scully... she can't help me... She too far away... She doesn't understand... it's too much... it's too MUCH!!!" His voice became loud as he screamed through the receiver causing her to back away," Can't stop them... can't stop them... Dana... Scully... I need help... Diana... Only you would believe me... what's happening to me..."

"Fox, I want to help you... Tell me where you are...?"

When she had arrived at the University and found him in the stairwell where he said he would be. He sat motionlessly with his eyes half opened. His breathing was short as his fingers rested against his mouth.

"Fox...?" Diana approached him," What happened to you?"

"I wanna go home... I wish I could go home..." was all he would say to her.

"I'll take you home, Fox... I'll help you..."

"I wish I could go home..." He repeated again, as Diana helped him to stand and walk away.

When they arrived to his apartment, Fox immediately went to bed.

"Dana said I should go to bed..."

Hearing Fox say Scully's first name was foreign to her. Still, it wasn't anything to be concern about, except for Fox as she helped him undress and climb into bed.

He had whispered something that Diana did not hear as the phone rang in his bedroom. She answered it and heard the one voice she could not stand. The Scully bitch was on the other end and wanted to speak to Mulder.

Without addressing whom she was, Diana kept her voice calm as she handed the phone to Fox.

Listening to the conversation did not bring anything understanding of what was happening to Fox. He seemed unwilling to talk to her about it. Unlike the phone conversation he was having with the Scully bitch showed no sign of any weakness she had seen earlier at the University.

After making her own phone call, Diana undressed and put on one of Fox's T-shirts. Her plans were to crawl into bed with him, and give him the comfort he needed.

His reaction to her was not what she had expected.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?!!! Get the fuck away from me!!! I..." His screams were like that of an injured animal. Throwing his head back as his hands covered his ears," NO MORE!!! OH, GOD!!! NO MORE!!! Dana!!! DANAAAA!!!"

Suddenly his eyes turned to her, widened with the sense of revelation. His face changed with the pure hate, she had seen him give to others.

As his fit grew worse, Diana took matters into her own hands, dealing with it the only way she could.

Once at the hospital, his condition became worse. He was violent and uncontrollable. Not even the medicine could slow him down, as his rage continued.

While in the padded room, his voice erupted without any understanding save for two words," Dana... Scully..."

When Dana Scully did arrive to the hospital, Diana hoped to learn what had caused Fox's unstable behavior. Yet, it was information the Scully bitch seemed ready to protect. She was order out of the room into the hallway by Skinner when the voice from the TV monitor came to life.

"DANAAAA!!!!" It was as if Fox knew she was there.

There in front of his building, Fox Mulder had in his arms, Dana Scully. Laughing together, Fox tried to kiss the Scully bitch but she broke free of his grip and threw snow at him.

Fox was laughing as each flake hit him. He had managed to reach the Scully bitch grabbing her back into his arms.

"OH, MY GOD, Dana!!! THAT WAS YELLOW SNOW!!! YUCK!!!"

Causing themselves to fall down, they were laughing as they landed on one of the steps. Never once did Diana see Fox angry when the Scully bitch threw more snow at him.

The sight before her was so unexpected as the words she heard him speak were unbelievable.

"I love you, Dana, I love you so much..."

"I love you, too, Fox. Now get up, Bad boy, and let's go inside..."

Diana drove by the lovers that did not notice the car speeding away from the curve. Only the kiss they shared was the only thing they cared about.

When they parted, Dana took Fox's hand and led him into the apartment building.

"Come on, Bad boy, there's a couch up there that needs sex on it."

"Oh, you got a way with words, baby..." Fox laughed as he followed his beloved into the apartment building.

Disclaimer: The characters of the X-Files do not belong to me. They are the property of Chris Carter, 1013 Productions and Fox Broadcasting. No copyright infringement is intended.

Summary: Lying injured, Dana recalls last Christmas with unknown man.

Chance New York: Abandoned Building

Dana Scully was sure she was dying.

Her body lied on a hard wooden floor near a creature that attacked her.

It was dead.

Having fallen through the rotten floors above them, the creature died on impact.

Scully had fallen on the creature's body. It had cushioned her fall but not the pain she felt when she landed on it. She managed to roll away from it, when the pain surged through her body causing her to fall back.

She lay there. It didn't feel right.

It was then that she felt someone take her hand.

" Fox...?" Scully tried to look but the room was dark, only enough light to see a silhouette shape of a man.

"It's all right, Dana..." The voice of a young man spoke," It's not your time... You'll be all right..."

"Who are you...?"

"You don't need to know who I am... know only that I am here with you... I will stay until Fox comes... He is looking for you... He heard the crash..."

Looking at the shape of the young man, Dana knew she was hallucinating. Nobody could be here. Not in this building, that was condemned. It had to be an illusion that her dying mind was playing on her.

With her eyes heavy, Dana started to drift away.

Feeling both his hands around her own squeezing it gently, Dana felt the strength and the love from the young man's embrace.

"Tell me about Christmas, Dana...?"

She smiled," Which one?"

"Any one you want, Dana..."

She smiled again and thought of the recent Christmas two weeks ago.

Friday, December 24th: Christmas Eve

"Look at all these presents!!" Fox Mulder exclaimed as he and Dana Scully walked into the living room of Maggie Scully's home, each of them carrying an arm full of presents.

The huge tree was beautifully decorated as it stood at the corner of the living room. Every space under it was covered with presents, so many different shapes and sizes.

"Are these all mine?" Fox smiled at Mother Scully as he lowered himself down to place the gifts next to the tree.

"Oh, I'm sure a few are... Here, Fox, just leave them there, I'll take care of it."

"No, let me help, please? Just tell me where to put them..."

As Maggie showed Fox where to place the presents, Dana rested the ones she had in her arms down on the couch.

It was a beautiful tree, lovelier than the one she had at home. Her mother always knew how to pick them.

Watching Fox and her mother arrange the presents under the tree, Dana knew she brought a big kid with her.

Fox had been excited about Christmas Eve. He nagged Dana all through last night's dinner, bedtime and breakfast this morning about coming to her mother's house for the holiday weekend.

Last night, Fox lined up all the presents against the front door for them to take when they left for Mother Scully's house the next day. Later in the evening, he placed every present back under the tree only because it didn't look right without them.

It took him forever to go to sleep. Fox kept on talking even after Dana had drifted in a peaceful slumber.

It was in the early morning when Dana heard him crying. She rolled over to check on him, when he turned to face her.

"It's my fault!!! Everything is my fault!!! Dana, I didn't mean to..."

Dana brought him closer to her, comforting Fox until he fell asleep.

The last few days, Fox had been on a roller coaster ride of his emotions. One moment he was cheerful, pleasant to be around, the next, he would be raging or crying.

How she found him yesterday worried Dana that he would not recover and be lost to her forever.

"Hey, Dana, what do you think?" Fox asked her, snapping her out of her thoughts.

Glancing over to look at his handiwork, all the presents were now lost in a sea of colors.

"Beautiful..." She smiled at him.

"You know, I remember we had trees just like this when I was growing up..." Fox smiled as he brought himself back onto his feet," ... Not as beautiful as this one... but closes... Mom would always use those colorful glass balls. Samantha and I use to help her decorate... I never broke one..."

Fox looked again at the tree. The smile disappeared from his face. Bringing his head down, tears rushed from him. Too many memories were pouring out for him to control.

"Oh, Fox..." Maggie moved toward him, taking him into her arms as he wrapped his own arms around her. There were too many memories for him not to let go.

Dana watched as her mother comforted Fox, his body relaxed as he let the pain out. It always broke Dana's heart, knowing what her Fox had gone through in his life. The things he had been facing these last few weeks, had been a triumph for him.

Until the photographs that the Cigarette Smoking Man gave to him had came into their lives.

Even though Dana had seen the photographs over and over again, it was still hard for her to believe that she and Fox had once met as children.

They were beautiful photographs. Dana had to admit they looked so cute together at that age. Fox at three, and her, over a year old. The innocence of their expression bared no markings of the future that waited for them. Free to enjoy life before the burden of age soon came upon them.

Spending time together viewing the photographs, each tried to imagine the events that took place around them and if any words were exchange between them as toddlers.

"... I bet you couldn't say a single word, Dana. You probably just spitted on my face..." Fox joked.

"Well, at least your face got clean that day..." Dana laughed.

Thanks to his eidetic memory, Fox was able to recover one part of the memory of that day. The hug Dana had given him shown so beautifully in the one of the photographs.

Dana always thought it was incredible Fox could remember a few things from his infancy. They were not complete memories, but more like flash images of his mother holding and loving him as small child. The few memories, he had of his father smiling and being a caring dad.

There were also the bad images, the ones that always stood out, fresh and ready to attack.

"Why do we always remember the bad stuff more than the good...?" Fox once told Dana.

Whenever they would look at the photographs, the ones of Fox and his father were always nearby. Dana had only looked at those awful photos once. Refusing to ever look at them again, she wanted Fox to destroy them but he wouldn't do it.

"It's part of my past, Dana. How could I just wipe it away clean?"

It was an endless argument that neither would bend on. She knew his comments extended from the fight they had about Diana Fowley, when Dana accused Fox of forcefully forgetting certain memories.

Leave it to him to remember her words and throw them right back into her face.

Trying hard to hold back her anger, Dana knew that Fox was tormenting himself with the photographs. Viewing them over and over again, he forced the images of his father's rage from that day to haunt him, that brought him close to tears. It was the following day after Fox received the photographs, that they showed them to Dana's mother.

Dana did not wanted Fox to bring the photographs of him and his father but her mother insisted upon it. Maggie Scully wanted nothing hidden from her.

The amazement on Maggie's face as she held each of the photographs disappeared the moment she saw the photos of the abuse that was done on Fox by his father.

The tears, Maggie Scully shed from the lack of memory of that day and knowing she had a chance to help Fox escape the abuse, weighted heavy on her heart.

Maggie asked Fox to forgive her.

"Mom... it's all right... there's nothing to forgive... Don't feel guilty for something that's not your fault..." Fox reassured her with a hug.

Except for the ones of him and his father, Fox promised to make copies of the photographs for her after the holidays.

Holding the 'Embrace' photograph again, Maggie smiled at him.

"I want this one in a 11" by 14," I want the whole world to see it..."

The day before Christmas Eve, Fox had frightened Dana to the point where she didn't think she could help him at all.

The morning was spent clearing paperwork and updating the files on the computer, leaving Fox Mulder's office silent and busy. Both Mulder and Scully kept to themselves, trying to complete as much of their work as possible, leaving everything clear to enjoy their two-day vacation that started at the end of the day.

Sitting too long in his chair, Mulder had offered to go and pick up lunch for them, giving him a chance to stretch his stiff legs.

Scully continued to work on her reports when he left and would have kept on going until her stomach started to growl.

Scully looked at her watch and noticed that Mulder was gone for more than two hours.

Frowning at his lateness, Scully picked up the phone to dial his cell number. If he was off doing something again without her, Scully planned to lecture Mulder through the ringer.

There was no answer.

Leaving the office, Scully searched around the building in some of the places he would go to and make a nuisance of himself.

There was no sign of him.

Thinking that he might be in Skinner's office, Scully saw the AD walking ahead of her with other agents.

There was no Mulder.

Returning to the office, hoping he would be there, she found the room empty.

No Mulder.

Scully tried again calling his cell phone.

Still no answer.

She called his place, only to get his answering machine.

There was no Fox.

Placing a call to the Lone Gunmen came up empty. None of them had seen him at all.

Deciding to try her place, Dana waited for the message on the answering machine to finish before speaking.

" Fox! It's me... are you there? Please pick up..."

She heard the receiver being lifted, as it shook against the body of the phone.

"... Dana...?"

"Fox..?!"

His voice sounded frightened and childlike.

"What's wrong?! Please talk to me, Fox?!!"

"Please come home, Dana... I'm scared... I'm so scared..."

"All right, sweetheart, coming right now..."

Hanging up the phone and grabbing her coat, Scully didn't bother to inform Skinner of her departure. She would call him later.

Right now, Fox needed her.

Whatever came over him frightened her to no end.

When she arrived at her apartment, Dana felt for her gun, positioning her hand in case she needed it.

Dana opened the door, carefully. There in front of her was Fox sitting on the couch. The back of the couch faced the front door, leaving only his head for Dana to see as she approached him.

"Fox?" Dana stopped, shocked by the sight in front of her.

Fox sat on the couch with his legs curled up to his chest, clinging tight to her bathrobe. His thumb gliding side to side against his bottom lip as he stared out in a daze. Rocking his body back and forth, he did not notice Dana coming in. Surrounding his feet were the photographs of him and his father.

Dana moved up to him," Fox...?"

His body stopped rocking, when his eyes came upon her. His arms stretched out as Fox begged Danad to come to him.

Dana rushed to his side and held him tight. His own grip locked her into his arms.

"Make it stop... I can't make it stop!!! I wasn't a bad boy!!! I wasn't!!"

"No, Fox, no. You never were a bad boy. It's not true..."

"I'm not a bad boy!! I'm not a bad boy!! I didn't make Mommy cry. It's not my fault!! Please tell me it's not my fault!!"

"No, baby, it's not your fault. It never was..."

"Why couldn't I go with Sam? Why didn't he want to save me?! Why didn't he?"

Giving in, Fox cried against her body. Dana held on tighter to him, fighting back her own tears.

Her thoughts came to one name: Bill Mulder.

Dana wished he were alive so she could kill him.

Looking over to where the photographs were, Dana tossed them away as they scattered across the floor.

She would get rid of them.

Burn them, she would!!

Suddenly Fox stopped, as he pulled his body away from her and off the couch. He sat in front of her on the floor, gently separating her legs. Crawling in between them, Fox rested his head near her chest and brought his legs up putting himself back into the same position he was on the couch.

With one hand he clung to her blouse, while the other hand still held onto her bathrobe. He closed his eyes ready to fall asleep.

Brushing his hair with her fingers, Dana rested her own head on his as she hummed to him rocking his body with hers.

For the first time since she had known him, Dana Scully felt helpless. She just didn't know what to do for Fox, except to be there with him.

Maybe that was all he wanted.

December 25th: Christmas

It had been a late morning when Dana and Fox finally awoke at Maggie Scully's house for Christmas day.

Tired from the party Maggie had at her home that was filled with family and friends, who came to share the joy of the holiday together.

The smiles and laughter coming from Fox Mulder showed no scars from the events that had happened in the last few days as he enjoyed himself to no end.

Dana smiled as well, knowing the strength in the man she loved. Life had thrown many curves at her Fox. Yet, he had always managed to stand a test of his survival against the injustice that was done to him in his life.

Fox reached over and took her hand. Dana knew now the strength that she gave him, as well as what he gave to her, helped them move away from the tragedies of childhood and the blessing for each other.

Choosing not to open his presents until Christmas day, Dana decided to join Fox and waited for the morning. It was hard for Dana not to want to open any of her gifts on Christmas Eve, as her relatives and friends opened their presents in front of them.

Feeling her body being shaken, Dana awoke to an overzealous Fox Mulder towering over her.

"Come on!!! Let's go open our presents!!! Wake up, Dana!!!"

"OK... OK..." Stretching her body as she lifted herself up, Dana wrapped her arms around Fox giving him a kiss," Merry Christmas, Fox..."

"Merry Christmas, Dana... Let's go open our presents!!!" Fox jumped up and down on the bed, not having been this excited since he was eleven years old.

Seeing the youthfulness in his face brought it out of her as well. Dana gave Fox a devilish smile.

"RACE YOU!!!" Dana dashed passed Fox downstairs to the Christmas tree and all presents that awaited them.

The two of them were like big kids tearing into their gifts. Maggie had quietly followed in after them. With her camera in hand, she had proof of their silliness even after they would have denied it.

Being with Fox for Christmas, had been the most joyful of all the holidays Dana could remember. Not even last year's Christmas could compare to the moment of true sharing with him.

Fox's return to celebrating the spirit of the holiday was the best gift of all.

.... Dana smiled, as she recalled the events of those two days with Fox. She didn't want them to end.

"They won't, Dana... Be strong... He is coming..." The young man informed her.

"Can't you tell me who you are?" she asked again.

"A friend, Dana... A friend who cares very much for you and Fox..."

His hands gripped hers tighter but gentle at the same time.

"Would you like to hear about your first Christmas, Dana...?"

"My first Christmas?"

"Yes, Dana, remember..."

December 25th, 1964: Christmas Morning

William Scully, Sr. held his 10-month-old daughter, Dana as he brought her close to the Christmas tree.

" Look at the tree, Dana. Isn't it beautiful? The lights shine as beautifully as your eyes..." Her father hugged her tight, kissing her gently on her cheek.

Dana grinned with delight at the colorful tree, so much to look at with her young eyes. So much to see and touch.

Trying to reach for the red glass ball with her tiny hand, Dana was unable to touch it.

Seeing what she wanted her father removed the glass ornament, showing her their reflection in it.

"See, Dana? Do you see yourself and Daddy, honey?" He held the glass ball close to her.

Dana let out a squeak when she noticed the sight in front of her.

There she saw herself and her daddy all red in the ball.

"See... sweetie, we will always be together..."

"... Together..." Dana whispered as her eyes met the unseen man.

"Yes, Dana, he is always with you... and so are we..." The young man spoke.

It was then that Dana saw behind the young man, three other shapes. She was unsure if they were men or women. It didn't matter. She felt safe with them.

Suddenly, Dana felt something wrong. The lower part of her body ached, as she felt the warm liquid coming from between her legs.

"I'm sorry, Dana... this one was not meant to be..."

"... What do you mean...?"

"You will have other chances, Dana... I'm sorry for your loss..."

"Scully!!!" Mulder's voice shouted out from a distance.

The young man turned his head to the direction where Mulder had called out for Scully. The silhouette of the young man's face resembled that of.

She heard the door crashing in. The light from his flashlight scanned the room until it came upon her.

"Dana..." Fox rushed to her side touching her face with his hand. With his other hand he guided the flashlight along her body and saw the blood between her legs.

"Dana, no!!!"

Fox brought himself closer to her as he reached for his cell phone, hitting the right button. He brought the phone up to his face.

"This is Special Agent Fox Mulder, I have an agent down, I need to have..."

Dana did not hear what he was saying. The images she had seen were disappearing from her mind.

A lost memory, now like the child she no longer had inside of her.

A lost chance.

Dana closed her eyes, crying.

When Fox Mulder finished his call for help, he brought his face closer to hers. Trying to control his fears of losing her and the pain she was in.

Not far from where Fox held onto Dana, the dead creature lay unnoticed and forgotten. It would not be for some time that it would be revealed that the creature was a man who mental state was unbalance that created his violent nature.

None of this matter to Fox Mulder, only his concerns for Dana Scully kept him by her side even when they went to the hospital.

Disclaimer: The characters of the X-Files do not belong to me. They are the property of Chris Carter, 1013 Productions and Fox Broadcasting. No copyright infringement is intended.

Summary: As Fox cares for Dana, he painfully remembers the events from last December.

Dana's Apartment

Fox Mulder peeked into the bedroom to check on Dana Scully.

She was sounded asleep. Her head resting to the right as her arms held tight to the pillow pressed against her chest.

The pit of guilt swung inside of him as Fox closed the bedroom door.

Over a week ago, Dana had lost their baby.

The baby, the doctors once told her, she could never have.

The baby neither one of them knew about.

Dana was about six weeks pregnant, unaware of her condition.

Had he known, Fox would have never let Dana go with him after the man-creature.

He plopped down on the couch crying again. It was all he had done for the past few weeks, crying for the past, crying for Dana, now crying for their baby.

It was his fault Dana lost the baby. He should have never put her in such danger. When he saw all the blood around her, frightened that he was going to lose her. Fox clung to her, begging Dana not to leave him.

Selfish.

Thinking about him, not about her. Dana was injured, and dying and all he could think about were his own selfish needs.

(Don't leave me... Please don't leave me...)

Selfish.

Dana had lost the one thing she wanted so much.

A baby.

Their baby.

What was awful was Fox would rather lose a hundred babies than to lose Dana.

Selfish.

Fox covered his face with his arm as he leaned his head back against the couch, crying. When was he ever going to stop crying?!

The photographs.

Ever since they were given to him, his emotional life had been in turmoil. Fox thought he had let go of the past, accepted it and moved on. It came back crashing at him when he saw the abuse his father had done to him in the photographs.

The anger that Fox had known throughout his childhood was the man he knew as his father.

A man Fox believed had no compassion, not to the world or to the boy whom was his son.

Yet, the image of Bill Mulder had, within the past few years, taken a different turn. He was a different man then what Fox was told of by the men his father worked with.

When Dana was taken from him almost two years ago, the Englishman, who's own causes made him rebel against the group, helped Mulder to find and cure Scully of the virus that infected her.

The Englishman told him how his father allowed Samantha to be abducted and to save her genetically through cloning, a half-human, half-alien against the invasion that was soon to come.

Though the Englishman had told a different story a few years back, Mulder believed what he said this time to be true. For Mulder himself had witnessed the result of the cloning when Jeremiah Smith took him to the fields where many duplicates of his sister lived.

Almost a year ago, Fox was told a different story, by the man he hated the most.

The Cigarette Smoking Man told of the sacrifice made by the men of the group many years ago. Giving their families to the alien race for the genetical materiel needed to secretly stop the invasion.

The hated man praised Bill Mulder, a challenger to the cause. Crediting him with things that Fox believed were done by others. The noble sacrifice he made with his daughter brought a halt to the invasion and his attempt to create a vaccine to save the world.

What a great man his father was.

He was told that same night, for him to be reunited with his sister, Mulder was to stand aside and allow the world to end. Yet these events were avoided but left no truths for him to hold on.

The photographs from 1965 told the truth.

Having a few of the photos analyzed, had proved them to be authentic.

Nothing made Fox happier than to learn that he and Dana once met as children.

It was a memory that was lost to both of them.

A memory, Fox wanted to have back.

Fox had gotten one part of it back when he had Dana sit on his lap at the shopping mall. The memory of her embrace now lived in him forever as well as in the photograph that now sat on the mantle in her apartment.

As much as Fox enjoyed the sight of the photographs of himself and Dana, the ones of him and his father drew him in deeper.

Fox would stare at them. Reviewing the fear he saw in him as a child. The memories of so many other incidents that were seen through his young eyes now were seen in much older eyes that still knew the pain.

In his determination to search for the one memory, he had unlocked the floodgate of many painful memories.

Fox William Mulder was completely unprepared for the juggernaut that rushed at him.

Monday, December 20th: Dana's Apartment- 3:05 A.M.

Fox woke up.

He heard noises in the living room.

Freeing his grip on Dana, he carefully moved toward the living room with his weapon in his hand.

Seeing the lights on, Fox moved closer and walked not into Dana's living room but into his father's office at his childhood home. No longer having his gun in his hand, instead it was a report card he dreaded handing over to the towering figure in front of him.

"Let's see it, son..." Bill Mulder reached out to him. A seven-year-old Fox Mulder hesitated but moved forward with his report card extended out.

He knew he was going to get it.

Fox didn't do well in either Art or creative writing. He could already feel the belt cross his behind.

"What is this?! What did I tell you about bringing home grades like this?!"

"...not too..." Fox was struggling not to cry, his father hated crying. It only made him angrier.

"Not too... but you did!! What are you doing?!! Wasting my time?!! I could be doing other things than to be wasting my time with a stupid kid like you!!"

Fox backed up. He didn't feel stupid. He just didn't know how to draw very well.

"Put your hands out, Fox..."

Fox did as he was told. He closed his eyes, dreading the pain. He would rather be hit on his butt than on his hands. He had no choice when Fox felt the leather of the belt hit each of his hands once, but hard. He bit his lips together trying not to yell out.

"... You think about how to use those hands right the next time," His father turned away from him," Go to your room. I don't want to see you for the rest of the night..."

Fox did as he was told, holding his hands under his arms, cushioning the pain. He walked right back into Dana's bedroom and crawled into the bed. His hands hurt too much to hold his beloved.

Resting his head close to Dana, Fox cried silently for the pain of his hands as well as his heart.

December 20th: Mulder's Office- Late Afternoon

Mulder was alone in his office as he studied each of the photographs he brought with him.

He wanted to remember and hoped that the images before him would come to life in his mind.

Going through the ones with him and Dana, it didn't take long for Mulder to come to the ones of himself and his father. Letting out a sigh, he didn't want to remember this part of the memory.

Holding the set of photographs with the first one of Dana and himself sitting together, Mulder closed his eyes and focused.

Searching for the memory, he wanted to have back.

Fox Mulder opened his eyes to a young Maggie Scully standing before him.

"What is your name, Sweetheart?" Maggie had asked him.

Bringing his head down, Fox felt so shy when the lady asked him his name. Yet, his eyes could not stay away from the friendliness of her face.

"Fox..." he said so shyly as he fingers went to his mouth.

"Fox!!" He heard his name from the side and looked at a young Bill Scully, Jr. who stood next to him," What a dumb name!"

Putting his head down, Fox wanted to cry. Some kids made fun of his name. Why did Mommy have to give him a dumb name?

"BILLY!!" He heard the lady scolding her son. She was defending him.

Her fingertips touching his chin as she brought him up closer to her.

"I think Fox is a wonderful name..."

For a moment, Fox felt something for the lady. A familiar yearning he had for only one other person, his mommy. He liked the lady. She was very nice to him.

"Mommy, let go!!" The boy named Billy pulled on her arm.

"All right, Billy, that's enough!!" The nice lady got mad at him. Fox was glad. He didn't like Billy.

"... Melissa, Dana, let's go now and find Daddy..."

Fox looked at the lady and wondered where they were going? He felt Dana still holding his hand as she put her arm around his tummy.

"Come on, Dana... say goodbye to your friend," the lady told her.

"NO!!" Dana pouted.

Looking at Dana, Fox didn't want her to go either. He liked playing with her, even though she was a baby. He liked Melissa, too. Billy was mean, but Fox still wanted to play with them.

"Can I go with you?" Fox asked the nice lady.

The look of surprise was on the nice lady's face, but she never answered Fox, when they all heard the mean voice that caused the ground to shake.

Fox felt Dana let go of his hand, the lady moving away from him. Everyone jumped when they heard Fox's daddy shout out.

"Fox!!! GET OVER HERE!!!"

Feeling his body shaking, Fox had done something bad. He was always doing something bad.

(...no, I don't want to remember this...)

"Fox, come over here immediately!!!"

(... Please, I don't want to remember this...)

He was afraid to move towards his Daddy.

Maybe the lady would grab him and they would all run away.

"NOW!!"

(NO!!!)

Moving fast to his daddy's side, Fox felt his daddy's huge hands grabbing him, shaking him.

"Where have you been?! You worried your mother!!"

(... no...)

"I can't take you anywhere without you upsetting her..."

(NO!!!!)

He felt his daddy pulling him away from Dana and the nice lady. He cried, knowing the fear.

Fox Mulder snapped out of it. He stopped the memory. It wasn't what he wanted.

In his hands, Mulder held onto the pen Scully had given to him for his birthday a few years ago. Though he had received a new one from Skinner on his last birthday, Mulder still loved using the pen from Scully, despite how ugly it looked from him chewing and sucking on it.

His stomach suddenly turned. Mulder let go of the pen and made a mad dash to his trash can, throwing up his lunch.

Keeping his head there for a while, Mulder knew he would have to clean everything up before Scully came back. He didn't want her to know what he was doing.

Slowly he brought himself back up and rested against his chair.

When he looked up, Mulder saw his father towering over him.

"It's your fault..." Bill Mulder growled at him.

"No, it's not my fault..." Mulder pushed himself more into his chair.

"We trusted you with her... It's your fault!!!"

"NO!!! You did this to her!!! It's your fault!!!" Mulder felt strong. He had new information, a weapon against his father.

He knew none of this was his fault.

"Your fault... Look at your mother..."

Mulder suddenly saw his mother, just as she was the day after Samantha was gone, sitting in the corner, crying.

"You brought this pain..."

"NO!!! IT's YOUR FAULT!!! I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING!!! YOU MADE MOM CRY!!! IT's YOUR FAULT!!! ALL of THIS IS YOUR FAULT!!!"

Mulder was fighting the memory. He was going to win this time.

"It is your fault!! You knew this was going to happen... and you did nothing... your fault."

As quick as the words were said, a 12-year-old Fox Mulder found himself back at his parents' house. He and Samantha were hiding, listening to the argument in the living room.

"Fox, I'm afraid..." Samantha looked at her big brother, pleading with her eyes.

He was just as scared as she was. Fox knew he should take his sister and run away. Something was going to happen, some bad... something he couldn't stop.

Everything stopped. Mulder was alone in his office with the pen was back in his hand. The only thing he could hear was his own heavy breathing.

Grabbing the plastic bag around the trash can to throw away. Mulder didn't want to be alone anymore. He would take a walk around the building.

As long as there were people around him, Mulder knew the ghosts of the past would not harm him.

Tuesday, December 21st - Dana's Apartment: Evening

Fox adjusted his chair at the dinner table. He had managed not to think about his childhood today, leaving the photographs at home to avoid any painful memories.

Placing his plate in front of him, Dana had madehoney-mustard chicken with rice and streamed mixed vegetables for dinner.

Looking at the vegetables on his plate, Fox noticed that there was broccoli in the group. He hated broccoli and pushed it to the side.

"You better eat that..."

Fox looked up and saw his father across from him at the dinner table. He was back in Chilmark. His mother and sister were also there, sitting with their heads down. Neither of them wanted any part of what was soon to happen.

A 10-year-old Fox Mulder stared up at his father. He was tired of being force to eat things he didn't like.

"I'm not going to eat it. I don't like broccoli..."

"You are going to eat it. I work for everything you have. You will eat what my money pays for..."

"No, I don't like broccoli!!" Feeling brave, Fox tossed the hated vegetable off his place, landing right near his father.

Before Fox knew what had happened, his father was on top of him, pulling his head back by his hair. Forcing Fox to open his mouth, as his father shoved the broccoli in. Struggling to break free, Fox felt the broccoli being shoved deeper into his throat.

"BILL!!" He heard his mother coming to his defense," YOU'RE CHOKING HIM!!! BILL!!!"

Out of the corner of his watery eye, Fox could see Samantha clinging to her napkin, crying.

"Fox!!" He heard Dana's voice coming out of Samantha's mouth," Fox!!"

The moment Dana touched him Fox pulled away from the table knocking his chair over.

He wanted to hide. He didn't want Dana to see him like this. She kept following him, trying to hold on to him. Fox backed himself into a corner with no place to hide himself.

"Fox, what's wrong?" The look of concern from Dana broke his heart. How could he do this to her?

Finally, he couldn't hold it any more and let the tears pour out of him as Dana brought her arms around him hugging him tight. He hugged her back, afraid of what he was thinking.

Fox was sure that he was coming close to losing his mind.

That night, instead of Fox holding tight to Dana, she had her arm wrapped around him. He felt as if she was guarding him from whatever terror had affected him.

Fox couldn't sleep. He was afraid to. He couldn't seem to control any of his memories.

He just didn't trust himself.

Feeling for Dana's thumb, Fox was tempted to stick in his mouth, but chastised himself.

'Gotta stop acting like a baby...'

Resting his head near Dana's, her hair brushed near the side of his chin. Taking in the aroma of the shampoo she used, the sweet smell of its fragrance brought such comfort to him. Fox brought his face closer to it, breathing it in.

In a short time, Fox Mulder was asleep with no memories to haunt him that night.

Wednesday, December 22nd: Dana's Apartment- 7:06 P.M.

Fox took Dana into his arms, kissing her passionately.

The feeling of ardor as they shared one of the chairs at the dinner table. Fox was still inside of Dana as he was kissing her.

He slipped his hands into her sweat pants, feeling her ass and reaching in further. She encouraged him, and repositioning herself, making herself available to his hands.

The Christmas tree caught his eye. Fox suddenly remembered that Dana's presents were at his apartment. He knew he wouldn't have time to pick them up tomorrow.

Before the night was over, he would go back to his place for them.

Bringing Dana closer to him, Fox decided to do it later.

Right now he didn't feel like getting up.

Fox's Apartment- 10:13 P.M.

Flipping through his mail as he walked into his apartment, Fox carefully separated the bills from the junk mail.

Turning on his computer, Fox decided to check his e-mail while he was here.

Walking to his bedroom, as the computer warmed itself up, Fox walked into the closet where he was suddenly four years old again.

Hiding in the closet from Mommy and Daddy, Fox wanted to suck his thumb.

He had a bad day.

Mommy yelled him to be quiet and she spanked him for not being a good boy. It was that dumb baby's fault that he couldn't make any noise.

Forgetting all the bad things that were done to him, Fox sucked peacefully on his thumb.

Not afraid of the darkness like his cousin Mandy was, Fox felt safe in the closet with no lights on.

No one could hurt him here or put the hot taste on his thumbs.

Fox hated the hot taste. It made his mouth burn.

One time, the hot taste got in his eyes causing his eyes to burn. Fox couldn't see anything and he screamed for his mommy.

She washed his eyes with water to make the hot taste go away.

Fox cried.

Mommy cried.

She never put the hot taste on his thumbs again.

Daddy still did.

Daddy was mean.

Fox didn't like Daddy and wished he would go away.

Suddenly the closet door opened, and there stood his daddy shouting at him.

"Fox!!! GET OUT of THERE!!!"

Frightened, Fox tried to run deeper into the closet, but his daddy's hands were on him, pulling him out. Fox screamed, trying to break free of his daddy's hands.

Grabbing hold of one of Dana's presents, Fox Mulder was once again a man.

He quickly turned around to see that he was still in his apartment alone.

Gathering up Dana's gifts, Fox left his apartment and forgot all about his computer.

Thursday, December 23rd: Mulder's Office 11:29 A.M.

Stretching his arms up, Fox Mulder turned to his beloved.

"Are you hungry, Scully?"

Not turning away from the computer screen, Dana Scully answered him," Not yet... why?"

"Oh, I feel like stretching my legs... thought I would go and get us lunch. How does Chinese, sound?"

"I don't know, Mulder... I don't speak the language..." Scully turned to him smiling.

"Ha! Ha!" He mocked her. Once in awhile Scully could zing them.

"Chinese food will be fine. You know what I like..."

"Yeah, but I thought you didn't want me to wrap it..." Mulder stood up gesturing to his private area.

Scully just gave Mulder the look as he walked out with his trench coat in his hand.

The cold air hit his face as soon as he walked out the FBI building. Now Mulder was sorry that he'd offered to do this. Fortunately, he didn't have far to walk.

As Mulder neared the Chinese restaurant, the sound of yelling caught his attention. Walking toward his direction, a man was yelling at a little boy. The poor kid must have been no more than four years old.

He had seen the same scared look on his own face from the photographs of his father dragging him like the father and son before him.

Deciding to get involved, Mulder was tired of kids having to suffer like he did, it was time to punish at least one asshole that didn't deserve.

No longer did the man and his child stand before him, the winter streets of Washington, D.C. were gone.

Fox felt the hot sun against his skin as tears poured out of him. His daddy was dragging him away from the nice lady and the little baby named Dana.

Fox knew he shouldn't cry. He knew his daddy would spank him if he didn't stop crying, but he wanted his mommy. He cried.

"Stop crying!!" Daddy shouted at him.

He couldn't. He wanted to go back to the nice lady. He cried.

"Stop crying or I'll give you a reason to cry!!" Daddy's voice grew louder and meaner.

Dana.

He wanted Dana. He missed Dana. Dana liked him. Dana kissed him. He wanted Dana!!

His crying was deafening, as he uttered out his pain.

Suddenly, Fox felt his body turning around with such force that the first spanking caught him off guard, then the second and third spanking brought him to his knees. He had no strength in his legs as his daddy let him fall.

Why was he so mean to.

Mulder looked at the young man. It was cold. It wasn't July. He was a grown man.

With the young man's help, Mulder stood up.

Dazed and unsure of what to do, Mulder realized he had something in his hand.

A small piece of paper with Dana's writing on it. A love note from her. When did she put it in his pocket?

"Hey, mister, are you OK?" The young man asked him once more.

Mulder looked at him again. It was not often when a stranger was willing to help another," Thanks..."

Deciding to go back to the FBI building, Mulder didn't feel safe out here. He didn't want to be away from Dan.

Not losing his footing, Mulder backed away stopping himself from falling.

"Fuckhead!!" Mulder said to the asshole that was too far away to hear him.

Mulder looked at his hand that held the note from Dana. It was gone, knocked out of his grip during the collision.

Damn it!!! He wanted to read the note from.

Why was his daddy so mean to him?! Why?!!

Fox tried to push the tears back. He wanted to stop crying. He didn't want to get spanked again.

It was then he felt it.

The soft touch, he felt on his cheeks.

The softness circled his neck, hugging him, sweet.

He brought his hands down to let the softness tighten around him.

He felt the soft skin against his left cheek as he listened to the soft chattering against his ear.

A very wet kiss on his forehead.

He felt his tears stopping, clearing enough for him to see Dana.

A look of love on her face as she spoke a few baby words to him.

She then crawled onto his lap, hugging him.

He hugged her back.

Dana was so soft just like the teddy bear he once had until Daddy took it away from him.

Fox could hug Dana for.

He knew what was going to happen!

Daddy was going to take Dana away from him, like he took everything else!!

Dana.

Oh, God!! He took Dana away from him!!

Fox felt the July sun coming back.

He was going to fight it.

He had to fight it.

Reaching into his pockets, Fox pulled out his set of keys. Dana's keys were there with his own set to his apartment.

Dana.

He couldn't remember where Dana was!

He wanted to go home, Dana's home, now his home. He knew would be safe there.

Somewhere along the line, Fox lost his cell phone but he would have not noticed nor cared as he flagged down a taxi to take him home.

Dana's Apartment

Fox's hands were shaking as he opened the door to Dana's apartment. His whole body was sweating as he peeled off his trench coat, jacket and gloves. The gun at his side was forgotten as well as the one he kept hidden under his pants' leg.

Fox looked around the apartment for Dana.

"Dana!!!" He tossed everything including the keys onto the floor.

"Dana!!!" Fox moved around the apartment.

He started to panic. She wasn't here! Where was she?! Where the hell was she?!

He looked into the bedroom, but it was empty.

Fox turned to his back, shaking at the sight before him. There, near him at the bedroom doorway was Bill Mulder towering over him.

"IT's YOUR FAULT THAT's SHE's GONE!!!" He pointed the accusing finger at Fox.

"NO!! THIS IS YOUR FAULT!!! YOU MADE HER GO AWAY!!! IT's NOT MY FAULT!!! IT's NOT MY FAULT!!!"

"Look at what you did to your mother..." Fox stared at the direction his father was pointing at. On Dana's bed his mother sat, crying.

Fox felt the overwhelming pain of guilt.

"It's not my fault... Momma, it's not my fault..."

He went to her on his knees, trying to hug her, but she pushed him away, the look of disgust all over her face.

"... it's not my fault..." Fox cried to her.

"YOUR FAULT!!" Bill Mulder grabbed Fox by the collar of his shirt pulling him up and throwing him to the floor. Fox didn't have time to react when his father kicked him hard to the side.

"IT's NOT MY FAULT!!!" Fox screamed again as his father kicked him once more on the side.

"Your father chose hope over selfishness..." The Englishman appeared above him.

"... what...?" Fox felt another kick this time to his thigh.

"Hope to the only future he had: his children..." The Englishman continued as Fox received another kick to the side.

The Cigarette Smoking Man appeared beside the Englishman, as he puffed on his cigarette.

"It's what your father realized. It's just what you'll realize as your father's son..."

"YOU LIARS!!!" Fox felt his head spin when his father kicked him in the face.

Turning his body away from Bill Mulder, Fox started to crawl toward the closet. If he could get to the darkest, he would be safe.

"Trust no one..." Fox heard an old voice. It was Deep Throat but he didn't care as felt another kick from his father.

Fox finally reached the closet door pulling it open even as he felt another kick.

Too many voices demanded his attention, too many stories being told. How could he trust any of them?

Trust no one.

Once it was there, everything stopped.

Clasping onto the floor, with Dana's robe still in his possession, Fox brought it close to his face.

Dana's robe.

The one she always hung behind the closet door.

The one she used every night.

Her scent all over it filled Fox with such comfort.

His Dana.

The only one he ever trusted.

Without being here, she had saved him. No bad memories would attack him so long as Dana or any part of her was his shield.

Fox was safe.

He curled his body into a ball crying as he kept Dana's robe tight to his face.

He did not move until he heard the telephone ring.

Slowly moving to the phone in her bedroom, Fox could hear the answering machine in the living room when Dana's voice came on loud and clear.

"Fox! It's me... are you there? Please pick up..."

Reaching for the phone on his knees, Fox had trouble gripping the receiver but managed to handle it with some banging against the phone's body.

"... Dana...?" His voice sounded so weak and childish.

"Fox?! What's wrong?! Please talk to me, Fox?!!" The panic in her voice, brought shame to him.

"Please come home, Dana... I'm scared... I'm so scared..." He spoke the truth to her, no matter how ashamed he felt. He was scared and wanted her home.

"All right, sweetheart... I'm coming right now..." She hung up quickly.

Fox tried to put the receiver back on the phone's body but his hands were shaking too much. He only managed to place it back on the night table.

He wanted to go to the living room.

He wanted to be there the moment Dana opened the door.

No strength in his legs, Fox Mulder began to crawl to the living room, dragging his protection with him. Dana's white robe was getting dirty.

When he reached the living room, Fox pulled himself onto the couch, letting his body crash against the cushions.

He let out a sigh of relief. He would wait for Dana here.

With one hand holding the robe, Fox's other hand slid down the side of the couch. The back of his hand touched the floor, sliding part way under the couch. He felt something. Carefully gripping what was under the couch, Fox pulled out the photographs of him and his father.

He had forgotten he hid them there yesterday from Dana.

When he came back from his apartment, last night, Fox sat on the couch staring at the hideous photographs for the thousandth time. As soon as he heard Dana's voice from the bedroom, he slipped the photographs under the couch. Dana had already yelled at him about the photographs and threatened to destroy them.

"Stop tormenting yourself!! Why are you doing this?!! I want you to get rid of them!! If you don't, I will!!"

Fox really didn't have an excuse for her, making up some reason that this was his past and how he should not forget it. After all, wasn't that what she had said to him about Diana?

Carefully taking the photographs out, Fox turned his body slowly and pulled himself into a sitting position.

With Dana's robe still in his hand, he separated some of the photographs in front of him. There were fourteen altogether. Fourteen images of the abuse that Fox took that day and every day until the day he fought back.

Or at least he tried.

Watching his father drink himself into a stupor, Fox sat and listened to his father lecture again on what a fag he was for not saving his sister, hurting his mother and ruining the whole family for being weak.

"... Your fault... all of this is your fault..." His father told him again, as he struggled to pour himself another drink," ... All your fuckin' fault... you worthless piece of shit..."

Whatever caused Fox to take action, he did not stop himself. Grabbing the bottle of Scotch from his father's hand, Fox hurled it against the wall smashing it, as glass flew all over the place.

"FUCK YOU!!! IF IT WAS ANYONE's FAULT, IT WAS YOURS AND MOM's!!! YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE LEFT US ALONE THAT NIGHT!!!"

Bill Mulder struggled to move on his feet, trying to take a swing at Fox. His father's condition was now to his advantage. Moving his head to the side as his father's fist passed Fox without touching him.

Almost losing control of his footing, Bill Mulder managed to stop himself from falling. He turned slowly to face Fox, his body unstable from his drunken state. Yet, the man was determined to stand straight, eyeing his son.

Fox suddenly realized how much taller he was than his father. For once, his father had to look up at him. No longer towering over him, Fox felt a new surge of power.

He could hurt this man. Just like he had hurt him for so long. He could now have his revenge.

"Go ahead, boy, do it. See if you can take me out..." His father must have read his mind.

Fox wanted to. How easy it would be to hit this man. As angry as he was, there was still a part of Fox who reasoned with him.

(You do it... you'll be no better than him...)

.... I want to hit him!! Kill him!! Kill him for Sam!!!

(... Then you will truly be his son...)

Fox backed away, his hands still in a fist. He couldn't do it. No matter how much he wanted to, Fox would not cross that line.

His father smiled at him, taking in his victory.

"No balls, boy. You got no balls..."

Bill Mulder struggle passed Fox as he walked to the liquor cabinet.

By the time, Bill Mulder poured himself another drink, Fox had grabbed his gym bag from his room that he never unpacked and ran out of the house.

He kept running not caring who saw him or what they thought of him. Fox had to keep moving.

When he finally stopped, Fox rested against the first tree he could find. He brought his legs up to his chest.

He cried.

He cried because he was a loser... a wimp.

Nobody loved him.

He was alone in the world.

Dana..? Was it Dana he heard?

Fox lifted his head to the direction of her voice.

Dana.

She had come home to him.

Fox raised his arms to her, wanting to know if she was real. When he felt her body pressed against his, Fox felt a great sense of relief.

Dana was home.

He wasn't alone anymore.

She loved him.

He loved her.

Dana.

He held nothing back.

"Make it stop.. I can't make it stop!!! I wasn't a bad boy!!! I wasn't!!"

He needed to hear it from her. Assurance of what he felt.

"No, Fox... no. You never were a bad boy. It's not true..."

Oh, God, she said it. It's not true!! It's not true!!

"I'm not a bad boy!! I'm not a bad boy!! I didn't make Mommy cry. It's not my fault!! Please tell me it's not my fault!!"

"No, baby, it's not your fault. It never was..."

Oh, God, she said it again. It's not his fault. Dana would never lie to him.

"Why couldn't I go with Sam? Why didn't he want to save me?! Why didn't he..."

He cried. There was no reason to ask that question. No one seemed to want to give him the right answer. Fox felt Dana's arms tighten around him as he pushed his face deeper into her chest.

He did not notice Dana throwing the photographs away from them. He wouldn't have care.

Fox just wanted to go back to the darkest. Darkest was safe, the darkest inside of Dana. If he could go there for awhile... would she mind?

Pulling himself away from her, Fox found the strength to lift his body off the couch. With Dana in front of him, he sat before her and separated her legs. He brought his body closer to her. With his head resting on her chest, Fox slid his legs back into the position he was on the couch. Making sure he had a connection with Dana, Fox gripped tight to her blouse with one hand as his other hand held onto her bathrobe.

He felt Dana brushing his hair, humming to him. Sleep came to Fox Mulder, knowing he was safe from the memories.

Late Afternoon

Fox Mulder woke up.

Feeling his body stiff from the position he was in, Fox felt the weight on his head. He looked up to see Dana resting her own head on his.

'A poor thing... 'Fox thought. She never left him.

Just then, Dana opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was Fox staring at her.

"Hey..." He greeted her with a smile.

"Hey, yourself..." She smiled at him.

Lifting her body up, Dana giving a good stretch to her arms and back.

She brought her hands back to Fox, brushing his hair. He looked at her with such peaceful eyes. Sleep did him good.

"How are you feeling, Fox?" The concern was on her face as well as in her voice.

"Better... thank you, Dana. I would have gone insane without you..."

"Don't say that, Fox..."

"It's true, Dana. I'm sorry for putting you through this. I... I couldn't stop it... Not without you..."

He stretched his legs forward, feeling the stiffness in them.

"I just wanted to remember..."

"What? What did you want to remember?"

"When you and I first met as kids... I wanted to remember it so badly. I didn't think this would happen... all the bad memories. I didn't mean to bring them back..."

"They don't always go away, you know that, Fox. Learning to live with them is the hardest challenge..."

"I should know that. I did major in psychology that's what my degree says..." Fox tried to joke.

Dana rubbed his cheeks as tears were threatening from her.

"It's the photographs, isn't it. You just won't stop looking at them..."

Fox brought his eyes down.

"No, I didn't ... I don't know why... why I have to make myself suffer..." Fox stopped, the need to punish himself was as frustrating to him as well as to Dana.

Dana lightly pushed Fox out of her way.

He watched her gather up the photos from the floor. He didn't know how they got there. Fox remembered looking at them when he... Never mind.

After picking each one up, Dana moved to her bedroom. In one of the dresser drawers, she pulled out six photographs. In each of the photographs were herself, Fox, Bill Mulder and her parents. Letting out a sigh, Dana knew these had to go as well. She only kept them because her parents were there, her father looking so young.

Dana walked back to the living room, handing all the photographs to Fox," Here, get rid of them, destroy them. Give him exactly what he deserves..."

Still sitting on the floor, Fox took the photographs from Dana. He only looked at the first one. It was a group shot of them with their parents.

It should have came out differently, but that was a wish of a child.

Fox looked up at Dana, when he realized the wish did come true. It took a couple of years, but it did. It came true.

Fox didn't need to look at the pain anymore. He felt a great sense of freedom when he ripped up the first few photographs.

He cursed his father's name as he tossed the torn photos to the ground. Standing up, Fox stomped on them, releasing his anger.

He hated his father!!

Hated both his parents!!

Hated them for what they did to him!!

For the things they put him through!!

Never again!!! Never will he suffer by their hands!!

Fox screamed at the top of his lungs. It felt great to let it out!!

Suddenly, Dana joined him. Her feet hitting the torn photographs with such force that the floor shook. She screamed and cursed Bill Mulder's name. She let her own hatred go for anyone whoever harmed her Fox.

Dana stopped then rushed to Fox's arms.

"Oh, Fox, I'm so sorry!! I'll never hit you again!! I'm sorry I beat you!! I'm sorry I slapped your face!! I'll never call you a bad boy again!!!"

Remembering how she had beaten Fox up in the motel room in Texas when she allowed her anger to get the best of her and when she slapped him in the face after he told her of his marriage to Diana Fowley.

Playfully spanking and calling him a 'bad boy' a few times, Dana never meant any harm when she did those things. If her actions caused him any pain, Dana would never do it again.

"Well, actually, I like it when you call me a 'bad boy'..." Fox confessed.

Dana pulled away, for some reason that surprised her.

"... You can't say I didn't deserve those spanking either..." Fox gave her a devilish smile.

Dana's eyes grew large with shock.

Good Lord, he liked being punished!!

Why did that surprise her?

Dana smiled at him," Oh, Fox, you're such a bad boy..."

That night, Fox's mood was uplifting. He was excited about spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with Mother Scully. He playfully nagged Dana to no end about it.

Fox took all the presents from the Christmas tree and placed them near the front door so they wouldn't forget them. Then he suddenly decided that the tree looked too empty without them and placed every single present back under it.

When they were in bed, Fox kept talking until he noticed that Dana had fallen asleep.

Sleep didn't come easy for Fox that night. No matter how he tried, he could not stop thinking about his father and Samantha.

From the things he had been told, the decisions that were made, Fox still could not understand the abuse he had to suffer from the actions the men of the Consortium took.

If all these things were done not out of selfishness by his father, and the sacrifice he had made, why then was Fox made the scapegoat?

Why were they left alone that night of the abduction?

Did they really know which child was to be taken?

Was he the original choice?

If so, what caused the sudden change from him to his sister?

Is this why he was punished?

Not from the weakness of him preventing his sister's abduction, but by the fact it was he who should have been taken?

The favorite child was gone.

The one, who wasn't wanted, was left behind.

Yet, if this was all done out of survival, done out of love, what caused the downfall of his parents' marriage?

What was the truth behind the break up?

Did it have something to do with him?

The oldest child... the unwanted child... maybe not his child.

What was it, the Cigarette Smoking Man told him..?

"... You can't think these choices were made lightly... They were the most painful decisions of our lives..."

The Cancer Man's own sacrifice of his wife to the aliens.

A sacrifice of someone, he might not have loved..?

Was it meant to spare what was truly in the dark man's heart..?

A secret kept from Bill Mulder until the night of the abduction.

When he came home not to his daughter but to another man's son.

If it was true, he would rather it be denied.

Still, there were other questions that plagued him.

Why was Cassandra Spender allowed to return after the first abduction?

Were the others returned to their loved ones as well?

If so, why was Samantha not return to them?

Is it possible the woman he met in the diner really was his sister, a victim, like Cassandra Spender who was abducted for years and experimented on?

The proof of his sister's cloning was there in the fields he was taken to a few years ago... now gone, destroyed.

What about the abductees like Max Fenig? Was he related to any of the men in the group?

How many reported cases of abductees were connected to these men not by the experiments done on them but by the family tree they came from?

No, too many people over the years had reported being abducted by aliens that had no relations with each other, strangers among many.

Dana herself, was a victim only because of the work she did.

Him... it was always him.

It was his fault Dana was taken and harmed by these madmen.

His fault for Dana's cancer.

Everything that was done to her was his fault.

Fox looked around the room, expecting a ghost from the past to agree with him. Nothing came, except for his tears.

He didn't mean to wake Dana up. She was there to hold him until he fell asleep.

The next day, when they had arrived at Mother Scully's house, the Christmas tree brought back a lot of pleasant memories for Fox.

He remembered how he and Samantha would help their mother decorate the tree. Never once did Fox break any of the glass ornaments. He did not live up to the image of being a clumsy kid.

Fox could remember his father being happy and helping out with the decorating. The hug his father gave him for being a big help in putting up the Christmas lights came back so sudden to Fox, it was as if it happened yesterday.

He didn't mean to cry in front of Mom and Dana. Fox just couldn't believe he had found some happy memories. He knew he had them, they just never seem to want to come out.

"... Fox?!" Dana called out from the bedroom.

Pulling himself together, Fox headed off to his beloved.

"Yeah, Dana?" He first peeked in.

Awakened from the same nightmare she had for days, Dana would search for a crying baby she would never find.

"Fox, I'm scared, please come and lie down with me..." The look of worry was all over her face.

It was a request she didn't need to repeat.

Fox slipped into the bed taking Dana into his arms. She pulled herself closer to him grabbing hold of his T-shirt. She tried to fight the tears but they came no matter what.

Fox pulled her closer to him, rocking her back to sleep.

Disclaimer: The characters of the X-Files do not belong to me. They are the property of Chris Carter, 1013 Productions and Fox Broadcasting. No copyright infringement is intended.

Summary: The events in February bring an end to some and new beginnings to others.

A Shopping Mall

Dana Scully sat and watched the young mother with her infant daughter.

It wasn't fair.

The girl was too young to be a mother. How could she possibly care for the child when she herself was no more than one?

"Dana..." Her mother, Maggie Scully called as she handed her a soft drink.

"Thanks, Mom..." Dana's eyes returned to the mother and child.

Had it not been for her loss, Dana would be holding her own baby this fall, waiting to celebrate the child's first holidays with her and Fox.

It WASN'T fair!!

"Dana..." Her mother called to get her attention," Honey, do you know what you want to get Fox for Valentine's Day?"

(A son...)

"I was thinking about getting him a gold chain for his wrist... but I don't know yet..." Dana said.

(That baby should have been mine...)

"I think he would like that... I know just the place we could go to..." Maggie added.

(It's not fair...)

"Dana...?"

(I want my baby...)

"Dana..."

(God, wasn't Emily enough? Why did you have to take my baby, too?! Why do you have to be so cruel..? )

"Dana!!!"

Dana turned to her mother, her eyes baring the tears that were threatening to come down.

"Dana, stop it! Stop tormenting yourself! You will have another baby. God has shown you. Be patient, sweetheart, it will happen again..." Maggie took Dana's hand.

The tears that were threatening now came down. Dana wished she could believe her mother. Right now it was hard idea to accept.

Dana looked at the young mother again.

"Mom, can we leave? I don't like the view here..."

Another Shopping Mall

Fox Mulder stood in front the display case in the jewelry shop.

He originally came in to look for earrings to give to Dana for Valentine's Day.

The wedding rings had his full attention.

"Can I help you, sir?" The store clerk asked.

"Yeah... I like to see what you have in engagement rings...?"

Somewhere In The World.

"Tell you what, my dear?" He lit his cigarette as turned his attention back to her.

"About Fox Mulder and Dana Scully... You knew about this... you could have stopped it!! You told me there was nothing between them!!"

"I was wrong... but they are not your concern, Diana... There are other tasks that need your attention..."

"You let me come back into his life... just to take it away... You knew he had feelings for that... woman!!! You led me into a lie!!!"

"I did no such thing... You allowed yourself to believe this... You gave yourself hope that he would want you back... I don't believe he planned on making the same mistake twice..."

"You son of bitch..."

"Diana... please? Mulder and Scully are not your priority... Now about your report..."

A Crime Scene.

She turned her head to the sound of wheels moving. The removal of bodies was nearly completed.

Three dead, ripped to shred. Within the last two weeks, four other bodies had been found in the same condition. The attacks were being blamed on wild animals, Mulder believed otherwise.

Scully sighed. Soon she would be readily herself for the autopsies she would be performing on the victims.

Right now her mind was somewhere else.

Studying the crowd of spectators, Scully noticed a young woman holding an infant. At times, it was still hard to accept her loss as she turned away.

How close she came to having her own baby, not a product of any government curiosity, but her own child. Created as nature intended between a man and a woman.

There were days Dana would be overwhelmed by depression as her body healed from the fall she had taken that caused her miscarriage.

Yet, her heart hurt the most. Only the loss of Emily could compare to the tragedy that burned in her, as motherhood was again taken from her.

Fox was doing his best to help her.

He was an amazing man, her Fox. After what had happened to him before Christmas when he came close to a breakdown, he bounced back and moved on.

Maybe that was how he had survived all these years. Face the demons and move on, until the next battle occurred.

The sound of a baby crying brought Scully out of her thoughts. She turned back toward the lady with the infant, but the cries came from the side of the house where the shrub grew thick. Walking toward the sound, Scully bent down and moved the branches away to find a kitten shivering from the cold.

Silently hissing at Scully, the small kitten arched its back putting up a defense against the giant that was before it.

"You poor thing..." Scully carefully reached with her hand to stroke the tiny thing on its head.

The kitten still hissed at her, but responded to the warmth of Scully's hand and kind words.

Trying not to frighten the kitten, Scully lifted and brought it close to her chest.

Still cautious, the kitten pressed its cold body taken in the warmth it felt from Dana Scully's body.

Examining the kitten, Scully noticed its size and coloring.

The poor thing must have been no more than five weeks old and bared the features of a Siamese cat, though Scully doubt the kitten to be a purebred.

Stroking the kitten brought back a fond memory to Scully of the only cat her family ever owned.

Loved by everyone in the family, Mr. Tibs was named by Melissa.

Having owned the cat as long as Dana could remember, Mr. Tibs was a friendly cat who had several places he would call home around the navel base. Yet, at night, he would return to the Scully residence and the warmth of Melissa's arms.

When the family was to move again, Mr. Tibs was too old to make the trip, forcing them to leave the cat behind with another family.

Dana and her siblings were devastated by the loss. Her father vowed never to let them own another pet. It was better that way, he felt.

"What did you find, Scully?" Mulder called her from the back.

She turned to him as the kitten let out another silent hiss, this time at Mulder.

"Hey, where did you find this guy?" Mulder reached out to pet the kitten. It hissed again but allowed Mulder's hand to stroke its head.

"In the bushes, I heard it crying. I thought it was a baby..." Scully looked at him, expecting him to say something but instead, he smiled at her.

"Can I hold it? I love cats," He gestured to her.

Scully handed the kitten over to him. She was surprised that Mulder loved cats but then, he never mentioned any likes or dislikes for the feline kind.

As he petted and talked softly to the kitten, it too brought back fond memories to Mulder of all the cats he had known as a kid.

Not allowed to have any pets when he was growing up, Fox's mother felt that a person's home were not meant for animals and no matter how much he and his sister would plead with her, their mother would not bend.

Fox did find a way around his stubborn mother's rule.

A friend from school named Jerry King was really lucky. Having owned two cats and a dog, Fox would spend his free time hanging with Jerry to be near his pets.

Though Fox was a bit afraid of dogs, he would not pass up the chance to pet and play with Jerry's Labrador retriever named Blackie.

When they were inside Jerry's house watching television, Fox always made sure he sat near one of the cats that were named Prince and Princess. Reaching over to stroke one of the friendly felines, Fox would love to hear the cats purr and was amazed at the noise that the cats would make with their mouths closed.

The lady that lived near his parents' home, Mrs. Bateman, owned five cats, and Fox had been in love with them.

On his way home from school, no matter what mood he was in, Fox would stop by to visit Mrs. Bateman and her cats. It was only for a few minutes, but it was enough time for Fox to pet each of the felines.

His favorite was an orange tabby named Jake.

Fox loved how the old cat would pet him back by stroking its own head against his. Mrs. Bateman told him that this was Jake's way of telling the other cats that Fox belonged to him.

When Samantha was older, Fox would bring her with him to visit Mrs. Bateman and her family of cats.

A few times Mrs. Bateman would allow Fox and his sister to feed the cats. It was entertaining to Mrs. Bateman as both Fox and Samantha struggled to feed the overzealous felines with all the patience that they had.

When the other cats paid attention to Samantha, Jake would climb onto Fox's lap, purring himself to sleep as Fox stroked his head gently.

One day, when they were coming home from school, Fox and Samantha made their daily visit to Mrs. Bateman. Four of the cats came up to them but there was no sign of Jake.

"Jake!!" Fox, who was eleven at the time, called out for him.

Mrs. Bateman came out of the house.

"Hi, Mrs. Bateman... where's Jake?"

It was then that Fox noticed the sadness in Mrs. Bateman's face.

"I'm sorry, Fox... Jake... died last night..."

The sudden rush of tears as Fox stood sobbing for the old cat. Mrs. Bateman's arms embraced him. Her own grief joined in with Fox's as she cried with him.

Feeling his sister's arms around him, Samantha too was crying. She had some idea what dead was, Jake was not coming back.

At home that night, Samantha cried in her father's arms when she told him about Jake dying. Bill Mulder hugged and stroked his daughter's back as she let the tears come down. Fox sat there, silent. He knew better than to show his own feelings in front of his father.

After listening to the information the officer presented to them, Scully was to drive back with one of the officers to start the autopsies where Mulder would join her later.

Scully started to walk away, when she suddenly turned back.

"Mulder, the kitten..."

The little thing had fallen asleep in Mulder's arm," Don't worry, Scully. The kitten will be all right..."

Nodding her head, Scully walked off to join the officer who was to escort her to the coroner's office.

Ending his discussion with the officer in charge, Mulder looked at the kitten. A frown appeared on his face, showing his concern for the young animal's health.

"Excuse me, Officer... is there a local veterinarian around here...?"

Monday, February 14: Early Morning

Fox Mulder was trying hard not to open his eyes.

"Spookieee..." Dana Scully whispered to him into his ear," Spookieee..."

Fox turned his head away. It was hard not to smile.

"Spookieee..." Dana blew into his ear, tickling him.

"Don't call me that..." He still had his eyes closed and his smile stayed.

"OK... Pookie..."

This time, his eyes opened wide," Pookie?!! You're not calling me that!!"

"Why not? Pookieee..." She gave him a quick peck on the lips.

"Fine, Mrs. Pookie... Is that what you want everyone to call you now?"

"Actually... I would like to be called ' Mrs. Mulder'..."

"Really?" Fox lifted his head to her," You wanna be called ' Mrs. Mulder'?"

"Yes, I would..."

"You wanna marry me?"

"No, I want to marry Tom Mulder... Of course, I want to marry you, but you haven't asked..."

Fox smiled at her. The woman was a mind reader. Lifting himself off the bed, Fox walked out of the bedroom.

Dana rolled over and lay on top of the pillows," Don't tell me I scared you off?" She laughed.

Holding a tiny box, Fox returned to the bedroom and got on his knees in front of Dana.

"You beat me to the punch, Dana..." He opened the tiny box and pulled out a gold diamond ring. The diamond sparkled from the light of the morning sun.

Dana's eyes widened, she was just kidding. Oh, God, the ring was beautiful!

Fox grinned at Dana. His face with his morning stubble, his old pair of sweat pants and the morning smell all over him, not the ideal setting he had in mind.

There were so many things he wanted to tell her. The moon, the stars and the heavens above could never compare to Dana.

His love, and his life.

"Dana, marry me?"

Dana smiled. Looking up to the ceiling, a playful grin was on her face. She was so cruel to make him wait.

"You bet I will..."

Dana's Apartment

The kitten explored her new surroundings.

Watching the young animal from the corner of her eye, Dana's apartment was not kitten proof, yet. The little thing could get itself into trouble.

Even though the kitten still had a ragged look to her from the condition the poor little thing lived in, Dana could tell she was going to be a beautiful cat. Thanks to her Siamese bloodline, the kitten could pass for a purebred, save for her hazel eyes.

Coming up with a name for the kitten was easier than she had expected. Dana named her, Sara. It was an elegant name for such a princess the kitten would grow up to be.

Fox had decided to call her,'The Rat'.

"What a horrible name!! You are not calling my kitten that!!" Dana yelled him.

"It's not bad... I'm not being mean. It's just she looks like a 'Rat', that's all..." Fox reasoned.

The kitten's unhealthy look, the skinny body, the long thin tail, the brownish color on her face, feet and tail had reminded Fox of a rat.

"Hey, Rat!!" Fox called out to the kitten that was exploring the bookshelves in the living room. Sara jumped and hissed at Fox before running under the couch.

"Good going, Fox, now she's never come out..." Dana scolded him.

"Don't worry... I'll get her... Raaaat..." Fox called to the kitten.

"Sara..." Dana corrected him.

It took some time and a shoestring to convince Sara (or the Rat) to come out and play.

Wednesday, February 23rd: 6:00 A.M.

He stared down at his beloved sleeping.

Today was her birthday.

Pay back was a bitch.

He brought his body close to her. Bringing his mouth near her ear, his wet tongue circled all over it, in and around. She shivered, but did not wake up. Lifting her earlobe with his tongue, he brought it to his mouth, sucking hard on it. She smacked him on his face.

Without being discouraged, he moved back to her ear.

"Danaaaa..." He slipped his hand under the covers, rubbing on her ass, and caused a warm spot.

She smacked him again, but this time she was smiling.

"Danaaa... Happy Birthday to..."

Singing softly into her ear, his voice reminded her of angels scratching a chalk broad. With each line, his voice became higher and louder. He stood on his knees swinging his arms like an opera singer. She tried to hush him but it only caused him to raise his voice even more.

When at last, he threw his arms up into the air bellowing the final line," TOOOOO YOUUUUUU!!!"

Collapsing on top of her, he pinned her down on her stomach and ripped the blankets off exposing her to the chill of the morning. His hand again rubbed her sweet ass.

"Fox Mulder, don't you dare!!!" Dana screamed at him.

Truth was, he couldn't do it. Never in his life, did he ever raise his hand to a woman unless it was out of self-defense.

Fox could never hit Dana.

Bringing his body down to her buttocks, Fox pulled her pajamas bottoms and underwear partly down even with her protesting.

"One..." He kissed her pearly white butt cheek.

"Don't open your eyes, Dana..." Fox warned her as she carried her into the living room.

With her eyes closed and one hand over them, Dana held tight him," Fox, we are going to be late for work..." She informed him, wondering what he was up to.

"No, we're not, I asked for the day off for both of us..."

"You did what?!!" Dana removed her hand from her eyes that were still closed.

"Don't open your eyes, Dana!!" Fox warned her, again.

Placing her down, Fox guided her by the shoulders as he had her stand right where he wanted her to.

"Yeah, I told Skinner that you and I both needed some time off, and he agreed. So shut up and enjoy it," He leaned over her shoulder to whisper in her ear," Open your eyes, my love..."

Dana opened her large blue eyes to the most colorful sight in front of her," Oh, my gosh!!"

Fox had decorated the whole kitchen with balloons of many different colors. Filled with helium, each balloon touched the ceiling with colorful string attached to them. Sara the kitten was already attacking the strings when they walked in.

"RAT!! Get the hell away from there!!" Fox shooed the kitten as Dana walked in the area with all the balloons.

She could not believe he had done this... and without waking her up! It must have taken him all night to blow up all these balloons.

The table was beautifully decorated with birthday plates, napkins, cups and table cover. A huge box sat next to a small pink cake Dana recognized as the same kind that was given to her at the Headless Woman Pub when Fox surprised her on her birthday three years ago. The candle sat in the middle waiting to be lit.

It amazed her, how much work he put into it.

Fox was someone who rarely remembered a birthday. The surprise at the Headless Woman Pub was the biggest thing he had done for her, until now.

The smile never left her as she heard Fox explain," I'm sorry I didn't make you breakfast. My luck, I would blow up the kitchen..." He tugged on one of the balloon's string," We'll go out to any place you want..."

Dana answered him with a hug and a kiss.

"Oh, Fox, you are so sweet... I can't believe you did all of this..."

"You deserve more..." He guided her to sit down in front of the small cake and present," I already sang you 'Happy Birthday', Dana, I don't think I'll do it again..." he said as he lit the candle.

"You better!!" She scolded him, as she lightly pinched his shoulder.

"OK, how about this... 'Put another candle on your..." Fox sang again with his rusty voice struggling to remember how the song went. He ended making up a few lines causing Dana to laugh.

When he finally finished, Fox called out to her," Blow it out now, Dana... before I come up with another line!!"

Heeding to his warning, Dana blew the candle out as Fox cheered her on.

"I want to open my gift now!!" Dana reached over to it but Fox blocked her. He had other gifts for her, but this was the one he wanted her to open first.

"Don't you want to eat your cake now?"

"Present first, then cake..." She looked at him pleading.

"All right..." Lifting the gift over to her Fox could never resist Dana when she looked at him like that.

Dana had to stand up to open the well-wrapped box. It was huge! Almost anything could be in it. She ripped into it, tearing the cardboard box as well as the wrapping paper. Going through lots of tissue paper, Dana finally reached her goal and pulled out a huge globe of the world.

Staring at it, the globe brought back memories of her school days when Dana would spin the classroom globe stopping it with her fingertip. Where it would land, would be the country Dana imagined herself traveling to when she was all grown up.

"The world, Dana..." Fox leaned his head against hers," I wanted to give you the world..."

"Oh, Fox..." She meet with his gesture by leaning closer to him. It was beautiful, her world," I don't think I could solve all the problems in the world, though..."

"All you have to do is give them the 'Look', Dana..."

"What 'Look'?"

"You know the 'Look'..." Fox pulled his body back as Dana lean away to watch him cross his arms, puckered his lips and raised an eyebrow, doing as almost perfect impression of her.

Dana looked back at him, raising an eyebrow.

Never in her life, did Dana feel so special.

After Dana had opened her gift, Fox removed his sweat pants and boxer shorts. Taking the small cake from the plate, he smashed and smeared it on his private area.

Hopping on the table right next to her, Dana couldn't help laughing at the mess of frosting and cake covering his penis and testicles.

"Come on, Kitty-cat, eat me up..." Fox encouraged her.

"... And I thought it was my birthday..." Dana laughed.

At the restaurant, Dana freely made a pig of herself. Not only finishing off her stack of pancakes, she stole some from Fox's plate when she pretended to feed him.

She got him to close his eyes and open his mouth, leaving him hanging when she shoved the fork-full into her mouth.

Going back to her apartment, Dana really wanted to stay home and relax. It wasn't often when they had this chance, but Fox had other ideas.

"Please, Dana, let's go to the movies. I wanna go to the movies. Pleazzz...?" Fox got into his begging routine.

Truth was Dana and Fox rarely went out. Their work schedule made it hard for them and they really weren't into it. Going to restaurants was about as far as it went. The last time they had gone to the movie theater was about five months ago.

Dana smiled at him," All right, as long as I pick the flick..."

"Of course... unless I don't like it..."

Before going to the movies, they stopped for lunch. Dana stuffed herself again with the best cheeseburger she ever ate.

Reaching over to Fox's plate to feed him a french fry, he pulled it away before Dana could touch the plate.

"No, you don't. Not again..." Fox lifted a fry and placed it in his mouth holding it like a cigarette. Leaning closer to her, he brought the fry near her mouth and offered it.

Dana took one bite, than another, until her lips were on his. Then she bit him.

"OUCH!!" Fox jumped as he took his hand to his lips, looking at her with surprise.

"Can I have another one...?" Dana looked at him so sexy.

Despite the big breakfast and heavy lunch, Dana asked Fox buy her the biggest tub of popcorn available with lots of butter and a big coke at the theater. Screw the diets! Dana was having too much fun pigging out.

Fox shook his head. Dana was the light eater of the two.

When he opened his mouth, Fox wanted to kick his own ass for what he had said.

"Geez, are you sure you're not pregnant...?"

He regretted saying it even before she looked at him. The pain covered all the happiest she had been sharing with him.

Before anything could be said, Fox took her into his arms, bear-hugging her tight. Up close he could see her eyes watering.

"I'm sorry..." he whispered to her.

"It's OK..." Dana nodded her head close to his chest. Looking up at him, she smiled but the sadness was still there.

"Come on, let me get you your popcorn..." Fox wanted to make up.

"... And a box of Milk Duds, too..."

After the movie, Fox suggested they take a walk in the mall, which surprised Dana. Fox hated shopping malls.

Doing more window-shopping than actually going into any of the stores, Fox and Dana came upon a jewelry place. They stopped to admire the items in the window.

Fox looked over to Dana, who was smiling back at him. He noticed she was playing with the engagement ring he had given to her on Valentine's Day

February 14th: Nine Days Ago

'... You bet I will' played over and over again in Fox's head. In her own special way, Dana had said 'yes'.

She would be his wife.

Dana extended her hand out to Fox as he placed the ring on her finger. His hand shook a bit from the sheer joy of her accepting his proposal.

As soon as it was on her, Dana was actually giggling. She could not get over how beautiful the ring was and what it meant.

Fox Mulder had asked her to marry him. Never did she believe this day would come.

It was funny the things Dana thought of as she admired the ring on her finger.

The first time he asked her to marry him was when she was in Maine helping the local authorities. She had called him for advice on the case.

She was on vacation, away from everything including Mulder. It was a time for her to be by herself. Life just didn't work out that way for her anymore.

"Scully...?"

"Yes...?"

"... Marry me..."

"... I was hoping for something a little more helpful..."

God, she didn't even believe him the first time he told her that he loved her.

"Hey, Scully..."

"Yes..."

"... I love you..."

"... oh, brother..."

Even when they went undercover as a married couple, being in his arms felt so right, no matter how hard she tried to pull away.

Fox was always such a teaser and it was hard to take anything serious with him.

Until that night, almost a year, when he asked to be called,'Fox', even then she thought he was kidding. Somehow, he made her believe.

Dana turned back to Fox, who was still on his knees with his head resting on his arms. The smile he had went from ear to ear.

She smiled as well and leaned over to kiss him. Like two magnets, they were locked together. Lip to lip. Soul to soul. The moment they shared was intoxicating

When they separated, Fox whispered," You're going to marry me...?"

"Yes, I am..."

"Really...?"

"Yes..."

"Even with all my bad habits..."

"Yes, even with the few good ones, too..."

"I love you, Mrs. Mulder..."

"I love you, Mr. Mulder..."

Their lips locked again, as they held onto each other with their kiss. Fox lifted his body off the floor and onto the bed next to her.

When they stopped kissing, Fox fell back onto the bed with a bounce. Dana moved over to him, resting her body on top of his as he hugged her tight.

"I'm going to tell the world. Scream it to everyone. I'll even take out the biggest ad in the newspaper... I, Fox Mulder is without question, totally for it, will do it in a second, am marrying Dana Scully!!"

"No, you are not..."

"Yes, I am. Wait until I blow some horns back at Headquarters..."

"You are not telling anyone..."

"Yes, I am..."

"No, you are not!! We can tell my mother and maybe Skinner but you are not to say anything!!"

For a moment, Fox thought she was joking until he saw the look on her face.

"You're kidding...?"

"I am certainly not!! Do you want them to take everything away from us, again? The X-Files... our crusade."

This was something he should be saying.

"Dana, you come first..."

"So do you, Fox... but we shouldn't have to lose the X-Files. We have done so much. We have to continue being quiet..."

"FUCK BEING QUIET!!!"

Moving Dana out of the way, Fox jumped off the bed. He paced up and down in front of her, angry at the words she had spoken.

"FUCK EVERYTHING!! YOU CANNOT BE THIS NAIVE, Dana!!! WHAT The FUCK MAKES YOU THINK THEY DON'T KNOW!!! The WHOLE FUCKIN' Building KNOWS, EVEN BEFORE WE STARTED FUCKIN' EACH OTHER!!! The CANCERMAN KNOWS!!! HOW COULD YOU TELL ME TO CONTINUE THIS CHARADE WHEN The WHOLE FUCKIN' CONSORTIUM, ALIEN RACE, EVERY JACK-ASS FUCKHEAD WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED KNOWS!!!"

He looked at Dana, who didn't seem to have anything to say, and he wasn't going to let you.

"I can't believe you live in such a la-la land, Dana. How many times do you think they have tape or videotape us?! Yeah, their own private collection of us fuckin' each other!! You won't even let me do that!!! Oh, let's just keep pretending, keep calling ourselves 'Mulder' and 'scully', no one will be the wiser... yeah, we fooled them all right!!"

"I... I just know how much the X-Files means to you... I..."

"No, apparently, you don't know shit!!" Fox went on his knees, taking her hands," You mean everything to me!! Yes, the X-Files are important, but you, you're everything... Everything I searched for... Dana, can't you see that?"

Her eyes were filled with tears, how could she be so foolish? Dana didn't want to believe anyone knew, yet, it was always there in front of them. No way to hide it... and why should they?

"I'm so sorry, I just know.. I don't..." Dana leaned her head against his," I'm just so afraid, Fox..."

"It's all right, Dana, there's nothing for you to be afraid of... They won't take anything away from us, so long as we are together..."

Present Time: Shopping Mall

"So where are you taking me for dinner?" Dana asked as she gave Fox a hug.

"Dinner? Are you kidding, we're going home and eat TV dinners..." Fox hugged her right back.

Dana playfully hit him in the stomach," Cheapskate!! No, really, where are we going?"

"Now that's a surprise!! Let's go home and change our clothes. You put on that pretty red dress of yours..."

"That dress!! In this weather!! I'll freeze!!"

"Not where we're going..."

"Come on, open the door, I'm freezing!!" Fox Mulder jumped up and down as Dana Scully slip in the key to the keyhole.

"... And you want me to wear that red dress," Dana said as she turned the key and pushed the door open," So, where are we going..."

"SURPRISE!!!" The whole apartment came to life with Dana's family and friends appearing before her. Her mother came up and hugged her tight.

"Happy Birthday, Baby!!" Maggie Scully kissed her daughter.

"OH, MY GOD!!! OH, MY GOD!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS!!" Dana's mouth and eyes were wide open," YOU!! WHY DIDN'T YOU WARN ME?!!" She slugged Fox.

"I'm better at keeping secret than you, that's all..." Fox laughed as he gave her a hug," Happy Birthday, love..."

Once all the greeting and best wishes were done, Maggie took Dana's hand and waved to Fox to come to her side.

"Dana, we have one more surprise for you... and for Fox, too."

"What?! What is it?!"

"Come on out!!" Maggie shouted.

Out from the bedroom, came a figure Dana had not seen for sometime, his hair was as red as hers was.

"OH, MY GOD!!! CHARLIE!!!"

Dana rushed to her younger brother as they hugged each other tight.

"Happy Birthday, Sis!!! God, it's great to see you."

"It's great to see you!! Oh, Charlie, look at you!! I can't believe you're here!!"

As brother and sister embraced each other, Fox Mulder had the urge to run out of the room. Charlie, the other brother was here.

What would Charlie think of him?

Would he hate him like Bill does?

What name would Charlie be calling him, if he disliked him?

All that came to past when Charlie looked up at him. A smile came across his face. He knew whom this man was that was staring at him and his sister.

Charlie walked up to him, extended his hand in a greeting.

"I know you anywhere, the famous Fox Mulder. It's great to finally meet you..."

What was he going to say?

First impression, right? Gotta make it sound good.

"... you, too..." Fox Mulder's voice came out in a squeak.

Thursday, February 24th: 2:10 A.M.

Fox Mulder couldn't sleep.

Staring at the stars from the window in the living room, Fox thought of his life this past year and was grateful.

He didn't know what he had done to deserve this happiness, even if it was his place to ask. Would there be anyone there to answer him?

Never would he trade his new life for answers to the questions he had made his life quest. They were out there. He simply needed to find them and djourney he was no longer alone on.

Yet, he hadn't really been alone for years. He never bothered to accept that. Only in the last two years did his eyes opened to one truth.

His love for Dana Scully.

Her willingness to be with him, every step of the way.

"Thinking..." He turned to her.

She came over to him and sat on his lap, as Fox place his arms around her waist. The warmth of her body was welcomed.

"I'm glad you finally met Charlie..."

Fox smiled. He himself was glad to meet the other brother he had only known by name. Charlie was definitely a different person than Bill, Jr.

He and Charlie hit it off right from the start, despite his squeaky voice. There was an age difference between them, but Fox could swear that Charlie seemed more grown up then either Bill, Jr. or himself.

Charlie took a great interest in him and asked Fox just about everything from the sports he liked to what movies were his favorites, never once touching on the subject of the work that he and Dana did for the FBI.

A subject Fox was glad they never got into.

Already Fox planned to meet Charlie to play shoots at his favorite basketball court this weekend as well as dinner later with Dana and their mother.

Fox was determined not to mess this one up. He really did like Charlie and could only hope Charlie felt the same way.

"Spookie..." Dana called to him breaking him of his thoughts," Would you be upset if we waited until next January to get married?"

It was a subject that was brought up at the party when Dana announced to everyone there of their engagement. She had not even told her mother beforehand. Poor Maggie nearly passed out.

The big question was when?

When were they getting married? Spring? Summer?

They shouldn't wait too long.

A big wedding? Yes, let it be a big wedding!

It has to be in a church... Fox, you don't mind?

A white gown, Dana... with lots of bridesmaids. A big party afterwards!

The whole family including Fox's whether he liked or not. So much to plan... Where and when to start..?!

Both Fox and Dana felt like their heads were spinning.

Dana wrapped her arms around his neck. Even in the darkness, Fox could see her blush.

"I always thought that getting married at the stroke of Midnight, on New Year's Eve, was romantic. The start of a New Year... the start of a new life."

He gave a light laugh. How could Fox tell her no?

"If that is what you want, Dana. It's fine by me. I don't think Mom will like it though. I think she was ready to have Father McCue marry us tonight..."

"If she had it her way..." Dana rested her head near his neck, looking out at the stars with him.

In the twilight of the night, they felt as if they were the only people in the world. Safe with each other, knowing one would never leave the other, they had been together for so much. The strength of their bond grew with each passing moment.

Somewhere In The United States.

Remembering that today was his sister's birthday, it was the first time that no one needed to remind him of it. He wished he could have called her, but as long as that 'sorry son of a bitch' was there, he would rather have rusty needles stuck in him than to hear that bastard's voice on the other end of the line.

Still, he missed his baby sister, wishing that things could be different between them. Life had a way of changing many things, but not always for the good.

Another officer greeted Scully as he entered into the large room where there were several men in suits waiting for him.

A Few Days Later

Walter Skinner looked at the phone number on the card before him. He debated whether to call or not.

After hearing her voice again, Skinner felt a warm and comfortable feeling when he spoke to her. Her voice was like an angel, who was indeed sent from the Heaven above.

He regretted that he had to turn down her offer, but there was too much work for him to make himself available.

Still, hearing from her made him realize how lonely he was feeling.

For over a week, he could not forget her. How many times he held her phone number in his hand, afraid to call, afraid of being rejected.

Finally, he had enough of his self-pity. Lifting the receiver, he dialed each number carefully.

He listened to the phone ring. Part of him hoped she would be home, the other wanted to hang the phone up quickly before she answered.

"Scully residence, this is Maggie speaking..."

"Uh... Hi, Maggie, this is Walter Skinner..."

The End...

Summary: On the road of Judgement, four souls meet.

The Road March 28th, 1999: Fox Mulder's Apartment

"... I love you, Fox, with all my heart, my mind and soul..."

Dana Scully kissed him gently on his lips. Fox Mulder felt his whole body shivered.

No more walls, aliens, government conspiracies or things of the unknown would ever keep them apart. They were now on a new road together, a new adventure for themselves.

"Thank you for letting me call you 'Fox'. I always loved your name..."

Fox hugged her, pulling her closer to him as he lied their bodies on the couch. Now he could sleep. With Dana in his arms, he never felt so peaceful.

The Afterlife: Timeless.

A road that seemed to have no end.

The soul knew she was dead.

Dead for some time, killed by her own hands.

An act that was once told to her in life meant damnation.

The road must be her Hell.

The soul heard the voices and the commitment of love.

The soul knew who the voices were.

A false lie, she had told to one of them. Of a life, the soul once spent with, claiming to be soul mates.

A lie that came close to obliterating what now took place on Earth.

The road of Judgment was long and lonely, the thought of a wasted life. A gift given by God ruined by self-pity, this soul had plenty of time to think.

As each step the soul took, she saw two images before her waiting in the road.

Where the four roads of Judgment met, two other souls had walked their journey to this place.

For one the walk was long.

For the other, a time of earth century had passed before the walk had ended.

The soul of Melissa Riedel-Ephesian stood before the two and recognized her soul mate.

"Greetings..." the soul of a Roman soldier spoke, he had long forgotten his earthly name," I have waited for you... Watched you in your many lives... To be with you again... My eternal wait has now ended... My soul mate... we have at last been reunited..."

The second soul, a man, who did not know what it was to be a slave. Highly educated, a life that was grand, the soul of George Smith spoke.

"I greet you as well... Though I have never lived a life with you... I look forward to the life we will all share together..."

It was then a fourth soul appeared. Unsure of the reasons why he was there stood before the three other souls.

"Am I dead...?" the soul of a man who once was called Pendrell asked," I mean, I was just going out... having a drink... then my chest hurt... How did I end up here...?"

"You are here because you are dead..." Spoke the soul of George Smith," Soon you will be alive again..."

The soul of Melissa Riedel-Ephesian studied the souls before her.

How could she be in damnation, when life was to be given back to her?

"There is no such thing as damnation... A soul is eternal... A life with each lesson learned brings one soul closer to a higher state..." the soul of the Roman soldier spoke.

"Then why was life denied you...?" the soul of Melissa Riedel-Ephesian spoke. To be close to one's soul mate was painful and loving.

"It is not my place to question God... Each thing has its reasons... The strength I have will be needed for the life I am soon to take... Just as the lives before you have prepared you for the destiny in this new life... Your gift will not be abused this time..."

Together they heard the voices. The love of their bond made the souls stronger.

"Wait... I know them... I lived a life with them... I loved her... I really did..." the soul of Pendrell confessed.

"I have lived many lives with them... So many times our souls have crossed... So many times I have caused heartaches for them both... Again, I am pulled toward them... This time I will live the life right..." the soul of Melissa Riedel-Ephesian spoke again.

"Then it is time... To move onto our next lives... To wait for our births in the field of Life..." the soul of the Roman soldier spoke," We shall be siblings in this life, but the bond will still be strong... How I waited for you... To be with you... My soul mate... never will there a more fulfilling life..."

The soul of the Roman soldier stepped forward and disappeared from sight when a new soul emerged. He knew his name and the life he would lead. The soul now known as David Mulder felt the strength of his destiny.

The soul of George Smith was no more as the soul of Ashley Mulder emerged to her new self.

The soul of Melissa Riedel-Ephesian stepped forward as a new soul took her place. In this life he would be known as Aaron Mulder. God had given him a great gift.

For a moment the soul of Pendrell hesitated. The new life that waited would be hard, a long road for next life to take. He had no choice but to step forward and become the soul of Benjamin.

They stood before each other, the feeling of the strength and bond. Not only of the love of their soon-to-be parents but the love each siblings would have for each other.

"Come..." the soul of David Mulder spoke," Our wait will not be long..." He guided the other souls into the field of Life.

As the souls of Benjamin and Ashley Mulder passed him, the soul of David Mulder stopped and turned back.

The soul of Aaron Mulder looked past the heavens to the earthly bound of his soon-to-be parents.

"They will need our guidance soon... Even before our births... Father needs to be shown the right way... and Mother... she needs only to have me to hold her hand..."

The soul of Aaron Mulder turned to join his siblings into the field of Life.

Summary: Some changes in life are harder to take than others.

At A Restaurant

Maggie Scully sat with her daughter Dana Scully for lunch at their favorite place.

Wanting to share some news with her, Maggie felt any minute that she was going to pop.

"I have a date for this Wednesday, Dana..."

"What?!!" Dana looked at her mother with surprise.

For some reason the word 'date' and 'mother' never seemed to fit together in Dana's mind. Yet, there it was, her mother had a date for Wednesday.

"I can't believe it!! You have a date..? I mean, not that you could ever have one... but you got a date?!! This is so exciting! Who is it, Mom? Anyone from church?"

"Well, no, honey... but it is someone that you and Fox know... Your boss, Walter Skinner called me the other day, and asked me out for dinner..."

For a couple of seconds, Dana stared at her mother with her mouth opened and her eyes not blinking. She shook her head after her brain adsorbed what her mother had said.

"Walter Skinner... my boss... asked you out for a date?" Dana carefully said.

"Yes, Dana... He did. It doesn't bother you, does it, dear?"

"I don't know, Mom. I mean that my boss... is taking you out... for dinner. I... I guess it's all right... I mean, you're a grown woman, he's a grown man. What is so wrong with the two of you going out... for dinner?"

"You don't like the idea, do you, Dana...?"

"No, Mom, no. It's all right... all right with me. You don't need my permission. Do you want to go out to dinner with him?"

Maggie Scully lowered her head and blushed a bit," Yes, I do, Dana. I really do..."

"Then go for it..."

"Oh, Dana, I'm really excited. I don't know what I'm going to wear... You don't think Fox would mind me going out with Walter?"

"Mom, don't worry about Fox. Remember this is your life. Your choice. Whatever you decide, you know we can handle it... Don't you think a new dress just might be great for this occasion...?"

Fox's Apartment

Fox Mulder decided to give up his apartment.

After a discussion with Dana Scully, it was the right choice for them both.

After all Fox was living more at her place than at his. Why continue to pay for an apartment to sit empty?

It never really was home. Just a place for Fox to sleep, eat, clean up and masturbate.

A place to hold up in between cases.

A place not to have a life.

In Georgetown, Fox did have a life, a home and a woman who he loved.

Dana Scully.

Dana Katherine Scully.

One day she would be Dana Katherine Mulder.

Mrs. Fox Mulder.

It sounded so right.

The timing was perfect. The lease on his apartment ended at the end of month.

Fox had plenty of time to go through his stuff and decide on what he wanted to keep. Whatever was left over he would let the Lone Gunmen have.

The discussion of Fox's video and magazine collection came up a few times with the guys.

Fox decided to keep part of his collection and let the Gunmen have the rest of it.

Now having sex on regular basics had slowed down Fox's viewing but not his interest in the material.

Having convinced Dana to watch some of his videos with him, Dana found the whole thing quite boring.

"Where is the story?" she asked.

"There's a story there... between the pussy and the dick..." Fox answered.

"That's all I see... a pussy and a dick... OH, MY GOD!! Rewind that!!" Dana reached for the remote control to rewind the video back to the spot that left her mouth hanging," Oh, God, that's impossible... oh... oh!! We have to try that..."

"You're too short for that, Red..." Fox said as he silently challenged her.

Dana turned to him with an evil look on her face. She was ready to make him eat his words and other things too.

Fox was sore from the whole experience.

All the furniture had to go including his leather couch that he loved.

The extra room Dana had in her apartment was to be his office.

With all the stuff he was bringing there would be no space for the couch to fit in the room or anywhere else in the apartment. Still, Fox was determined to convince Dana otherwise.

As he was leaving his apartment, Fox felt better about things for him now. His place in the Scully family was reassured and given a blessing by the youngest male member of the family.

One-Week Ago: Local Basketball Court

Despite the chilly weather, Fox Mulder and Charlie Scully played one on one. Both of them turned out to be an equal match.

Neither of them liked to lose.

It didn't matter to Charlie that this was his sister's boyfriend nor did Fox care that this was his beloved's younger brother.

No one here was playing favorites.

Someone's ass was going to be kicked.

Someone was going to be the champion.

With one final shot, Fox Mulder was victorious!

Throwing his arms up in the air, Fox let out a howl of triumph as he danced around the court.

Bending over to catch his breath, Charlie gave him a smile.

"How about another game, Fox?"

"Sure, I guess you like getting your ass kicked, huh?"

"Ain't my ass that's gonna hurt..."

The second time around, it was Charlie's turn to do the dance of triumph.

"Up for another ass kicking, Fox?" Charlie smiled at him.

Catching his breath, Fox eyed the younger man," ... sure..." He was too winded to come up with any smart-ass comment.

Resting off to the side, Fox and Charlie watched another game in progress. Both were quiet for sometime.

"You know, Fox, I been meaning to thank you..." Charlie turned to him.

"For what?"

"For everything you have done... for Dana and my mother. I never liked the idea of them being alone since my Dad passed away... Living out of state both Bill and I, we can't be there for them... It's good to know there's a man in the house again."

At first, Fox didn't know what to say. Without saying the exact words, Charlie Scully had given him his blessing and trust with the family. At that moment, Fox felt he really was a part of it.

"Thanks, Charlie... I appreciate that..."

Charlie smiled and gave him a whack on the shoulder.

Both of them turned their attention back to the game they were watching.

The man of the house.

It certainly felt different then when his father would announce to Fox of the role he expected his son to take on during his absence.

With his stomach turning, Fox would enter his father's study to hear the lecture he knew too well.

"You're the man of the house, Fox, until I come home. I expect you to take care of your mother and sister while I'm gone. You better not screw it up!!"

The many times he heard that speech from the age of four until Samantha was gone, as much as Fox liked it when his father was away he dreaded the lecture.

"Be a man, Fox..."

Expecting his son to be a grown-up and taking on the responsibilities of one was something a young Fox Mulder was uncertain on how to be or do.

The man of the house.

For once Fox was honored to be.

Knowing he was there for Dana and her mother always.

They were proud of him no matter what he did. Even if he screwed up, they were never ashamed of him.

Still, Fox was determined not to fail them ever.

Feeling secure in his place, Fox knew nothing could ever take away what he held dear to his heart and the feeling of knowing he was a man now.

Dana's Apartment

"It's about time you got home..." Dana called to Fox from the kitchen, as she added the last touches to the meal she was preparing.

"Yeah, I... Rat!!" Grabbing hold of the kitten as she leaped from the couch into Fox's arms. The young feline had changed much since they had brought her home. Bigger, friendlier and a holy terror that the Rat had become.

Shaking her head, Dana still didn't like Fox calling Sara, the Rat. She never gave up on correcting him.

"It's nice to know Sara's favorite is home."

"Aw, she loves you, too, honey. She just loves me a little bit more... Don't you, Rat..." Fox baby-talked to the kitten but her answer to him was a quick smack to his mouth," OUCH!! Dumb cat..."

Letting the kitten down, Fox walked into the kitchen and bear-hugged Dana from behind.

"What's for supper, Ma?"

"I hope lasagna turns you on..."

"If you smear it across your vagina, gives me a hard one every time..."

"Go set the table, potty-mouth..." Dana snickered at him.

As Fox was getting the dishes, Dana suddenly remembered the news her mother had told her. How could she have forgotten?

"Oh, Fox, there's something I got to tell you that Mom told me today... You are not going to believe this!!"

"What? Is your cousin Susie getting married again, or having that wart removed from her face?" Fox commented as he moved to the dinner table.

"No. Walter Skinner asked my mother out for dinner..."

The sound of the dishes hitting the table hard caused Dana to jump as she turned to the source of the sound.

Fox Mulder stood with his mouth opened as his eyes were locked on Dana's.

"What do you mean Skinner asked Mom out for dinner?!! Who the hell is he to be asking her out?!!"

"Well, I know it's unexpected, I certainly wouldn't have believed it... but that's what my mother told me... She's looking forward to it..."

For a moment, Fox's face froze with the expression of disbelief and horror.

"She's going out with him..? To dinner..? On a date..?!"

"Yes, Fox... she is..."

With his mouth hanging, Fox twisted his face with the frustration for the words he wanted to express. His hands gripped his waist tight with his knuckles showing the white of his skin.

"This is bullshit!! She's not going out with him... NOT EVER!!!"

"What?!!" Dana couldn't believe what he just said.

Fox grabbed the portable phone off the counter and held it out to Dana.

"Call up Mom and tell her she's not going!!"

"Fox...?" Dana stared at him. What the hell was wrong with him?

"Dana!!! CALL HER!!!"

"Fox, I'm not calling her... you're being..."

"She can't go with him..." Fox shook his head as he held onto the phone, rubbing his fingers hard against each other. The muscles tightened around his body told of the stress he was under.

"What has gotten into you...?" Suddenly noticing the change in his expression, Dana moved up to him," Fox...?"

"GODDAMN IT!!! THERE ARE HUNDREDS of WOMEN IN The FUCKIN' WORLD!!! WHY HER?!! WHY DOES HE HAVE TO COME INTO MY LIFE!!!"

Slamming the phone back on the counter, Fox paced where he stood. His sudden anger had catch Dana by surprise. Holding on to by his arm, Dana tried to calm him even as Fox tried to pull away.

"DAMN IT!!! IT's NOT FAIR!!! I DON'T WANT HER TO GO!!! DON'T LET HER GO, PLEASE?!!"

His body crumbled a bit coming closer to Dana's level. Fox's face still bared the sight of anger and frustration, yet his eyes were suddenly young.

"Don't let her go, please... Don't let him take her away from me..." Fox whispered under his breath.

Dana suddenly understood.

Poor Fox.

"Fox, come and sit down, please..." Guiding him to one of the chairs at the dinner table, Dana stood before him and took his face into her hands.

"Fox, Mom is not going anywhere. Skinner can never take her away from you..."

"What if he can..? He's not going to want me around..."

"And do you think Mom would put up with that?" Dana brought her face closer to him," Fox, it's just a dinner date. Nothing might come out of it. They're two people who are lonely and want to share their company. Remember what it was like for us?"

His face softened as Fox closed his eyes with his breathing slowed down.

"I hated it..."

"So did I... Let them go out, Fox. If it ends up becoming more than we can deal with it."

"You don't like it either?"

"It's not that I don't like it... it's weird!! But, hey!! Who said you and I have a normal life, huh?"

Fox smiled. Dana smiled back.

"I still don't like it..."

"That's all right..."

Fox started laughing. Looking at her caused his face to become redder.

"I'm sorry for the way I just acted..."

"That's all right too, Fox..." Dana reached over and hugged him tight.

Later That Evening

Fox Mulder slept peacefully under the watchful eyes of his beloved.

Though exhausted from the fit he threw, his desire to be loved and to love her, Fox entered Dana's body. Thrusting hard, fast and then slow, letting out the moans and screams as they pleasured themselves with each other. The heat created by their sex was still felt on him as Dana guided her hand along his chest to the crown of his silk-like hair.

His lips wrapped around the softness of her breast with her nipple encased by his tongue that moved with the rhythm of his sucking. Sounds escaped his throat showing the pleasure of his actions.

Dana leaned over and smiled at the sight in front of her. A simple act brought such peace to the man she loved. She wished everything could be this way for him in his life.

From the first day Dana Scully met Fox Mulder, her impression of this arrogant, annoying, overbearing, delusional, intelligent, witty, hardheaded, foolish and yes, good-looking man had intrigued her.

She had heard about Fox Mulder during her academy days when he was a profiler for the Violent Crime Unit and the gem of the Bureau. His unusual abilities to get into the minds of criminals earned him the respect of many while others considered his skills as being 'spooky'.

Yet the shining star Mulder started out to be soon faded when he discovered the X-Files. His pursuit into the unknown had bewildered and frustrated his superiors. He became an annoyance to others.

When she was given the assignment to work with Fox Mulder on the X-Files, there was no way Dana Scully was going to pass up the chance to work with a living legend... even if the legend was considered a nutcase.

Though they would never have admitted it, an attraction occurred between them the very first day. There was distrust from Mulder. Yet, he opened up to Scully telling her of his search for his missing sister, and the conspiracy within the government.

All this mattered to him. The only thing in his life was to discover the Truth.

How far they had come together.

The Truth still lingered like a carrot on a stick. They both still wanted it, to touch, taste, and devour it. Each time the carrot became smaller, still enough on there for their interest and pursuit to the very end.

There were discoveries among themselves.

There was no denying that Mulder was an intelligent and motivated adult. Emotionally, he never grew up. It was his emotions that would always get him into trouble.

Learning this of his personality, Scully believed Mulder had remained the twelve-year-old boy who could not remember how his sister disappeared from the family home. Though some years later, he would believe that aliens abducted her.

The guilt of his sister whom he was responsible for that night was laid heavy on him, an act that would govern his emotional side for years.

It was later that Scully realized there was more then a twelve-year-old boy inside of him.

What his childhood was like, Scully could only gather from what he would tell her or how she would observe him.

His encounters with his mother these past few years, had left their relationship bitter and full of hurt.

Teena Mulder was an affectionate mother, but an impatient one, who at times could barely tolerate her overactive son. As punishment, she would withdraw her affections for him. Leaving a young Fox Mulder hanging with his arms in the air not understanding why his mother did not love him at that moment.

Mulder was deep in his heart, a tactile person. Even at the beginning of their partnership he always made some kind of body contact with Scully. A touch by the hand or standing near her was a standard behavior Scully accepted from Mulder.

In the later years, they began to embrace each other more, staying within the fine line and not crossing it but coming close to their hearts' desires. Scully never held back any body contact with Mulder. Even when she wasn't in the mood to be touch, Scully would give to Mulder the affection he craved.

It saddened Dana that Fox needed to be reassured he was loved. Always living in the fear of things being taken from him. It happened too many times for him not to develop this complex. His reaction to the news of her mother and Walter Skinner had reinforced the insecurity Fox suffered from the abuse of losing the things he loved.

During the first few weeks of their new relationship and a few months before the incident in December, Dana was more convinced than ever that the child that lived in Fox Mulder was a child of many different ages.

Feeling her body being shook gently, Dana awoken from a sound sleep. Her eyes slowly opened to the darkness of her bedroom.

The weight on her shoulder caused her to turn her around and to feel the familiar form that belonged to the man she loved.

Dana leaned over to the lamp on the night table to turn it on. The brightness of the light caused her to blink but revealed the sight before her.

"Fox... what's wrong...?" Dana asked him.

Noticing the look on his face with his lip pouted out and his brow pressed in a frown. Dana noticed how his eyes were young and worried.

"Dana, do you love your baby?"

With her eyes wide, Dana could not believe Fox was baby talking to her. Checking to see if he was sleep-talking, Fox asked the question to her again.

"Do you love your baby?"

Seeing his need for an answer, Dana spoke from the heart.

"Yes, I do..."

"Really...?"

"Yes..."

"Even when we have our babies, will you still love your baby...?" Fox grabbed her arm and held it tight as he kept his eyes on her.

"More than ever..." She embraced him in her arms with him resting his head on her shoulder.

With his body shaking, Dana could feel the fear that soon came over him.

"He hurt me so much..." Fox whispered.

"I know..."

"Hurt me really bad..."

"I know, Sweetie, but he's gone... He'll never come back... He'll never hurt you again..."

"Don't let him..."

"Never..."

Feeling his body lifting when he let out a sigh, Fox's body weight rested heavy beside Dana as he gave into sleep.

His behavior that night Dana was unsure what had caused it. Yet, the source of the problem led to one name: Bill Mulder.

Dana Scully never met the man, but Fox Mulder always spoke of his father with some fear in his voice. At the same time he was reassuring himself of the love he had for his father and tried to hide the hate that was truly there. A hate that was carried on into the relationships he would have with other men in his adulthood life.

Fox Mulder hated men.

Always challenging them and proving to them as well as to himself he was not that scared little boy who could easily be push around. He was going to push back harder before any man could lay a hand on him.

There were very few men that had Fox Mulder's respect.

Even in his relationship with the Lone Gunmen it was more like a bunch of kids following the leader off to do battle with the monster known as the Government. After slaying the evildoers, the four of them would cheer each other on, then go out later for beers and steak sandwiches.

Reggie Purdue was a man Mulder always spoke with great regards. Showing the respect, he had as an equal with his deceased superior from the VCS.

Deep Throat, Scully knew Mulder respected and missed him terribly.

She knew very little about the Senator who helped Mulder during the early years of the X-Files. It was not hard to figure Mulder once had respect for the man.

Treated more in an idol position, Arthur Dales' quest earned Mulder's respect and admiration for the groundbreaking efforts made by Dales during his years in the X-Files.

It was a strange idea to accept considering her own feelings about the man, but Dana believed Fox might have respect for Alex Krycek. Despite his outer hatred for the man, the possible murderer of Fox's father, his involvement with her own sister's death, and countless of other incidents, deep down inside Dana suspected Fox liked him.

The same could be said for the Cigarette Smoking Man. Both the hate and love could be seen in Mulder's eyes whenever the man stood before them.

A strange balance of emotions that would drive Fox Mulder throughout his life with these men, perhaps desiring a stable bond of friendship, love and respect with others of the same sex.

Walter Skinner was the closest person Mulder ever had as a father figure. It was obvious to Scully that Mulder respected and even loved Skinner. His desire for the older man's approval was a secret kept from the rest of the world except for Scully, who was well aware of it from the start.

Yet again, Fox Mulder would fight the urge to be weak in front of another man. The many times he had done battle of words with Skinner to get his way, a battle Mulder tended to lose.

His anger at the lost would show as he stomped out of Skinner's office... like a child.

Looking at her sleeping Fox, this new situation with Skinner would test them both. It was one thing to work with the man but with the chance of a possible relationship with her mother that alone was enough for Dana.

Shaking her head, it was too much for her to worry about now.

If they were to start picking china patterns then Dana might worry.

Two Days Later: At A Morgue

Agent Fox Mulder stood to side as Agent Dana Scully examined the body of the latest victim that had brought them onto the case.

Focusing on Scully's description of the injuries on the body, Mulder's eyes wandered to the clock on the wall.

Mother Scully was now on her date with Walter Skinner.

Biting down on his lips, Mulder turned his attention back to Scully.

He wasn't going to think about it.

Two Days Earlier: Dana's Apartment

Fixing his tie, Fox Mulder stood before the mirror in Dana Scully's bedroom.

Feeling refreshed from a good night sleep, Fox reviewed his thoughts from the night before.

Walter Skinner asked Maggie Scully out for dinner.

Dinner.

Maggie Scully was going out with Walter Skinner for dinner.

Dinner.

Damn it!! He couldn't get his tie on right!!

Was Fox still angry at the thought of his superior dating the woman he now knew as 'Mom'?

Angry... maybe not, but it bothered him. It bothered him a lot.

Still it wasn't enough to cause the fit he threw last night that he was of ashamed for doing.

He shouldn't have acted that way. Causing such a scene like a spoiled child was not the proper way to deal with the situation.

Loosening the knot on his tie for the fifth time, Fox knew he needed to be more adult about it. Yet his emotions had gotten the best of him, a source of frustration that lingered throughout his life.

Fox, whether he liked it or not, was an emotional human being.

Forget his educational background, ditched his unique ability of foresight and reasoning, his emotions always did him in.

Dana Scully walked back into the bedroom when Fox again failed at fixing his tie right.

"Dana, can you fix my tie for me, please?" he asked her.

In a few seconds, Dana had his tie on him right and straight.

"Thank you..." Fox smiled at her.

"You're welcome... You don't mind having cold cereal for breakfast, do you, Spookie?" Dana asked as she was putting her watch on.

Cold cereal? Yuck!! In the chilly morning a bowl of streaming oatmeal with honey and just the right amount of milk sounded a whole lot better.

"Well, I rather have oatmeal..."

"Oatmeal? I don't think we have any, but let me look," Dana walked out of the room.

Watching the two large figures, Sara the kitten finally saw her opportunity for an attack.

The shoestring dangled from the shoe Fox slipped on his foot now became Sara's first victim of the day.

"Rat!! Knock it off!!" Fox grabbed her by the back of the neck even as she gave the death grip to his shoe string.

"Dumb cat..." Fox playfully pushed her as he brought her on the bed. Sara's response was to take Fox's hand and bite down on it, hard.

"OUCH!! You..." For the next few minutes, Fox and Sara (or the Rat) roughhoused it.

FBI Headquarters: 10:52 A.M.

"... Do you think he'll say anything, Scully?" Mulder had asked as they rode the elevator up.

"I don't know, Mulder. Just you don't say anything..."

"Why do I have to keep my mouth shut? What's there to hide? I'm sure he knows Mom would say something to us..."

"I'm sure he does know, Mulder, but it doesn't mean he has to say anything. He might feel this isn't any of our business..."

"I think it is OUR business. We have to look out for Mom..."

"Fox... please. Don't start anything."

"I'm not starting anything, Scully. It's... just that I love Mom and I don't want her to be hurt..."

"Mulder, listen to yourself. How long have we known Skinner? How many times have we trusted him with our lives...?"

"There were lots of times we didn't trust him..."

The elevator door opened as several other Federal workers entered then ended the conversation between Mulder and Scully for now.

Walking into Skinner's office, both agents felt awkward. The sudden reality of Skinner entering their private lives through Maggie Scully had left them feeling exposed.

Yet it was a feeling neither of them should have.

Walter Skinner was an important figure to them in their quest for the Truth. Caring like no other person in the Bureau ever had. Even when Mulder and Scully for a short time were no longer under Skinner's command, he made the effort to extend his hand to help them, as long as no one was watching him.

Dana Scully reminded herself of this. Her feelings toward Skinner had within the last few months changed since her distrust toward him last year. Her gratitude toward Skinner put aside any doubts she had of him if her mother and he were to become more involved after the dinner date.

Fox Mulder had a temporary memory loss of everything Skinner had done for them. All he saw was a man who wanted to enter his private life and his territory.

"Morning, Agents... have a seat..." Skinner gestured to them.

"Morning, Sir..." Scully answered him as she walked ahead of Mulder.

"Morning..." Mulder replied.

Assisted Director Skinner was a man who went straight to business. For over an hour, they discussed the pervious case the agents had handled as well as the newest case Mulder presented at their meeting.

Observing her partner as he discussed the details of the latest case to Skinner, Scully was confident that whatever feelings Mulder was having before they came to the meeting, he was able to put it aside. Not even his body language gave away any disapproval on his part.

She was proud of him.

Agent Mulder felt like a ticking bomb. If it weren't for the fact that he needed to be well behaved in front of Skinner, he would have gone off from the start. Focusing on the case and the importance it was to him kept his mind off of Mother Scully for now.

Assisted Director Walter Skinner listened to Mulder made his presentation.

Before the two agents came into his office, Skinner debated whether to discuss his dinner date with Agent Scully's mother. He was quite certain they knew of it. The look that Agent Mulder gave to him told of his disapproval. Agent Scully seemed better at masking her true feelings.

Skinner felt as if he was standing before Maggie's parents. Mulder's attitude at the beginning reminded him of his late wife's father. No man was good enough for his daughter. Not even a well mannered, hard-working man as Skinner had presented himself.

Though Mulder no longer showed any of his aggressive body language Skinner had seen before the meeting started, he decided it was better not to bring up his dinner date with Maggie Scully.

There was no need to start any trouble.

Beside, it really wasn't any of their business.

"... Can you believe he didn't say anything, Scully!!" Mulder roared as they walked back to their office.

"We were not there for that reason, Mulder," Scully told him as she entered the room first.

When Mulder closed the door, Scully walked back to him hugging him tight.

"I'm so proud of you. You handled yourself well in there."

"Well... what else was I to do..? Shoot the guy?"

Not a bad idea.

"Why didn't he say anything, Dana?"

"Fox, please don't worry about it. I'm sure Skinner has his reasons... Leave it at that..."

Two Days Later: Maggie Scully's House- 11:15 P.M.

Maggie Scully could not think when she had such a wonderful time. Only when she was with her deceased husband did Maggie felt so grand.

Walter Skinner may not look like it, but he was a charming gentleman.

Beside her deceased husband only one other man had ever made her feel so special, but not like this. A man like Walter Skinner was no adopted son like Fox Mulder.

Fox was her child. Walter was a man.

She felt her body tingle from the thought of Walter's manhood. It had been so long since she felt this way for the opposite sex.

As he walked Maggie Scully to her door, Walter Skinner never felt so alive. It had been so long since he had a night like this. With a woman whose kindness, smart wit and beauty could be seen in her smile.

Standing before the door feeling for her keys in her purse, Maggie smiled at Walter.

"I had a wonderful time, Walter... I hate for it to end..."

"So do I, Maggie... Maybe we can do this again..." Walter smiled at her.

"I would love that... Walter, would you like to come in for coffee?"

"I would love to..." Walter Skinner smiled.

Mulder's Motel Room

He didn't bother to noticed the time on his watch which stated 3:32 A.M., his body had told him everything. It was late. It was time to sleep, a long sleep if possible, which he doubted it.

Only having enough energy to remove his trench coat and jacket, he landed on his back as he threw himself onto the bed. Not a comfortable bed but one never the least.

The sounds coming from the bathroom told him that he was not alone. It was not hard for him to convince her to stay in his room instead of going to hers. Fuck being on assignment, he had to have her in his arms.

Hearing her footsteps that no longer bare her dark blue pumps, he could already imagine her in a large T-shirt that had once been his, leggings or pajama bottoms covering her lovely little legs and always with those woolly socks on her feet.

She did that on purpose. So much clothing he had to go through to get her lovely goodies.

Tonight, though, he was tired. The case had been draining on them. So many leads they were still following, a rare chance to catch some sleep before returning to their work.

He was tired, but if she was to start anything... Well, who was he to deny her this body?

Hearing her voice scolding him for sleeping in his clothes, he smiled inside of himself.

He did that on purpose.

She continued to lecture him as he felt one shoe than the other being removed from his feet that was soon followed by the sound of them hitting the floor. Her voice was stern but sweet.

Feeling her body's warmth when she moved closer to him, he felt himself becoming aroused as she brought his pants' zipper down.

Even with his eyes closed and her mouth now shut he knew where she was. Feeling her hands gripping the side of his pants, she was about to pull them down when he waited for the right moment to let one fly.

He couldn't stop himself from laughing as he heard her become disgusted by him and let him have two hard smacks to the side of his hip as punishment.

Despite what he had done, she continued to undress him. He felt the softness of her breath when she removed his tie and unbuttoned his shirt.

Pushing the shirt's opening to the sides, she began to massage his chest through his T-shirt. He let out a gasp when her thumbs circled his nipples.

Enjoying the pleasure it was causing him and feeling his body coming more to life, it was then that she pinched him, hard on the nipples.

He let out a loud shout of pain as she leaped to the side to avoid his grabby hands.

Rubbing the pain out of his chest, he let out a moan of pain as he turned around to look for his kitty-cat.

The answer came soon enough as he felt the mattress bounced and the blankets he was resting on being moved. He turned his head in time to watch her go under the covers, smiling at him. Pulling on the blankets, she signaled him to join her.

Lifting his body off the bed, he finished undressing himself and left only his boxers on.

Diving under the covers, he enjoyed the sudden warmth of her body near his. Pulling her into his arms, he exposed his chest to her.

"Look at what you did to me..." He pointed to his nipples that were red from the pinching.

"Oh, I'm so sorry..." She quickly gave each of his nipples a kiss and returned back to her place.

Snuggling closer to him, she rested her head on his shoulder.

"Good night, Spookie..." She then closed her eyes.

"That's it?" Looking at her, he had expected some more.

"What..? Oh... I love you, Fox. Shut the lights off, will you?" With that, she closed her eyes once more to welcome the chance for a few hours of sleep.

God, she was such a tease! Letting out a sigh, there wasn't much else to do but to reach over and shut the lights off. He snuggled close to her resting his head near hers.

"Good night, Dana... I love you, too..."

A Few Days Later: Fox's Apartment

When Fox Mulder entered his apartment, he was taken back by the sight in front of him

Save for his leather couch, television, two lamps, several large framed pictures, his computer and about ten boxes, his apartment was empty.

Over the weekend, when he and Dana were away on assignment, Fox left instructions to the Lone Gunmen to move out everything they wanted. Fox planned on donating whatever the guys did not take. Looking around, there was nothing left except for what he was keeping.

Resting on his couch, which now belong to the Gunmen, Fox had asked them to move it out at the end of the month. He still needed something to sit on when he came over to his place.

Dana wasn't going to let him keep the couch.

She kept telling him she was sorry and that he could whine all he wanted but there just wasn't any room for it in her apartment. End of the subject.

Bringing his whole body to rest on it, Fox let the comfortable feeling of the couch consume him. He really was going to miss the couch.

Letting out a yawn, Fox listened to the sounds around him. The noises outside, his neighbor above walking, he could hear the talking between the walls. Hearing these sounds relaxed him as his eyes were heavy giving into sleep.

Fox's eyes flung opened at the sound of the voice he heard. He pulled his body up quick as felt for his gun that was no longer there. Even the weapon he kept under his pants' leg was gone.

His eyes focused on the figure that stood before him. No weapon in his hand. Nothing, except for the smirk of a smile that belonged to Alex Krycek.

"You motherfucking son of a bitch!! What hell do you want?!" Fox screamed at him.

Krycek's smile grew larger as he pointed to the couch asking silently if he could sit down. He knew Mulder would not answer him, at least not the way Mulder would like to.

Not knowing if Krycek had a weapon or not kept Mulder at bay. His own weapons were no longer in his possession were certainly somewhere on Krycek.

"Relax, Mulder..." Krycek spoke as he sat on the couch," I'm not here to kill you, beat you... or even kiss you..." The smile returned again," Heard this place was going to be available at the end of the month. Thought I would come by and check it out. Always did like your place... but it's too easy to break into... I'll have to do something about the locks..."

Mulder remained quiet, his eyes burned with hatred for the man that sat across from him.

Krycek's smile remained. For whatever reason, he never believed that Mulder disliked him. It was just a feeling, despite the many beatings the two would give to each other over the years. Still, Mulder wasn't always easy to read.

"Hey, by the way... Congratulations!! Heard you and Agent Scully are finally an item. Took you long enough... Must feel good not to walk around with blue balls anymore..."

Mulder remained silent.

"Come on, Fox. Say something! You can't possibly have anything to say to your old partner."

"Don't call me 'Fox'..."

Krycek knew that would get to him. It was time to take care of the business he was sent here for.

"Here..." Krycek reached inside his coat," The old man asked me to give this to you. I don't like being his delivery boy... but once in awhile, you have to do shit like this."

Krycek tossed a large yellow envelope to Mulder who caught it quick. Looking suspiciously at it, Mulder's curiosity came to the surface as he studied the envelope.

"He said you would like these... just like the ones from December, whatever that means..." Rising from the couch, Krycek fixed his coat," Well... it's time for me to leave. You have been a great host, Mulder. Got to do this more often. We should get together for dinner with our ladies... Go to a club. That would be a lot of fun..."

Walking out with his eyes remaining on Mulder, Krycek opened the front door to step out.

"Oh, almost forgot..." He placed Mulder's weapons on the ground near the door," Wouldn't look good for you to lose these..."

With that, Alex Krycek walked out and closed the door.

Fox Mulder bolted from the couch and grabbed one of his weapons as he stepped out to an empty hallway.

No point in going after Krycek with the risk of an ambush, Fox stepped back into his apartment and locked the door. He was certain he had locked it when he first came in, but Mulder knew it wouldn't have done any good against a person like Alex Krycek.

Returning to the couch, Fox lifted the envelope and studied it once more. It was not as heavy as the first envelope he received from the Cigarette Smoking Man but what was in it was all that Fox wanted to know as he carefully opened it and pulled out over a dozen regular size black and white photographs.

What he saw made his stomach cringed.

The first one he held was of his mother, father, and another man. Though the faces were young, Fox immediately recognized the Cigarette Smoking Man standing near his mother as his father stood on the other side with the date of February 1958 printed on the back.

Two other photographs of his parents and the Cancer Man together with the date printed on each stating they were taken before Fox was born.

The smiles that appeared on their faces revealed a carefree friendship. Though the love Fox saw in his father's eyes toward his mother it was the other man's glare that was the most disturbing.

One photograph was of his mother standing alone, looking young and beautiful. Fox never thought she could look so glamorous but it wasn't a way for a son to look at his mother anyhow.

Three other photographs showed his mother posing with the Cigarette Smoking Man as they stood close to each other. Looking like a couple... who were in love.

It was not difficult to notice the obvious attraction they had for each other. How could anyone not see it?

Was it his father who took these photographs? If it was, he was a bigger fool than Fox could have imagined him to be.

The last four photographs left Fox with no emotions as he held them tight between his fingers.

One was of the Cigarette Smoking Man holding a newborn in his arms. Stated on the back of the photograph in bold black print: Fox, Three Days OLD.

The next one was of Fox again as a baby wearing only a diaper and being held by the Cigarette Smoking Man. Looking to be around a year old, it was stated on the back of the photograph: Fox, Seventeen Months OLD, March 1963.

There were two other photographs of him at the age of three and the other when he was seven years old. Each one was taken of him smiling with the Cigarette Smoking Man at his side. How the hell could he not remember any of this?!

Having only one clear memory of meeting the hated man as a child, Fox remembered the kind words he was told by the Cigarette Smoking Man of him doing well in school and his likes of sports.

Why could he remember both the good and bad times in his life but not this man?

Like Samantha's disappearance, his memories of those events were lost as well.

Taking all the photographs in his hand, Fox walked into the kitchen.

He turned on the garbage disposer and tossed each photograph in.

Dana's Apartment

As soon as Fox was home, Dana knew something had happened.

Without mentioning the photographs, Fox told Dana about Krycek breaking into his apartment to harass him. It was a reminder to them of their vulnerability to what was left of the Group they once thought was no more.

Covering his face with his hands, Dana rubbed his back. His voice held a lot of anger but Fox kept it in check the whole time he talked. Now sitting still, Dana stayed by him waiting for him to make the next move.

Finally, Fox lifted his face from his hands.

"When..? When is it ever going to end, Dana? I'm so tired of all of this. I wish they would leave us alone..." He brought his body back against the couch.

Moving in closer to give him comfort, Dana rested her head on his shoulder. Fox responded by placing his head near hers. Taking her hand, he started playing with the engagement ring as he twisted it around her finger.

"Have you heard from Mom, yet?" Fox suddenly asked.

"No, I haven't. I've been too busy to give her a call..." Dana wasn't lying. The moment they returned home from their assignment, Dana had been nonstop working around the apartment.

Suddenly a small furry face appeared on Fox's lap. Sara sensing some discomfort from her favorite giant guided her tiny body closer to Fox's face. With her small paw gently touching his chin, Sara let out a meow of concern. The attention the small creature was giving to Fox caused him to smile.

Taking his hand, he started to rub the back of her tiny ear. The stroking immediately brought purrs from the kitten. Her eyes closed with contentment as Fox's fingers guided through her fur.

"Rat really loves you, Fox..." Dana smiled at the two of them.

"Rat? I thought you liked the name,'sara'?"

"Well... she looks more like a 'Rat' than a 'sara'... Right, Rat?" Dana reached over and stroked the kitten's back.

Rat gave Dana a meow as she enjoyed the attention the two giants were giving her.

Saturday, March 25th: Dana's Apartment

Fox Mulder originally planned to spend his Saturday moving the last of his stuff out of his apartment.

His plans were suddenly dropped when Dana informed him that her mother invited them over to her house for lunch that same Saturday.

Getting in touch with the Lone Gunmen who were to help him move out, Fox asked if they could do it without him. Promising a meal before the year was up, Fox freed himself to join Dana for the afternoon.

He was anxious to see Mother Scully and whether or not the date she had with Skinner would be mentioned Fox planned no matter what to bring it up himself.

Neither of the two agents had seen Skinner since their return from their assignment several days ago. The AD had been away from the office attending several meetings.

Putting on his jacket as he walked back into the living room, Fox dressed in the dark-blue sweater Maggie had given him for Christmas as well a pair of loose-fitting jeans and sneakers.

While he was there, Fox figured he would take care of some repairs Maggie had asked him to do. Because of their busy schedule, he was unable to fulfill her request. It was time to make everything up.

Noticing Dana in the kitchen talking on her cell phone, Fox called out to her," Dana, let's go!!"

"Give me a moment..." she told him as she returned to the phone call.

Annoyed, Fox moved restlessly in his place. Whomever Dana was talking to, surely she could call back later. He was about to call her again, when Fox felt a sharp pain climbing up his leg.

Grabbing hold of Rat before she moved up any further, this wasn't the first time the kitten had used Fox's leg as a tree trunk. It was a habit that Fox needed to break before Rat got any bigger.

"You piece of shit, stop doing that!!" He gave the kitten a rub behind her head.

Rat answered him with a meow and a gentle touch with her paw on his chin. The ball of fur certainly knew how to charm her favorite giant.

Smiling at the kitten's kind gesture, Fox brought her closer to his face and hugged her against him.

Never knowing he could love something that wasn't human so much. It was one thing to love cats, but to have the love of one given back to him was whole new experience for Fox. He regretted never owning a cat before Rat.

"OK, let's go..." Dana said as she placed the cell phone in her purse.

"Who were you talking to?" Fox asked as he continued petting his kitten.

"My cousin Anita. She wanted to see if we could get together tomorrow and look over some bridal magazines..." Dana slipped on her coat," I asked her if she could wait until next weekend to do it. There are some things I want to do tomorrow..."

"Why did she call you on your cell phone or did you call her?" Fox asked.

Dana let her shoulders drop as she let out a loud huff. Her mood had been short since she awakened. Even when Fox tried to cuddle close to her in bed this morning, Dana gave him a shove and rolled her body away from him .

"Jesus Christ, Fox!! You don't need to know everything!! She and I needed to talk, so we talked. Does it matter what phone I used?!" Dana snapped at him.

"Geez... all right, you don't have to be a bitch about it..." Fox snapped back at her.

Big mistake.

"WHO The HELL ARE YOU CALLING A BITCH?!!!"

"Who else is standing in front of me?!! All you have been doing is bitching at me all morning!! What am I?!! Your fuckin' punching bag?!! Is that what I was born for?!! Fuckin' punch me anytime you want?!! FUCK THIS SHIT!! Either talk to me or go to HELL!!!"

Fox ducked before the drinking glass reached his head and crashed against the wall. Rat jumped out of his arms and ran under the couch frightened by sudden loud commotion.

"YOU SON of A BITCH!!!" Dana screamed at him," YOU, ARROGANT SON of A BITCH!!! HOW COULD YOU TELL ME TO GO HELL?!!! OH, GOD!! SOMETIMES YOU MAKE ME WANT TO HATE YOU!!!" Dana lowered her head into her hands," You bastard!!! You don't even remember what today is?!!"

"What?!! Is that what you're pissed about?!! What?!! What is today, Dana?!!! Some special holiday that I forgot to mark on the calendar?!! Why don't you fill me in on the details?! Since you are SO high and mighty about celebrating every fuckin' piece of shit holiday that comes up!!!"

Dana was silent for a moment. Her head to the side not facing him with her bottom lip pouting out.

Without looking at him, Dana spoke," It was a year ago today, you asked me to call you 'Fox'..."

His face popped up with his anger suddenly gone. Fox had forgotten, yet Dana remembered. How quickly a year had gone by.

Still not looking at him, Dana continued," You didn't even remember the anniversary of our partnership this month, but then again, you never do... I always remember... For a man who's suppose to have an eidetic memory, you are very lousy on special dates... unless there is tragic to it..."

That was a hit below the belt, but sensing that her tension was easing, Fox moved up to her and touched her shoulders.

"I'm sorry, Dana... I didn't mean to forget both dates..."

"You probably forget them next year..." Dana turned and looked at him," I guess I'll have to write them down on the calendar for now on..."

Shaking his head, Fox agreed with her as he brought his arms around her," You know, this was the best year of my life..."

"Mine too..." Dana answered.

"Can we top it?" Fox asked.

"I hope every year we can..." Dana smiled.

Maggie's House: Afternoon

It was difficult for Fox to hide his excitement as they pulled up to Mother Scully's neighborhood.

Not seeing her for some time, Fox ached to be with her. Never far from his mind was the Walter Skinner issue.

Feeling protective of Maggie, Fox wanted to be sure that she enjoyed herself (God forbid) on her date with Skinner.

Planning to ask lots of questions, Fox was not concern how the subject would be brought up. He could be quite blunt when he wanted to know things.

When they pulled up to Maggie Scully's house, the first thing they noticed was the automobile that was parked in her driveway.

"Who's car is that?" Fox asked.

"I don't know... I don't recognize it. Maybe it's a friend of my mother's..." Dana answered as she stopped the car.

Looking the other car over as he got out, Fox noticed it to be a standard American car. A common, dark-blue, well clean with no toys, books, junk food wrappers or cutest signs around it. The car definitely belonged to a single person with no kids, a clean-nut for sure.

"Fox..." Dana called him," If you want to know who it is, let's go inside..."

Walking away, Fox tried to think if he had ever seen a car like that before.

"You know, Dana, that car almost looks like the one that belongs to Skin..."

Both of them stopped dead in their tracks.

When they entered the house, Maggie Scully greeted them both.

"It's so good to see the two of you..." Maggie gave each of them a kiss.

Looking carefully inside, Dana had expected to see Walter Skinner observing them from the living room couch, but instead the room was empty.

Fox himself looked around before giving Maggie a hug.

"Who's car is that in the driveway, Mom?" Fox asked right away.

"It's my car..." a voice came from the direction of the kitchen. Walking out to greet them was Walter Skinner drying his hands with a towel.

Though it was only for a few seconds, it felt like an eternity before anyone would speak.

"It's good to see you two. I take it things went well on the case...?" Skinner spoke first.

Dana quickly answered," Yes, it did, sir. We..."

Bringing his hand up to stop her, Skinner shook his head.

"Save that for Monday, Scully. This is not the place for it..."

"Dana," Maggie corrected Walter," In this house we go by first names. I don't want to hear any Scully, Mulder or Skinner being called out. Understand?" She looked at all three of them.

They all answered her, nodding their heads and saying 'yes'.

Walter walked up to them noticing neither of them seemed to want to move away from the entrance of the doorway.

"It's good to see you... Dana," He shook her hand.

"You, too, sir... uh, Walter..." Dana walked out of the way quickly.

"Fox..." He extended his hand out.

"Walter..." Fox gave him a good firm handshake. Noticing he still had the towel in his hand, Fox smiled at Walter," Washing dishes?"

"No... I was washing my hands. I was doing some work for Maggie... the back door needed to be repaired."

"The back door...?" It was one of the things Fox was going to fix for Maggie today.

"Yeah, there were a couple of other things I took care of for her. No major repairs..." Walter turned away to join the ladies in the living room.

Fox's bottom lip stuck out. A frown was growing on his face.

"The only problem I had was the sink in the bathroom, whoever did the pipes the last time, really screwed it up..." Walter added without looking back at him, unaware that it was Fox who worked on the pipes in the bathroom the last time.

(Motherfucking, son of a bitch, balding bastard...)

Fox finally followed with his face still twisted with annoyance, until Dana caught his eyes giving him the look.

Dana's Apartment: Late Evening

Laying in bed, Fox Mulder played with his thumb halfway in his mouth. He wasn't feeling proud of himself at all. How he behaved today really brought down his opinion about himself.

Rat rested beside him watching his hand twist around inside of his mouth. Attracted by the movement, she tried a few times to catch Fox's hand with her claws.

Noticing what she was doing made Fox realize what he was doing and removed his thumb from his mouth.

(Baby!!)

Coming out of the bathroom, Dana readjusted her ponytail before climbing into bed. Fox watched her but didn't say anything until she threw the covers over herself.

"I'm not much of a man, am I...?" Fox asked her as his bottom lip stuck out.

"Why do you say that?" Dana smiled at him," You got all the right parts..." She leaned over to pat him gently on the groin.

"You know what I mean... the way I acted today..." Fox turned away only to look back, waiting for Dana to agree with him.

Dana let out a sigh. He still wanted to talk about it," No, your behavior should have been better... but you were being yourself..."

"Being myself... being childish..? Isn't that what you said earlier...?"

"Yes, Fox. There are times you can be very childish when you become emotional... You let your emotions consume you to where all rational thoughts leave you... You act without thinking."

"You mean I was acting like a baby!!" He pouted.

Dana brought herself closer to him resting her hand on his chest. Rat reached over and pawed at her hand. Dana smiled at the kitten then brought her smile to her man.

"Fox... I know what you're afraid of. You're not going to lose anything. There is nothing Walter Skinner can take away from you. Yet if you continue to act this way, lashing out at the people who do care about you... then you will only have yourself to blame if you were to lose the things that you love..."

As he took in what Dana was saying to him, Fox found himself thinking back to the events that lead to this conversation.

Maggie Scully's House: A Few Hours Ago

"Sooo,'Walter', did you and Maggie have a good dinner date?" Fox Mulder asked as he stood too close to Walter Skinner in front of the grill outside on the patio.

"We had a good time... Fox," Walter answered, making sure he remembered to call Mulder by his first name. Taking a step to the side, Walter did not like Fox standing so close to him but the younger man followed his steps.

"You must have had a good time,'Walter'... or else you wouldn't be here today,'Walter'..? I take it this is NOT your first time here at Maggie's house, am I right,'Walter'...?"

"Is that a problem with you... 'Fox'?!" Walter turned to eye the younger man.

"No, not a problem with me... 'Walter'," Fox kept his eyes fixed on the older man.

"Fox!!" Dana shouted out to him," Could you come over here and help me?"

"Sure... I'll catch you later... 'Walter'..." Fox gave a smack on Skinner's back and moved away before the older man could react.

Dana walked into the house with Fox following her through the back door that was recently fixed by Walter Skinner. Slamming it hard as he went inside, Fox purposely tested the older man's nerves.

"What the hell are you doing?" Dana demanded to know as she pulled Fox down to her level by his sweater.

"I'm not doing anything... I'm just talking to 'Walter', that's all. Can't I talk to 'Walter'? Is it a crime for me to talk to 'Walter'?!"

Dana shook her head," You are acting so childish, Fox! There is no reason for you to be treating Skinner this way..."

"It's 'Walter', Dana... remember? W-A-L-T-E-R,'Walter'... Get it right, you don't want Mom to get mad at you..."

"Fox, knock it off... or we'll go home if you can't handle... Walter being here..." Dana handed him the plates and napkins," Please? Be good..."

"I'm always good..." Fox muffled as he walked back outside pushing the back door rough by his foot.

Placing the plates and napkins near where Maggie Scully was at the table, she gave Fox a smile that he returned to her.

"Thank you, Fox..." Maggie said. She was quite aware of how Fox was treating Walter. Whatever Dana had told him inside the house, she hoped he would listen to her.

"Man, it's cold out here today. Who's bright idea was to cook out here, anyway...?" Fox wrapped his arms around his chest as his body moved with the shivering effect.

"Fox, I think it was nice of Walter to want to prepare lunch for us. The weather is beautiful," Maggie added.

"If you're a polar bear..." Fox turned away from her and watched Skinner turned over a steak," How come, you didn't tell Dana, that 'WALT-ER' was going to be here?" Fox turned back to her.

"Well, it was a last minute thing. Walter had arrived back from his meetings earlier than expected. It was his idea for me not to say anything. He wanted it to be a surprise..."

"Yeah, what a surprise!! One hell of a surprise..." Fox again glance at Skinner. Returning back to Maggie, Fox asked," Do you like him?"

Maggie smiled. The question had caused her to blush. It caused Fox to feel more jealous when he saw her cheeks reddened.

"Yes, I do. He is a very nice man. I do enjoy his company..."

"I see..." Fox turned again toward Skinner with a look of resentment growing on his face," I'm going inside for awhile... warm up a bit..."

Fox walked back to the house with his arms still crossed over his chest. The look of hate became clear as he passed Walter Skinner who did not notice the stare Fox was giving him.

With a good swing, Fox let the back door go with a bang as he walked back into the house.

"... What are you doing in here?" Dana asked as she walked into the den where Fox was laying on the couch watching television," Everyone wants to know where you are? Lunch is getting cold."

"You guys go ahead and eat without me, I'm not hungry..." Fox turned his body away, pouting.

Dana let out a huff," Will you stop acting like a baby and come outside with us!!"

"Who the hell are you to be calling me a 'baby'?!" Fox rose his body to sitting position.

"I'm NOT the one in here hiding from Walter Skinner, Fox! I'm NOT the one having a hard time dealing with the fact that MY MOTHER is seeing Walter Skinner!"

"You're having a hard time dealing with too, Dana. You just won't admit it that it's bothering you!!"

"DON'T turn this around on me!! At least I'm trying and NOT coping an attitude toward the man!!"

"I don't like him being here!! Why does he have to be here?!! I don't care if Mom likes him or not!! He shouldn't be here!! He shouldn't have fixed that fuckin' door!!! I'm supposed to do it!!! It's my job, not his!!"

Fox's face cringed with hurt as his mouth turned down with his bottom lip pouting out even further.

"... I'm suppose to be the man of house... not him..." Fox said in a whisper but Dana had heard him. She closed her eyes and shook her head.

"Why do you have to make things worse than what they are?! What right do you have to say who my mother can see, date or fix things in her home? And you being the man of the house... you are more like the Two-YEAR-OLD of The House!!!"

With that, Dana turned and walked away from Fox, leaving him with his mouth hanging.

"When you decide to grow up, Fox, come and join us for lunch!!" Dana shouted before leaving the room.

Sitting alone, a wave of emotions and thoughts swam inside of him. As angry and as jealous of Skinner that he was, Fox knew Dana was right.

He was acting childish, acting foolish and most of all scared.

He was scared to lose his place in the family.

Scared to be alone again and not to be loved.

Scared that Walter Skinner was more of a man than he was to where everyone would look up to him for support and love that Fox felt he was capable of giving.

How the hell was he to go outside now, knowing what an asshole he had been?

Letting out a sigh, Fox knew he had to face the music or walk right out the front door and never look back.

Stepping through the back door, this time being careful to close it right, Fox walked up cautiously to the table where Dana, her mother and Walter Skinner sat enjoying their lunch.

Standing with his hands in front of him, fidgeting, Fox bit on his bottom lip ready to say something when Walter Skinner spoke up.

"Sit down, Fox, your steak's getting cold..."

Fox's Apartment: A Few Days Later

Walking in together, Fox and Dana were shocked at the sight before them.

The apartment that had been Fox's home for more than 10 years now stood empty.

"I can't believe how huge this place looks without any of your stuff, Fox..." Dana walked into the living room.

Moving up to the window, Dana touched the glass plate where both she and Fox had in the past taped the letter 'X' across it. Hoping each time, there would be answers from the informants who would come from the shadows.

One time, someone shot at her when Scully came too close to the window and the bullet glazed the side of her head.

Dana looked toward where the couch had been and remembered the dead body that lied on the floor. Falsely identifying the body as Mulder's, she did it to protect them from the forces that tried to bring them down.

Remembering the Christmas morning, she spent with Mulder after the haunted house experience and the silly gift he gave her which she loved.

Looking again where the couch was. It was there, that she and Fox proclaimed their love for each other and where she performed oral sex on him for the first time.

Dana couldn't help but get teary eyes from all the things she remembered, both the good and the bad.

"Yeah, having a lot of junk makes any room looks smaller.," Fox commented.

Looking around, Fox had his own memories. Those before he met Dana and after. The many nights he spent alone and miserable. For a short time this was his and Diana Fowley's home. His life had been threatened many times in this apartment as well as the many hours he spent feeling sorry for himself.

He thought of the Christmas morning, Scully spent with him after they escaped the haunted house. The lovely gift she had given him made him regret the stupid gift he gave her.

Fox shivered when he saw the image of Dana lying on the floor covered in her own blood when a man tried to take her heart both from her body and from him.

He remembered the many times Scully would come over when he was sick or worried about his well being. She always caring about him, even when he felt the attention that was given to him was unnecessary.

Fox glanced over to where his couch use to be and remembered the words he spoke from the heart of his love for her Dana. Some hours later he woke to find her performing the best blow job he ever had.

So many memories now came to rest.

Letting out a sigh, they wrapped themselves in each other's arms.

"You know, I'm going to miss this place..." Dana said tearfully.

Fox rubbed her back, and looked around once more. He didn't want to stay too long.

"So am I..." He really meant it.

Taking Dana by the shoulders, Fox led her back to the front door.

With one final look, Fox Mulder closed the door to Apartment 42 for the last time.

Fox and Dana's Apartment

Fox kept expecting Dana to shout 'April's Fool!' to him as he lay on his well-loved leather couch.

As a surprise for him, Dana had the Lone Gunmen move his couch into the room Fox was to use as his home office in their apartment. Struggling to push the couch in, the guys were doing their best with Dana encouraging them on when Fox came home too early from his basketball game and caught them in the act.

With Fox's help, they managed to get the couch into the room without too much damage done to the door's frame.

"What do you think, Rat?" Fox called out to his kitten that was exploring the strange new thing in the room. There were many different smells on it but Fox's scent was the strongest, making Rat feel safe with it here. She leaped onto his stomach and hopped onto the back of the couch walking across it.

Dana entered the room with two glasses of iced tea in her hands. Smiling at Fox, she was glad to give the couch back to him.

Feeling sorry for him as he moped around for the loss of his leather couch, Dana had convinced the Gunmen to give it back to him. It wasn't really hard to persuade them. Dana was certain she could have them bug the President's bathroom for her if she just asked.

Sitting up to take the two glasses of iced tea away from her, Fox placed them down on the floor near the couch.

"Come here and lie down with me..." He pulled her toward him.

Resting on top of him, Fox wrapped himself around Dana kissing her. She was just too good for him. He would never feel he deserved her no what anyone would tell him.

As he felt Dana breathing against his body, Fox regretted they could not have turned the extra room into a nursery instead of his office.

If only things could have been different.

If only misfortunate hadn't caused Dana to lose their baby.

Fox never realized how much he wanted to be a father. Being a parent never crossed his mind, not even when he was married to Diana Fowley did the idea of them being parents ever came up. Too dedicated to their work to even think of starting a family turned out to be a blessing.

Maybe because of his own childhood, Fox never considered being a father. Perhaps the fear of passing on the abuse to the next generation was too strong in him subconsciously to even think of the possibilities.

Even when Dana had brought it up, he agreed to it only because he wanted to make her happy. With the chance of her having a baby through her own body, Fox could not resist her desire to try.

After the loss of the baby, Fox wanted it more than ever. Even though he had his doubts almost a year ago.

Dana's Apartment: A Few Months Ago

Sitting in the living room and not feeling tired at all, Fox flipped through Dana's family album. The many pictures of happy children were displayed in each page. Dana and her siblings were everything Fox wished he could have had.

Fox did love his sister Samantha, even when she was a pest and annoying brat. There were times that he did hate her.

When Fox was younger, Samantha made him feel like he lost his whole world when she came into his life.

His place in the family was changed forever.

Four-year-old Fox Mulder watched his mother with his new baby sister Samantha as she walked and talked to the infant.

Whispering to her newborn daughter, Teena Mulder sang into the child's ear. "You're my baby, my baby dearest..."

Though her voice was low, Fox heard everything. He was supposed to be her baby, not Samantha!! Fox ran up to his mother and grabbed her by her skirt.

"Mommy!! I'm baby, remember?!"

Looking down at her son, Teena shook her head at him. "No, Fox, Samantha is the baby, now."

"No!! I'm baby, not her!!!" Fox protested and pulled down hard on her skirt.

"No, Fox. You are not my baby. Samantha is. You are my little man now." Not realizing her words to be so cruel, Teena returned to rocking Samantha back to sleep.

The sudden change of names and feelings were bewildering to the young Fox. He wasn't his Mommy's baby anymore. That dumb Samantha took it away from him. He wasn't about to give it up without a fight.

"I'M BABY!!!" Fox screamed his disapproval that turned into a full-blown tantrum.

His crying had awakened Samantha, who own cries matched the same volume of Fox's own tears.

Teena Mulder gasped in total disbelief and sudden anger at her son. With one quick swat on his bottom, she ordered Fox out of the room with door closing behind him.

The rejection and punishment were too much for the little boy, who ran to the living room and flung himself onto the couch, crying.

Suddenly the idea of children and his place in Dana's heart caused Fox to leap off the couch and head toward the bedroom.

Entering the dark room, Fox crawled into bed beside her as the question pounded in his heart.

What good was it for them to have any babies if Dana wasn't going to love him anymore?

Gently shaking her to wake up, Fox felt as if he was being pushed back when another voice was to answer Dana.

"Fox... what's wrong...?" Dana turned the lights on.

"Dana, do you love your baby?" a small child asked her.

For a moment, she seemed to be taken back. The little voice asked again.

"Do you love your baby?"

The answer she gave him was reassuring, but he needed more as he reached for her.

"Really....?"

Again the answer was what he wanted to hear. He then asked the question that frightened him the most.

"Even when we have our babies, will you still love your baby...?"

Dana had answered him with her heart and opened her arms to him that left him to know that his place with her was safe no matter how many children they would have.

Bill Mulder returned home from another exhausting day. His place in the Project was taking its total on him. All he could think about was the drink he was going to have the moment he entered the house.

He walked into the living room to find his son Fox laying on the couch with his thumb in his mouth. Fox removed it the moment he saw his father.

Wanting some comfort, Fox turned his sad face to his father who noticed it right away. He looked back at his son in disgust.

Bill Mulder was not in the mood to listen to a four-year-old whine about anything to him. Why couldn't this brat go to his mother?

"Dad, Mommy said I'm not baby anymore!!" Fox pouted.

"Of course, you're not a baby anymore, Fox. It's about time you started acting your age and be a man. Now get off the couch! What did I tell you about putting your feet on it?!"

Getting off the couch, with the feeling of rejection once more, Fox gave his father the dirtiest look his young face could make. Bill Mulder did not miss it.

"Fox!! Get over here!!!"

Instead of listening to his father, Fox took off running with Bill Mulder right behind him.

"He hurt me so much..." The sudden memory caused Fox's body to shake.

Feeling her arms embracing him tighter, Fox felt Dana's words were guiding him. With each reassuring word he felt himself coming back to adulthood.

"... He'll never hurt you again..."

Breathing a sigh of relief, Fox felt himself returned once the child inside of him was now satisfied with his place in the world.

He closed his eyes and slept peacefully that night.

Present Time

Enjoying the feeling of being content, Fox decided just for the fun of it to ask Dana a question.

"Dana...?"

"What is it, Fox?"

"Do you love your man?"

"Yes..."

"Really...?"

"Yes, I do..."

"Even when I'm an old man, who puts both legs in one pant's leg and can't remember my grandchildren's names, will you still love your man...?"

"More than ever..."

The End...

Summary: During the Easter holiday, Dana remembers her sister, Melissa.

Dana Scully remembered when she was six years old she hated to wear dresses.

Every day, her mother would dress her in a lovely ruffled short sleeve dress with a skirt that had no end to it. White socks folded just right and black buckled shoes that shined so bright when the sunlight would hit them.

Dana hated them. No other girls were wearing these outfits. Not even her sister Melissa would be caught dead in them.

Dana's hair had to be curl just right, while Melissa's hair was allowed to flow free and unrestricted.

Dana wished she were Melissa.

Prayed every night she would wake up and find herself no longer Dana but her older sister who seemed to have all the freedom in the world.

Easter Sunday- St. John's Church

Leaving the church services, Dana Scully reviewed in her mind what today had planned for her and Fox. The family gathering was to be at her cousin Frank Scully's home this year. He did not live far from Georgetown, a relief for Dana who had no desire to do any long traveling after what she and Fox had been through earlier this month.

Dana wouldn't mind at all if they were not to go to the Easter gathering. Her heart wasn't in it, but she knew how much Fox was looking forward to it.

Making a point to come to Church early today, Dana had managed to beat the twice-year Catholics before all the seats were taken.

Within the last few years, Dana made the effort to return to the Church she had given up so early in her young adult life. She still believed in God but not the need to attend any services that Dana felt she could pray on her own. Yet, the calling had return to her and the need to be back. The Church walls had become home again to Dana.

Unless she and Fox were away on assignment, Dana attended Church every Sunday.

It was the same ritual for the last year since she and Fox have been together as lovers.

Dana would dress quietly not to disturb Fox who looked forward to sleeping in on Sunday. Just before she walked out of the room, he would call out from the bed," Say hi to God for me, Dana..." and that would be that.

Dana never condemned Fox for his disbelief in God. Only because she did not believe Fox when he said there was no God.

How could a man who believed in so many things as aliens, vampires, reincarnation and any conspiracy the Government had set up could go through life not believe in the Good Lord?

Somewhere inside of him, there still was the faith Fox lost long ago waiting to return to the surface of his heart and mind.

Though they were not raised in the same religion, God was God no matter how you chose to pray.

"Dana, it's good to see you," Father McCue took her hand," Saw your mother earlier today. I'm looking forward to meeting this fellow your mother has told me so much about..."

Dana smiled at the priest. The mentioning of her mother and Walter Skinner still had a foreign taste to it.

Dana wasn't use to it and neither was Fox, though she was better at hiding her true feelings than he was. At least, Fox now was trying to be more civil about it. Still, Dana would catch him making faces at Skinner's back whenever something would bother him. She didn't expect an overnight change on him. Fox's emotions were still in charge of his reactions.

"I take it I'll be seeing you at the family gathering, Father..." Dana had said.

"I haven't missed one, yet. I do hope that young fellow of yours will be there?" Father McCue had asked.

"He's looking forward to it, Father. Fox hasn't been to an Easter egg hunt in years. He's really excited..."

"Sound like you have a big kid on your hands, Dana," Father McCue laughed," I do hope to talk to both of you about your upcoming wedding... Dana, are you sure that you still want to be married on New Year's Eve?"

"Yes, Father, it's always been a dream for me..."

"Well... I do hope that the both of you will make time for me. I'll see you there, Dana. Good-bye..."

"Good-bye, Father..." With that Dana headed to her car, expecting not an easy time to get out of the parking lot, thanks to the twice-year church goers.

Fox and Dana's Apartment

Fox Mulder lay on his stomach as his kitten Rat slept on the back of his neck. Both were too comfortable to get up. Fox decided to stay where he was until Dana came home.

Having a great night sleep, Fox was looking forward to the Scully Easter party today. He hadn't been to one since the Easter before Samantha disappeared. He was eleven years old at the time.

Fox could remember the day so clear, seeing Samantha running with their cousins searching high and low for the colorful eggs.

Being eleven, Fox's mother felt he was too old to be Easter egg hunting. Still Fox planned to get involved by helping Sam look for them.

Whenever he would spot one, Fox would signal to Samantha by pointing to the direction of the egg sighting. His gestures were simple but Sam got them every time.

It would have worked out perfectly if his cousin Marty hadn't told on him to his mother about him helping Sam cheat on the Easter egg hunt.

'stupid Marty... 'Fox thought to himself. At least, he didn't have to see that part of his family again. Free of them for many years, Fox wouldn't want anything to do with them. He was happy to be part of the Scully clan.

Stretching his arms to the sides, Fox considered how fortunate he was to avoid any serious injuries on their last case. Never had he done so much running, jumping, ducking and not getting killed in such a long time. Not even when he was in the Antarctic to rescue Dana did his body take such a beating. It was amazing how well he had recovered.

"Rat, you're getting fat..." Fox moved his head bringing along the young cat's body.

No more than three months old, Rat was growing fast. Much larger than most kittens her age, Fox was certain they brought home a mountain lion instead of a regular old alley cat.

Though describing Rat as an old alley cat breed was not correct. The Siamese bloodline was strong in her. Save for her hazel eyes, Rat's coloring and body structure bared every feature of a purebred Siamese.

Hearing the front door opening, Fox let out a yawn and waited for Dana to come into the bedroom.

Relaxing on the couch, Dana decided not to wake Fox up. Not having to be at her cousin's house for another three hours, she didn't see any need to bother him right now. Dana wished they didn't have to go. If there were anyway to get out of it, she would take it in a minute.

Waiting for Dana to come into the room was taking too long. Fox was certain she was home. He wanted his morning kiss and roughhousing she would give to him every time he refused to get up.

He didn't hear any noises in the kitchen, no smell of breakfast being made.

It was Sunday.

He always got banana pancakes on Sunday.

He didn't smell those hot cake cooking.

"Dana!! Are you there?!!" Fox was tired of waiting.

"Yes, I am!!" Dana called from the living room.

"Why didn't you come and wake me up?!"

"Well, it doesn't look like I have to now!!"

"Dana!!!"

"WHAT?!!"

"Can't you come over here? Pleazz?"

"What for?!"

"I can't get Rat off my neck..."

"... And that's a problem?!"

"Danaaa!!"

No answer.

"Dana..?!"

Silence.

"Dana... Dana..?!"

Silence again.

"Dana, I'm sorry I farted so much last night!! You know what those hot dogs do to me!!"

No answer.

"Earth to Dana. Come in, Dana."

"Fox, SHUT UP!!!"

Walking into the living room, Fox stood in front of Dana wearing only his pajamas' bottoms, his hair going in all direction as he pulled on his ear lobe.

"What's wrong, honey?"

Looking up, Dana frowned at him.

"It's nothing... I was thinking about Melissa... that's all... I miss her, Fox... I really miss her..."

Dana Scully remembered watching her older sister Melissa dance carefree around their cousins. Her natural beauty was the pride of the family, something Dana believed she lacked.

No longer wearing dresses except for special occasion, Dana was a tomboy. Trying always to keep up with her brothers and no longer caring about dolls or playing house.

Dana was the shortest one of all the children near her age.

It was an unfortunate situation she would be tease about for the rest of her life. The many cruel names they would call her: Shorty, One Inch, and Munchkin. Not only by her cousins but her own brothers as well.

Dana's answer to them would always be with her fists. Pounding hard on them whenever they made fun of her. The blows would never lessen their teasing. Even as hard as she would hit them, the name-calling would increase.

Until one person spoke up, who always her rescuer, Melissa seemed to be able to command those around her. Even their brother Bill, Jr. would stop when Melissa would speak.

How Dana prayed one day she would be Melissa, and not be Dana Scully anymore.

Frank Scully's House

A sea of redheads flooded around Fox Mulder as he walked into the backyard of Cousin Frank's home.

Somewhere along the line, he lost Dana in the crowd. Being greeted by the many familiar faces, Fox still at times felt uncomfortable in such a large crowd of people, but it was feeling that was dying. He was much a part of the family than he would ever realize.

"Hey, it's Cousin Fox!!" Everyone would greet him.

"How is it going, Cousin Fox!!"

"Where is cousin Fox?! There you are... How about a hug?!"

"Can't miss you, big guy... You stand out of the crowd..."

It was true. Save for Maggie Scully, about four cousins and few who were married into the family, Fox's brunette hair could be spotted easily among the redheaded Scully clan.

Dana Scully managed to find her mother with Walter Skinner inside the house. It was hard to get her mother's attention as she was introducing Walter to each member of the family.

Only recently, Dana was able to talk to her mother about her relationship with Skinner.

"Dana, right now, I'm just enjoying his company. Where it would lead to... who knows? I'm having too much fun with Walter..."

Fun never seemed to be the word to describe Walter Skinner in Dana's eyes. Still if her mother was happy, Dana felt it was best to leave it at that.

Finally able to find a seat for himself, Fox sat near a few cousins who were discussing the baseball season among themselves. A conversation Fox wanted to enter into.

As the discussion went on, Fox suddenly felt a hand tapping his knee. Looking down, he found a three-year-old redhead with big blue eyes staring up at him.

"Hi, Ox..." She waved at him.

Fox smiled back at the little girl he remembered meeting a few times last year at other family gatherings. It wasn't until last Christmas the little girl showed a great interest in Fox Mulder and followed him around Maggie Scully's house.

"Hi, Nancy, how have you been?"

"OK, Ox... I have new kitty..." The little girl couldn't say 'Fox' right.

He was surprised she remembered him at all. It had been a few months since Christmas when Fox last seen this child.

"Really? I gotta a new kitty, too..." Fox shared with her. Silly as it was to mention anything about his kitten to an adult, it was safe to brag about his feline companion to the little girl.

"Really? What name? My kitty call 'Kitty'..." Nancy said proudly as she brought herself closer to Fox.

"My kitty is called 'Rat'..." Fox smiled at her. Redheads with big blue eyes now enchanted him. Fox had never been attracted to redheads before he met Dana, now whenever he saw one even this young he would think of his beloved.

The girl's face bared no resembles to Dana save for her red hair and blue eyes. Her whole face was covered with freckles, so easy to want to connect the dots on the child's face. Her smile was mischievous and charming.

Fox was unsure why this child had taken an interest in him.

Children had always made Fox uncomfortable. He never knew how to react to them or to their parents who would look at him expecting a response about their darlings from him. It was hard to fake it. Some kids were right down ugly.

Upon the mention of Rat's name, Nancy giggled at Fox. She lifted her arms and begged him to pick her up. Bringing her on his lap, Fox waited to see what this child wanted from him. All Nancy did, was rest her head on his chest and smiled.

Walter Skinner didn't believe he could remember anyone else's name as Maggie Scully walked him from relative to relative. He could not believe how large the Scully family was. Except for her own children, none of these people were blood relatives to Maggie. Family by marriage, yet, she was one of them no matter what.

Dana Scully watched two of her younger cousins talking quietly to themselves. How much they reminded her of herself and Melissa.

Several of Dana's older cousins had been trying hard to get her attention since she arrived to the party. The talk of the wedding they wanted to discuss with her, but Dana avoided their calls.

For reasons of her own, she had no desire to share her wedding dreams with them.

"... When I get married, I'm gonna have so many bridesmaids that they're going to need their own church to sit in..." Melissa Scully laughed as she and her younger sister Dana looked through a bridal magazine Melissa had brought home from a friend's house.

"I'm never getting married..." Dana announced. Seeing all those silly dresses in the magazine reminded Dana how much she hated wearing them.

"Oh, please, Dana, you're only eight, like you'll never get married. Everyone gets married..."

"Well, I won't, you'll see..."

"Well, you'll see, that one day, you are going to fall in love with a guy and wanna have lots of babies with him!!"

"YUCK!!" Dana made such a face that caused Melissa to laugh.

Dana caught sight of Fox holding a little girl on his lap. Her thoughts went to Emily, then to the baby she lost. Melissa was wrong on one part. She couldn't have lots of babies with the man she wanted to marry.

Without saying a word, Dana walked away from her cousins who were still trying to get her attention.

Fox wasn't quite sure on what to do. Nancy had fallen asleep on his lap. Looking at the cousins around him, he hoped one of them would help him out. They were too busy laughing to take notice of his pleading face.

Finally giving up, Fox carefully lifted himself and walked with Nancy in his arms back to the house. There had to be a room somewhere he could put this sleeping child down.

Maggie Scully noticed her daughter Dana rushing by. She had moved so quickly that Maggie was unsure if she had seen tears in Dana's eyes.

"Walter, I hope you don't mind, I'll be right back..." Maggie excused herself and followed behind Dana as best as she could.

"Uh... excuse me, ladies? Where can I lay her down?" Fox asked as he walked into the house with the sleeping child.

"Isn't that Rachel's little girl, Fox?" One of the cousins had asked.

"Yeah, yeah, she is, I guess... Where can I lay her down?" Fox asked again.

"Here, give her to me, Fox. I'll take care of her..." One of the cousins raised her arms taking the child from him.

"Thanks..." Fox was glad to be free of the little girl," Have any of you seen Dana?"

Dana had walked almost half a block when her mother finally reached her.

"Dana!! You will please slow down!! Where on earth are you going? The party is in the other direction..." Maggie then saw the tears in her daughter's eyes.

"I'm sorry, Mom. I just needed to get away for a while. I wish I hadn't come... but Fox wanted too so badly... I didn't want to..."

Dana's tears rushed from her as Maggie held her arms.

"I don't want to talk about the wedding... I don't want anyone to ask me about it!! I want them to leave me alone!!"

"Dana... you don't want to get married...?" Maggie suddenly feared the worst.

"NO!! That's not it!! I do want to get married!! I just want everyone to leave me alone about it!! I don't want to talk about it with anyone... except Melissa. We always talk about it..."

"... OK, Dana, let's say you do want to get married... how?" Melissa turned to her sister Dana, as they lay on the grass in their backyard.

"How what?!" Dana mocked her big sister. For being thirteen, Dana had lots of other ideas then who or how she was getting married.

"On how you want to get married..."

"Missy, I told you, I'm never getting married!!"

"You want to know how I'm getting married...?"

"How, Melissa..?!" Dana again mocked her sister.

"On New Year's Eve. Right at midnight, we will be husband and wife. A start of a New Year, a start of a new life..."

Dana's eyes and mouth were wide open. She thought of that being so romantic and it was. She could see it all with herself and whom she imagined she would marry. Midnight they would kiss.

"Wow!! Missy, that's so cool..."

"Do you like it?"

"Yeah... Hey, Missy... If you don't get married that way, I can I have it?"

"Come up with your own ideas, Dana..." Melissa laughed.

It was hard not to avoid it, but Fox Mulder ran right into Walter Skinner.

"Hi, Sir, getting along OK?" Fox managed not to crash into any of the Scully women who crossed in front of him.

"I'm doing fine, Mulder... Fox!!" Walter corrected himself, remembering what Maggie had asked of them.

"Mulder's fine..." Fox looked at him.

God, he was trying. It still bugged him like shit that Skinner was becoming a regular sight at Mother Scully's house.

Still, he promised to make an effort to be an adult about it, whatever being an adult meant.

"... Or Fox, pick your choice..."

"Why don't we go somewhere and talk... Fox?" Walter said to him over the loud laughter surrounding them.

Fox didn't want to talk at least not the talk he knew Skinner wanted to have with him. For almost a month he had been able to avoid it.

Even in the meeting, he and Scully had with Skinner concerning the last case, Mulder faked a sudden stomach pain to get out of what Skinner wanted to speak with him off the record.

"I'm sorry, Sir, but I will have to decline right now. I don't want to make your office an unpleasant sight... Excuse me!!"

Mulder grabbed his stomach and hurried out with Scully right behind him, faking her out as well.

When they returned home from the case they had completed, Fox was sore from straining himself that bed rest was needed for the next few days.

While resting in their bedroom, Fox heard Maggie's voice as Dana let her in. A smile came across his face but it soon crumbled when the other voice he heard belonged to Walter Skinner. Fox immediately closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep.

Hearing three sets of footsteps entering the room, Fox listened to them carefully.

"Fox...?" He heard Dana," He's asleep. He was awake a few minutes ago..."

"Let's leave him alone... Poor dear needs his rest..." Good old Mom.

Listening to them leave the room, Fox kept his eyes closed because the sound he heard only contained two sets of footsteps.

"Open your eyes, Mulder, I know you are faking it..." The voice of Walter Skinner called to him.

Fox never had a chance to respond when the strangest thing happened.

Feeling something land on his stomach, Fox let out a huff from the force that hit him causing him to open his eyes to a sight he would have never expected.

A three-month-old ball of fur known as Rat stood before Walter Skinner. Her back arched up, her fur fuzzed wildly. Growling and hissing at Skinner, the tiny thing was protecting Fox.

Fox looked at Rat, then looked at Skinner.

Skinner looked at Rat, then looked at Fox.

"I think she means business, Sir..." Fox smiled at him.

Letting out something that sounded like a sigh, Walter Skinner placed his hands on his hips, shaking his head at the kitten that continued to growl at him.

"You and I need to talk... soon..." With that Skinner left the bedroom.

Once he was gone, Fox brought Rat close to him and kissed her on the top of her head.

"Good girl!!" Fox praised her.

Dana and her mother walked for some time.

Dana's eyes wandered to the sight of the homes before her. They were beautiful houses to raise families in, something Dana was once again believed she would never know.

"Maybe that was my last chance..." Dana spoke.

"What do you mean, Dana...?" Her mother asked.

"To have a baby... Maybe that baby was my last hope..."

"Don't say that... don't ever say that. That baby was a miracle, a miracle that will happen again, Dana. You have to believe..."

"I want to believe... I don't know if I can trust my body anymore... One moment, I'm told I could never conceive... then the next... I still feel so lost..."

For a moment there was silence between them, as Maggie tightened her grip on Dana's arm.

"It's so strange... Fox and I... we don't talk about it... It's not like us not to find out why..."

Dana's eyes wandered back to the homes of the neighborhood.

"Maybe if we talked about it... it might have gone away... and never come back..."

Mother and daughter kept on walking.

Dana Scully remembered the day she came home from the hospital.

Her many weeks of her disappearance haunted her. There was no memory for her to hold onto.

Nothing, except for the lost of time.

"Dana, are you all right...?" Melissa turned to Dana, who shook in her sleep. Her sister's voice brought her back.

"Melissa...?"

"Hey... I'm right here," Melissa Scully smiled at her younger sister.

"What are you doing in my bed...?" Dana asked even as she hugged her sister tight.

"Thought you might like some company... I know I did... You should try to sleep, Dana..."

"I'm tired of sleeping. So tired of it... Melissa, I can't remember a thing. What happened to me..? I just..."

"Dana, it will come back in time. Don't worry yourself over it. It will return. Everything does..."

Grabbing hold of some beers, Fox Mulder and Walter Skinner found a place for them to talk away from the party.

It took a while to reach the spot after being stopped a few times by family members introducing themselves to Skinner.

Fox almost had a chance to escape but Walter grabbed him by the shoulder not losing contact with him.

Opening his beer, Walter took a drink from it before he brought his eyes to Fox.

"I know you don't approve of me dating Maggie..."

"No, I don't!!" Why lie? Fox knew he gave himself away some time ago," But I have been reminded that this isn't my life..." Fox brought his head down as he played with the beer bottle.

"... No, it isn't..." Walter took another drink," Still, you are a part of Maggie's life and I know she thinks very highly of you, Fox..."

With that remark, Fox brought his head up staring at Skinner.

"She's always telling me, how proud she is of you... how far you have come in your life... Something I am quite aware of..." Skinner took another drink," You're a pain in the ass, Mulder, but you're a good man. Even in your most arrogant, annoying, unbearable ways, you're a good man and a good son to her... something I would never take away from you..."

Fox looked at Walter again but moved his eyes away as his fingers continued to play with the beer bottle.

"I know our positions in the Bureau is always watched. The risk we each take in any of our relationships... I don't know where things will lead for Maggie and I... it could all end tomorrow... Either way, I would like us to become friends. I know it's hard to think of me that way... but I would like that, Fox... to be friends..."

Fox's eyes wandered around him. Not searching for anything in particular from the outside, what was inside drilled with one emotion.

"I would like that, too..." Fox finally answered.

Dana Scully remembered the day she wanted to kill her sister Melissa for telling the truth.

"... All right, Mulder... I understand, Mulder..." Dana hung up on him without saying good-bye, neither of them ever did.

Melissa Scully watched her sister talk on the phone, a wistful smile came across her face as Dana finished her phone call with Mulder.

"That man really loves you, Dana..." Melissa's smile continued.

"What?!!" Dana turned a shocking look at her sister," Mulder does NOT love me. He annoys me!!"

"Fox loves you... just as much as you do him..."

Dana's mouth opened. Her sister had a lot of nerve reading into things that were not there.

"It's Mulder, not Fox!!! And I DON'T love him!!!"

"Yeah... and the sun doesn't rise in the morning..."

"... I miss her too, Dana. A day does not go by, that I don't think of Melissa... or your father... I miss them both," Maggie hugged Dana from behind as they rested near a church.

Dana studied the structure of the church and wanted to go in. She pulled herself free of her mother's grip as she took a few steps forward. Turning back, Dana offered her hand to her mother as they entered the House of God.

A service was ending when they walked in. The room was quite empty, not like it was the morning where every seat was taken. Both women looked around the church that neither of them had ever been in before. So lovely it was, like so many churches were.

Sitting in the back row, they waited for Mass to end and for the people to leave when both women approached the altar. They walked to the side of it, where all the candles stood.

Standing before the candles that were burning, prayers for the dead and living, Dana made an offering before lighting the candles she wanted.

One for Melissa.

One for her father.

One for Emily.

One for her baby.

And one for the babies, she and Fox would have.

Maggie herself made an offering, and lit one candle for her family.

Together, mother and daughter prayed.

Trying to find Dana among the family, Fox was worried. No one in the house had seen her or Maggie Scully for some time.

Fox looked to one side as Walter Skinner searched the other.

Stepping out through the front door to see if their cars were still there, Fox catch sight of the two women in his life walking back to the house.

Letting out a sigh of relief and a bit annoyed that they left without telling anyone, Fox approached them.

"Where the hell have you two been?" Fox looked crossed at them.

"You shouldn't say 'hell', Fox..." Maggie patted his arm as she passed him to reenter the house.

Watching her mother walk away, Dana's expression seemed to be of peace. A relaxed feeling compared to how she was earlier.

"Are you all right, Dana?" Fox asked even as he sense the difference in her with his hand reaching for hers.

Dana looked up at him and a smile came across her face.

"Much better..."

Taking his hand, they walked back into her cousin's house.

The Easter egg hunt had started with every child from different ages taking part, none were to be discriminated.

Fox stood to the side with Dana along with other family members to watch the kids run and bump into each other as they searched for the colorful prizes.

Wanting to join in, Fox knew this time he was too old for hunting eggs. His heart told him differently as his eyes scanned the ground, mentally allowed him to find the eggs for himself.

He then felt a tap on his leg.

"Ox, you help me?" Blue-eyed Nancy asked as she held her empty basket before him. She wasn't able to find any eggs on her own.

Fox turned to Dana, smiling.

"What can I say, Redheads love me..."

Taking Nancy's hand, Fox led her to the eggs he found while watching the hunt.

Somewhere In The World.

The report stated the injuries Agent Scully had suffered during a case she and Agent Fox Mulder were investigating at the beginning of the year.

The injuries she had, caused her to have a miscarriage.

A miscarriage.

Agent Scully was pregnant.

No mention of the father on the medical report, Scully's partner, Fox Mulder had called for help when he found her injured near the suspect that was dead which was stated in the report filed by the local division. Also stated was Mulder's behavior at the hospital being unconventional.

A remark that was well worded and hidden carefully that Fowley had to learn the whole truth from the field agent who witnessed Mulder's actions.

"He kept blaming himself for her injuries, screaming like a manic... it took four of us to hold onto him when the doctor gave him a sedative..."

Despite his unorthodox behavior, Mulder himself remained silent on who fathered Scully's now lost child.

Her hands tightened around the report, Diana Fowley knew who the father was.

Placing the file in her desk drawer, it would be there if she needed it.

Afterlife: Timeless.

From a distant, the field of Life stood near but far for them. It would be some time before either of them would be allowed to cross into it.

A soul of a man walked in the field of Life, watching the two souls. He waved and gestured for them to come closer.

An invisible wall came between the dead and soon to be living, yet it did not deny them to communicate their words to each other.

Soon two other souls joined the soul of the man as the soul of the woman and child approached them.

Another soul stood afar in the field of Life, away from the others as the visitors came close. Unsure if he should join the other souls or not.

As the five souls looked upon each other, lives past, lives of the future had now crossed.

The soul of Melissa Scully spoke," I wish I could tell her about you... all of you... to ease her troubled heart..."

"You know you can't..." the soul of David Mulder spoke," One day, her heart will hurt no more..."

"It is almost your time..." the soul of Melissa Scully smiled at the soul of David Mulder.

"Yes, very soon..."

The soul of Aaron Mulder approached with the soul of Ashley Mulder near his side.

"Hello, Emily..." the soul of Ashley Mulder spoke to the soul of the child.

The soul of Emily Sims smiled upon the souls of her siblings. She was a shy soul as she hid behind the soul of Melissa Scully.

Turning away from the field of Life, the two souls continued their journey on the road that lied before them.

Disclaimer: The characters of the X-Files do not belong to me. They are the property of Chris Carter, 1013 Productions and Fox Broadcasting. No copyright infringement is intended.

Summary: Fox and Dana must deal with the return of two family members.

Sunday: Fox and Dana's Apartment

Dana Scully waved the shredded greeting card in front of Fox Mulder's face.

"Look at what your damn cat did to this CARD!!"

Taking what was left of the greeting card from Dana, Fox examined the torn corners that were still wet and the obvious claw marks across the face of the thing that had once been a Mother's Day card.

"How do you know if it was Rat?" Fox asked innocently.

"How do I know if it was Rat...?" Dana crossed her arms," You're so full of shit, Fox!!"

"Well, yeah, I haven't gone to the bathroom, yet... but how could you blame Rat? Look at her..."

Fox turned his head with Dana following to the armchair across the room. There sitting royally was four-month-old Rat, the look of elegance shined through her young body. She was indeed growing into a beautiful cat.

Dana, of course, wasn't buying it.

"You keep that fuckin' cat of yours in line, Fox... Don't think I don't know how to skin one!!"

Walking away angrily, Dana shouted back," Now I have to go and buy a new card!! That one was for your mother!!"

As soon as Dana was out of the room Fox patted his knee, signaling Rat to him. The kitten ran fast and nearly crashed her small face against his.

"Good girl..." Fox praised her quietly.

Greenwich, Connecticut

Teena Mulder sat alone in her room.

She missed her son Fox.

She missed other people, but most of all, her baby boy.

The events of last year troubled her.

His phone calls became less.

She was no longer a part of his life. She hadn't been in years.

She long to be back with him and to tell him again how much she loved him.

Reaching over to the table near her, Teena Mulder looked again at the number she had written on her notepad.

Several times, she tried to call but each time she would hang up before hitting the last number.

It was the month of May. It would soon be Mother's Day.

How she feared Fox would forget her completely this time.

Reaching for her phone, Teena Mulder once again dialed the number. This time she made sure she hit the last number to hear the other end start to ring.

"Scully residence. This is Margaret Scully speaking..."

"Hello, Mrs. Scully, my name is Teena Mulder... I'm Fox's mother..."

San Diego, California

William Scully, Jr. sat quietly in his living room.

Next weekend was Mother's Day.

He had made plans to visit his mother that weekend.

It was over a year since he had last seen her.

It was also the last time he had seen his baby sister, Dana when she slapped him across the face to protect the devil of a boyfriend of hers.

He learned sometime ago, his once beloved sister was to marry that 'sorry son of a bitch'.

Having a gun shoved up his ass and his brain blown out would have been more painless than when he heard the news from his mother some time ago.

He did his best to sound civil.

He had been advised to be civil.

He had heard the quote several times.

'Have your friends close, your enemies closer...'

Bill Scully, Jr. planned on doing that, no matter how much it was going to kill him.

Somewhere in the United States.

He didn't love her. She was there for his needs.

"You have to get rid of it..." Alex Kryeck looked down at the crying woman.

"No... I won't... It's murder..." The woman refused to look at him.

"It's murder to bring it into this world. There is no future for this child. I want you to get rid of it..."

"I won't..."

Standing over her, Alex Kryeck thought of killing the woman, his weapon close at hand.

Instead, he stepped away from her.

"I will not have this child's blood on my hands. When the future ends, know you only have yourself to blame..."

Stepping out of her life, he hoped for good.

Monday: FBI Headquarters

Agent Fox Mulder's eyes nearly popped out when Agent Dana Scully brought her whole body onto his lap.

"WHOA!!" He stared directly at her with their faces close together," What are you trying to do? Flatten me out?!"

"Thought that would wake you up... Spookie, there's something I need to talk to you about..."

"Good news? Bad news? Or is it in the middle?"

"You'll have to be the judge of that..."

"Well, do you think it's good or bad news...?"

"For me, I think it's both..."

"I'll go by that... So, what is it...?"

"My mother called when you were out... Your mother will be visiting this weekend and she'll be staying at my mother's home..."

"Sooo... what's the good news...?" Fox tried to joke.

"To me that was the good news... Now the bad news, my brother Bill and his family will also be visiting my mother this weekend..."

All of this was bad news to Fox Mulder.

Assisted Director Walter Skinner's Office

Walter Skinner signed his name for the hundredth time today.

There was much paperwork he needed to have completed before his work-day was over.

Looking at the financial forms Agent Fox Mulder submitted, Walter Skinner's mind could not escape the conversation he had with Mulder and Scully only a few days ago.

Entering the basement office, Walter Skinner viewed the room he had seen many times. Not much had changed since the X-Files was reassigned back to Agent Mulder and Agent Scully over a year ago.

Save for one thing that caught Skinner's eye right away. A large photograph of Mulder's killer kitten was pinned to the bulletin board along with photos of aliens, newspaper clips and any bizarre items Mulder would find.

Skinner had to laugh. That kitten of Mulder's was the strangest animal he had ever met. Twice already it had attacked him when he had gone over to the agents' apartment with Maggie Scully.

Sitting on the couch, Walter was listened to Fox as he made an offhand comment to the older man.

Walter answered him with his voice deadpan and rough. He didn't find Fox's joke funny at all.

Suddenly leaping onto the coffee table, Fox's damn kitten, Rat brought her whole body against Walter Skinner.

Like the first time, her body was arched and her fur fuzzed wildly. She growled and hissed at Skinner as her eyes blazed with fury for an animal so young.

Bringing her front paw up, Rat swung at Walter and gave him a bloody cut on his hand.

"SHIT!!" Walter Skinner shouted as he gripped his injured hand with his other, pulling his body away from the tiny force before him.

Fox grabbed the angry kitten as she again tried to draw blood from Skinner. Hissing and growling even as Fox locked her in the bedroom.

"Agent Scully, where is Agent Mulder...?" How easy it was for them to slip back into their working mode, Scully was much more comfortable in it as was Skinner.

"He'll be back in a moment, Sir... Is there anything I can do?"

"Well, I want to talk to both of you... it's about your private life..."

"What about our private lives...?" Fox Mulder entered the room.

"Close the door, Mulder..." Skinner turned to face him.

Doing as he was requested, Mulder closed the door and locked it. He came close to Skinner with his hands resting on his waist.

"What is it you want to talk about with us, Sir...?" Mulder was getting defensive.

"It is about your upcoming marriage... You are aware that when the Bureau learns of it, there is no guarantee that you and Agent Scully will continue to work together in the X-Files..."

"We are aware of it... and I'm not worried about it..." Mulder responded.

"You should... once they learn..."

"They already know... and I'm not going to worry about it..."

Mulder walked passed him to reach his desk.

"Sir, they have known this from day one that Dana and I would be more than just working partners. It is as if our whole lives had been orchestrated for this moment. If so, it's the only thing I would be grateful for..."

Leaning over to take Scully's hand, Fox Mulder looked at her with such love in his eyes that Skinner found himself envies of.

"If one of us is removed from the X-Files, it doesn't stop anything. If they shut us down again, it will stop nothing. If they try again to take Dana away from me... it won't stop me from finding her... Not even our deaths would end anything... they know that. My advice to you, Sir, is not to worry about it..."

Fox and Dana's Apartment

"Why didn't she call me, Dana...?" Fox asked as he pulled her closer to him," I've called her a few times in the last few months... never once did she call me back... Why...?"

"I don't know, Fox... your mother... I can't speak for her. All I can tell you is that I know my mother had been trying to reach her... She wants your mother to be a part of the wedding..."

"Did Mom ever bother to ask how I felt about it? I don't know if I want my mother around... All she ever does is hurt me..."

"Maybe, Fox, she's tired of hurting you... From what my mother would tell me... your mother has many regrets..."

"She tells Mom all of this but not to me..? I'm the one who should be hearing this..."

"Maybe, you will... She's not the only person who's going to be there..."

"Bill... Talk about two waking nightmares... How the fuck are we going to handle this..? It's enough to have to see one of them, but both of them at the same time?! If there is a God, he has one sick sense of humor..."

"I want to see Bill but I'm afraid... I don't want him to hurt you and I don't want your mother to hurt you as well... but we both have to stop living in these fears, Fox. We can do it together..."

"The last time we weren't there for each other... but that couldn't be helped... Why don't we just forget about it and go to Utah and investigate that case I told you about?"

"The one you said would be a waste of our time?"

"It won't be now..."

"Fox... Do you want to see your mother?"

Letting out a sigh, Fox Mulder studied the ceiling above them.

"Yes, I do... but I'm afraid, too... I don't want to be hurt again."

"I can't promise you that she won't but I will be there for you."

"You won't leave my side...?"

"Never... as long as you stay with me..."

"Always..."

A sudden movement caught both their attention. Rat was repositioning herself between her two giants, taking in their warmth.

"Maybe we should take Rat with us... She's more dangerous than any weapon in the world..." Dana laughed.

Maggie Scully's Home

As hard as she tried not to think about it, Maggie Scully worried about the coming weekend.

Her two extra rooms needed to be straightened and cleaned. Thanks to her friend Gladys, Maggie would not have to do it alone.

Teena Mulder was expected on Friday morning with Bill and his family arriving on Friday evening.

Maggie could only pray that no wars would break out in her household.

Remembering how thrilled she was to hear from Bill about a week ago, when he called to tell her that he would be visiting the area and wanted to see her. By the end of the phone call, not only was Bill coming so was Tara and her grandson, Matthew. It was only for the weekend, but it was more than Maggie could hope for.

She had kept in contact with Bill even after the terrible fight that he and Dana had in her home a year ago. Bill never expressed any anger at his mother for asking him to leave.

Tension between Bill and Dana was still there. Though Dana claimed she tried to call Bill and make peace with him. He would hang up the phone on her every time, something Bill had denied to his mother.

"I miss Dana, Mom... I can't help it if she doesn't want anything to do with me..." Bill told his mother.

Maggie wasn't pleased about the lying. She knew Bill was still angry about Fox.

Maggie had been so excited about Dana and Fox's engagement that when Bill called her a few days after Dana's birthday, she told him the news. His voice was calm and not giving any clues to his likes or dislikes of what was told to him.

Even when she shared the details of her new friendship with Walter Skinner, Bill's response was not as Maggie expected. He seemed interested in meeting Walter the weekend he was to visit.

The upcoming wedding brought thoughts of Fox's mother to Maggie. It wasn't right that the woman who gave birth to Fox would not be included in the plans for her son's wedding.

Against her daughter's advise, Maggie left several messages to Mrs. Mulder asking her to give her a call. Maggie hoped to make the reunion between mother and son a surprise.

"Mom, it is NOT a good idea surprising her on Fox... You're just asking for trouble..." Dana had warned.

"All right, all right... I have left a few messages with her answering service. If she called me back, I will let you and Fox know about it... agreed?"

"All right... just don't make any plans without us!"

Maggie had almost given up hope to ever hear from Mrs. Mulder when she received the phone call last night.

"Scully residence. This is Margaret Scully speaking..."

"Hello, Mrs. Scully, my name is Teena Mulder, I'm Fox's mother... I do hope I haven't called at a bad time...?"

"No... no, you haven't. It's so good to finally be able to speak with you, Mrs. Mulder... I am Dana Scully's mother, Fox's partner at the FBI..."

"Yes, I do remember you mentioning it in your messages... I'm sorry I have not return your calls sooner, Mrs. Scully..."

"Please call me Maggie... I don't know if you are aware of this, Mrs. Mulder, but our children are engaged to be married next January..."

For a moment there was silence on the other end before Teena Mulder spoke," Married..? I... I wasn't aware... no one ever... oh, my God!! I didn't even know he was seeing someone..."

Maggie Scully felt helpless as she listened to Fox's mother cry on the other end of the line.

"What a horrible person I am... my son... I didn't even know... I didn't know..." Teena Mulder fell into tears again. Her words were not understandable but Maggie remained on the line trying to be supportive.

" Mrs. Mulder, it's all right... please it will be all right..."

"No... it's not!! How horrible I have been!! My poor baby!! The things I have done to him!! I don't deserve to have such a wonderful boy... I couldn't... I just couldn't... I have done so wrong... blaming him for things that were not his fault... pushing him away... the things I told him... I didn't mean to hurt him!!"

"You're right, Mrs. Mulder... you are horrible to him..."

"What...?" Teena Mulder hadn't expected such a remark. Despite its truth, she certainly wasn't expecting to hear it from a total stranger.

"What you and your husband did to Fox... is unforgivable, but the Good Lord said that all things can be forgiven, and I know in Fox's heart he would want more than anything to forgive his parents and have their love... something you two were unable to give to him..."

"That's not true... I do love my son... I did things to protect him..."

"All you did was hurt this child!! There isn't a time my heart does not feel for him when I know what he truly wants... his mother's love with no strings attached... Mrs. Mulder, can you love your son... without it costing him so much...?"

"I... I don't know why I'm listening to you? Why do you feel you have the right to say these things to me? I don't even know you!!"

" Mrs. Mulder... Can you love your son? Just love your son without it costing him a thing...?"

There was silence on the other end again, Maggie could hear Mrs. Mulder breathing.

" Mrs. Mulder... you and I were almost grandmothers... A few months ago, my Dana... had miscarriage by an unfortunate accident. The doctors told her once she could never have any children. That lost baby proved them wrong and I know Dana will have another baby... The Good Lord has shown us that not everything is solid not even the earth... it can be chip away and be reformed... it has for my Dana... Mrs. Mulder, can you just love your son... without it costing him a thing...?"

"Yes... I can..."

Speaking to Mrs. Mulder was difficult for Maggie. Watching the pain Fox suffered through this woman and her deceased husband had caused Maggie to feel a great sense of distaste for her. Yet, a child, no matter what age, still needed their mother.

Maggie felt there was so much she could do for Fox. Her love for him was endless. She felt it was only right for him to still have his real mother in his life.

Maggie had to admit, she was shocked at herself when she invited Mrs. Mulder to stay at her home for the Mother's Day weekend. Knowing Bill and his family were coming, didn't stop Maggie from asking. What was more shocking was that Teena Mulder had accepted.

When Maggie told Dana of her weekend guests, Dana's reaction was not surprising.

"Oh, God, Mom... what were you thinking?! Both Bill and Mrs. Mulder here for the weekend?! What do you want to do? Start World War III?!"

"Dana, it just happened! The woman called me upset... so filled with regret... I just didn't think she should be alone on Mother's Day..."

"Mom, you know Fox is not going to take this well!! It's enough that Bill is going to be at your home this weekend!! I'm having enough trouble with that as well!!"

"Dana, I'm not stopping Bill from visiting no matter what you are feeling. It will not stop me from seeing my son!!"

"That's not it, Mom!! I don't want him to hurt Fox!! I will not put up with that!! If he starts anything..."

"None of that will happen... I won't allow it. No one is going to hurt Fox or you... It's time you and your brother made peace, Dana... This hatred between the two of you must stop..."

"I don't hate Bill, Mom... I never did... I just don't want Fox to be hurt... I'm tired of Bill blaming him for everything..."

"I know, Dana... it's not going to be easy for any of us. I didn't mean to bring on so much this weekend... I want Fox to be here... but, I will understand if he doesn't want to come..."

"I'll talk with him, Mom... but it's so much... And his mother!! Oh, God... I don't know if I can look at that woman civil..."

"Dana, I thought you always wanted to get to know his mother....?"

"I thought so once, too... but what Fox has been through this past year... All I want to do is spit in that woman's face..."

Before going to bed, Maggie said her evening prayers to give each of them the strength to survive coming weekend.

Tuesday: FBI Headquarters- Mulder's Office

"Mom, I need to know why you did it?" Fox Mulder asked over the telephone. Now alone in the office, he waited until Scully left before making his call to Mother Scully.

"Did what, Fox? Why don't you tell me what I have done?"

"Why did you call her?! What made you think I want anything to do with her?!! She hates me!! Why do you have to make me suffer?!!"

"I am not making you suffer, Fox. There is no suffering here. Your mother doesn't hate you... She doesn't know how to show you love the way you deserve it..."

"You didn't answer my question, Mom... Why did you call her? Why do you think she needs to be involved in my life with Dana..? She couldn't bring herself to be part of my life before all of this!! It's just going to be the same thing!! She is going to hurt me, that's all she knows how to do!!"

"Do you know what you are going to do, Fox?"

"What?!"

"You're NOT going to let her hurt you... You have the power to stop it. Walk away from it when she tries to hurt you... then go back when she stops and she will stop, Fox..."

"I was stopping her, but not letting her in my LIFE!!"

"Fox, you listen to me... That is not how problems are solved, you of all people should know this... Your mother misses you. She now knows what terrible things she has done to you. I know it's difficult to forgive a person who caused you so much pain... but, Sweetie, I know in your heart, you want to forgive your mother... I know you do. She wants another chance, Fox... Can you find it in your heart to give her that... just once more...?"

"I... I do want to forgive her, Mom... but she hurt me so much... it's hard not to forget that..."

"I know, Baby... but you are not going to be alone. We'll be there for you, to support you... Remember, you have to accept your mother for who she is... and not what you wish she could be..."

"I know, Mom... I always wished she was more like you..."

"You will always have me, Fox..."

Wednesday: Early Morning - Fox and Dana's Apartment

Dana Scully woke from a nightmare.

Gripping Fox's arm that was wrapped around her, Dana quickly checked his pulse.

He was alive.

Bringing his hand closer to her face, Dana's eyes remained wide opened.

She had dreamed that her brother Bill shot Fox to death by shooting the bullet through her.

FBI Headquarters: Mulder's Office

Dana Scully busied herself with the filing she had allowed to back up. She hoped only to spend a few hours on the task.

Fox Mulder sat at his desk, reviewing several cases he piled up next to him.

Without looking, Mulder's elbow pushed against the pile of cases knocking them down with a bang!

Peering to the side where the cases had dropped, Mulder cursed to himself when he looked up to see Scully standing at attention with her weapon in her hands pointing at the direction of the door.

"What the hell are you doing, Dana?" Mulder questioned her," I just dropped the cases on the floor..."

Lowering her weapon, Scully's memory of the nightmare she had remained fresh in her mind. Her face cracked as the fear consumed her.

Fox and Dana's Apartment

"Maybe I'm making it a bigger deal then it will be, Fox..." Dana spoke to him as they sat in the darkest of the living room," Making people into monsters that aren't there... I don't want the monsters to eat you up..."

"Well, if they do, I'm sure I'll give them indigestion..." Fox joked as he brushed Dana's hair from her eyes," I'm afraid, too, Dana... Not of the people more from the antici...pation..." Fox did a lame impersonation of Dr. Frank-N-Furter as he stretched the last word out.

"Who the hell was that...?"

"Gee, Dana, did you ever see the 'Rocky Horror Picture Show'?"

"No..."

"No..? I'll have to rent that next time..."

"Is it dirty...?"

"Well, it got guys running around in high heels and nylons..."

"Sounds like a lot of fun..."

"Yeah... well, anyway...like I said, it not them I'm afraid of... My mom... I don't know? We'll have seen how that one goes, as for your brother Bill... He's just a pimple on my ass..."

Fox lifted his butt and gave it a snap with his fingers, causing Dana to laugh.

"Don't worry about him, Dana... I can handle your brother if he starts anything. Remember I once slain a vampire..."

"He wasn't a vampire..."

"Ronnie Strickland was a vampire!!"

"Are we going to start that old argument again...?"

"Not as long as any buckteeth sheriff comes around..."

"He didn't have buckteeth..."

"Yes, he did..."

"No, he didn't..."

"Biggest buckteeth in the world, make any beaver jealous..."

Thursday: FBI Headquarters- Mulder's Office

"Scully... I was thinking about getting my mom a gift... What do you think?" Mulder stared at Scully from his desk as he leaned his chair over.

"I think that's a great idea, Mulder... Any ideas on what you would like to get her?" Scully spoke from the computer.

"I remember she use to collect teacups, not a big collection but she really loved the ones with floral patterns on them... Maybe I could find one of those for her...?"

"Hmm... I think I know the store we could go to in the mall. We could go there after work..."

"How about right now?"

"Now?!" Scully looked at the time on her watch, it was a little after ten o'clock in the morning, and the mall was just opening.

"Sure... we're entitled to a lunch hour... Let's go!!" Mulder stood up and grabbed his treach coat.

Fox and Dana's Apartment

Watching Dana wrapped the gift he bought for his mother, Fox held onto Rat who had a great interest in the paper Dana was using.

"Do you think she'll like it, Dana?" Fox asked her for the hundredth time.

Being patient with him, Dana gave him the same answer as before.

"Of course, she will... It's beautiful and most of all, it's from you..."

Friday: The Airport.

For a moment she hesitated her reaction but a smile came upon her face as she absorbed sight of her only son.

They walked toward each other as if the lost time between them never existed.

Fox engulfed his mother with a hug. Hanging on tight, he welcomed back the feeling of her embrace.

Teena Mulder had forgotten how wonderful it was to have him so close. The many times he had shown her such affection made her regret the many times she would push him away, no longer having that desire but to hold him just as tight.

Giving her a kiss on the forehead before pulling away, mother and son took in each other. Seeing what changes had occurred within the last year.

Teena noticed Fox's face shined, no longer bearing a dark and moody expression.

Fox saw in his mother, the exhaustion of time and guilt heavy on her face, yet, the sparkle of love was still there.

"Fox... can you forgive me? For everything I have done to you... to your father and Samantha...?"

"Of course, I can... I already have..."

Watching from a distance, Dana Scully waited for them, allowing Fox and his mother to have their time together.

A smile escaped her as she saw them embrace. It would not be easy for the two of them. Dana knew Fox would try to have a relationship with his mother, to fight the urge not to fall back into old patterns that had governed their relationship for so long. It would take time for old wounds to heal.

Yet, it was a start and Dana could only pray for everything to work out for all of them.

Fox and Dana's Apartment

The one thing that shocked Teena Mulder wasn't the fact that her son and his fiancee were living together out of wedlock but there was an animal living inside their apartment with them!

Teena Mulder hated to see any creature inside the home. It wasn't their place to live where people did.

It wasn't clean or proper.

A kitten in the home! Hadn't she taught Fox better?!

What made it worse was that filthy creature would not stop staring at her.

Every step she took the horrible creature would follow her.

The most disturbing thing was the way it would stay near Fox.

When Teena would get too close to her son, the filthy creature would put itself between them. It did nothing, but stare at her.

"Fox, must this 'ANIMAL' be in the room with us?!" Teena gave him a stern look then stared back at the kitten, who suddenly started growling at her.

Seeing Rat's reaction toward his mother made Fox decided to put his kitten in the bedroom. He had to admit it was fun to watch Rat stared down his mother. The kitten obviously didn't trust her.

Not wanting to start any fights, Fox took Rat in one hand and brought her up to his face kissing the top of the kitten's head. He did not see his mother's reaction when he expressed his love for his tiny protector.

Gasping at what her son just did, Teena Mulder held her tongue.

How could Fox have forgotten everything she had told him about the many diseases animals carried? The many times she made him wash his hands when he came from visiting that awful woman next door with all those dirty cats as well as the spankings she would give him for disobeying her.

Finally Teena had to give up when Fox started taking his sister with him. Her husband Bill told her to leave them alone since Samantha was enjoying herself over there with those stupid cats.

"Would you like me to get you some more coffee, Mrs. Mulder?" Dana had asked as soon as Fox walked out of the room.

Dana was feeling uncomfortable around Mrs. Mulder. They both were treating each other polite, but Dana could tell Fox's mother didn't like her. It must have been the 'Mother/Son' thing Dana had heard about, but never experience in any of the other relationships she had been in.

'No woman would ever be good enough for my son' look, Dana could swear Mrs. Mulder was giving to her.

Where Dana's mother had welcomed Fox with open arms, his mother kept them shut tight away from Dana.

This was testing Dana's own willingness to be tolerant of the woman.

Teena Mulder wasn't sure what to think of Dana Scully. She certainly wasn't the girl Teena imagined Fox would ever marry, not like that Diana... whatever-her-name-was he was married to for awhile.

Diana seemed like the right girl for Fox, though Teena would have never admitted at the time. They were the right height, right hair color and the right religion, at least Teena was certain of that.

How this Irish Catholic girl managed to weave Fox into her web was beyond Teena Mulder. Having met Dana Scully a few times with the stories she would hear about this young woman who had stolen her son's heart, Teena doubt it that she would ever like Dana Scully.

Still, if it wasn't for the girl's mother, Teena would not be here with her son. Mrs. Scully sounded like a wonderful person, someone Teena hoped to be friends with. After all, Teena did have some Catholic friends. What was the harm having one more and one for a daughter-in-law..?

Teena Mulder shook her head, it was something she was going to have to get use to.

Maggie Scully's Home

Pulling up to his mother's house, Bill Scully, Jr. and his family let out a hearty cheer.

"See, Matt!! There's Grandma's house!!" Bill called out to his son.

"Yah!!" The two-year-old blond boy shouted," Granma house!!"

Smiling at his son, Bill then brought the smile to his wife Tara but his smile hid many things.

It didn't help when he saw another car in his mother's driveway and knew whom it belonged to, caused his smile to tighten harder.

Seeing the car pull up to the driveway, Maggie Scully leaped to her feet," They're here!!"

Fox turned to the window to see the rental car pull up next to Dana's car.

"Ready...?" Fox asked Dana.

Her only answer was to grip his hand tight.

The Next Day: Saturday- Fox and Dana's Apartment

There was nothing more welcoming than to be at home, Fox felt as he gave his teeth a good washing with his toothbrush.

He imagined himself washing the foul words he had let loose at Mother Scully's house this afternoon.

Remembering to rinse out his mouth, Fox stared down at his hands which were still red and aching from the action he had caused. As soon as they arrived home, Dana placed a pack of ice on his hands to bring down any swelling.

"Fuck..." Fox placed his toothbrush back in its right place before shutting off the lights in the bathroom.

When he walked into the bedroom, he found Dana laying in bed with Rat resting on her chest.

For a while, the kitten was able to get Dana to play with her, but soon stopped. Perhaps sensing Dana's unhappiness, Rat curled up close to her and fell asleep.

Dana remained silent as Fox returned to the room. Before getting into bed, he walked over to her side and bent down to caress her hair.

"Are you all right, love...?"

"I'm fine, Fox..."

"You're not fine, Dana..." Fox shook his head.

"Of course, I'm not fine!! How could anyone be fine after what had happened?! I hate him!!! I don't want to see him ever again!!!"

Unable to contain her tears, Dana was once more overwelmed by her emotions as she brought herself closer to Fox.

The Day Before: Friday- Maggie Scully's House

Teena Mulder once again marveled at the photograph of Fox and Dana when they were children embracing each other as it sat proudly on the mantle of Maggie Scully's home.

Fox had shown his mother the other photographs of him and Dana earlier in the day. The same photograph of them embracing also sat on the mantle at their apartment.

It was so hard to believe that such an event occurred between them. Life had brought them together, not once but twice.

Teena was sorry she could not remember the Fourth of July in 1965. She had gone to so many functions with her husband Bill that all of them blended in together.

Seeing the photograph again reminded Teena of the photo albums she brought with her to show to Dana and her mother.

Dana couldn't hide her excitement when Mrs. Mulder handed her one of the albums.

"That one has all of Fox's baby pictures, Dana..." She informed her.

"Let me see it first, Dana..." Fox tried to take it away from her.

Not having seen the photo albums in such a long time, Fox wanted to be sure there wasn't anything embarrassing in it but Dana took off before he could take it away from her.

"Oh, my God, Fox!! You don't have any hair!!" Dana stared at him with surprise.

So use to him having a mane of brownish hair on top, the sight of a baldheaded infant who was Fox was shocking, but adorable.

"Oh, Fox, you were so cute... Look at your button nose..."

"Yeah, makes you wonder what happened..." He tried to move in but Dana again pulled away from him.

"Come on... let me look, too..."

"Oh, Fox, look at you... you were such a beautiful baby..."

Dana's mind wandered. She imagined what it would be like to hold a baby who would look so much like his father... with brownish hair on top.

Their mothers shared one of the albums as Teena described proudly each picture of Fox to Maggie.

Fox found himself bouncing between them trying hard to catch anything that would be embarrassing for him. Just about every photograph was.

It was then that Maggie heard a car pull up into her driveway.

"They're here!!" Maggie leaped to her feet as she moved to the front door.

Looking out the window, Fox felt himself on guard. Ready to do battle against Dana's brother, if it came to that. Reaching for his beloved, Fox held her hand tight when Maggie opened the front door to greet her oldest boy.

Dana felt as if she was revisiting the past when her brother Bill came through the door, lifting their mother into his arms swinging her.

"Mom!! It's so great to see you!!"

"Bill!! Put me down!! Tara!! Oh, my goodness!! Matthew!! Look how big you are, Sweetie... You know Grandma...?"

Dana eyed her nephew and studied the young boy's face. The last time Dana had seen this child was last year. It wasn't even much of a visit since Dana didn't say hello to any of them before Bill started yelling at her.

Fox came closer to Dana, ready to protect her. He wasn't concerned about himself.

He never was afraid of Bill Scully, Jr.

Considering Bill to be no more than a loud mouth than a fighter, it wouldn't take much for Fox to wipe this guy across the floor.

For a moment, Fox completely forgotten his mother until her movement caught his eye.

Giving her a reassuring smile, Fox did let his mother know before they came over to Mother Scully's house that there was tension between him and Dana's brother.

"Why doesn't he like you, Fox? What did you do?"

"Well... he feels that I'm responsible for the many tragedies in his family... When Dana had cancer... His family not talking to him..."

As Fox listened to himself, he could never blame Bill for the feelings he had for him. No matter how hard he tried, Fox still felt it was his fault for the many crises that occurred in Dana's family.

"What do you mean Dana had cancer...?" His mother asked.

"Well, that's a story in itself..." Fox turned when he heard Dana coming back into the living room," I hope you don't mind... I rather not talk about it now..."

After all the greetings, Bill Scully, Jr. walked into the living room.

His expressionless face and tense body brought Fox to feel more rigid with his hands curled into a fist rested at his sides.

"Dana... it's so good to see you... I missed you so much..." Bill hugged his sister.

Though they all sat together in the living room, part of the evening was divided into two camps. Tara and Maggie were struggling to keep the conversation going among of them, and not to touch on any sensitive subjects.

It took sometime for Dana to relax around her brother but she was still cautious, expecting something to happen. The hug Bill gave her felt so false. Not at all like the hugs he had given to her before in the past. He didn't feel like her brother anymore.

Fox sat between Dana and his mother. He just couldn't bring himself to relax. Feeling the need to not only protect Dana, but his mother and Mother Scully as well.

Maggie was extremely upset with Fox and Dana. Neither of them were willing to give Bill a chance. They talked pleasantly to Tara and were charmed by Matthew, but very few words were exchanged between them and Bill.

Teena Mulder wondered why she was here. She was so happy to be with her son and found Maggie Scully to be a wonderful person who she enjoyed talking with.

Yet, Maggie's son brought back unpleasant memories of the men, she and her husband Bill knew.

Bill Scully, Jr. was trying. Each time he wanted to say something but held his tongue in place. He wanted to rattle Mulder into a fight. Having not only to say hello to the 'sorry son of a bitch' was difficult, but having to shake his hand as well. Bill couldn't get to the bathroom quick enough to wash his hand.

He was certain that Mulder had given him a hard squeeze when they shook hands as a silent challenge to him.

Bill was sure of it!

Motherfucker didn't know who he was dealing with.

What finally broke the ice was the arrival of Walter Skinner.

Maggie had insisted to Walter that he be there at her home tonight. From what she had described of the situation, he could be there if any trouble was to occur.

Walter felt as if he had entered into a smoking room. The tension was so thick that only his time in Vietnam was worse than what he walked into.

His introduction to Maggie's son reminded him of how Mulder had behaved that Saturday in March. Yet, Walter knew Fox was a better person than Maggie's son was. It was a gut instinct that brought on this impression.

"So... you're Dana and... Mulder's boss, huh?! Interesting... I take it, things are easier for them now that you're dating my mother...?" Bill snorted.

"I don't play favorites..." Skinner answered.

Trying to get Maggie's attention, Fox called out," Mom...?" Then suddenly remembered his own mother.

Looking toward her direction, Fox did tell his mother he called Maggie Scully,'Mom' and always would. Her hurt look was quite obvious, feeling that her absence had caused Fox to replace her.

Reassuring his mother as he kissed her on the forehead, Fox told her," You're Mom number One..."

Seeing that his mother did not hear him, Fox called again to Maggie," Mom, do you need any help?"

"No, everything is fine, Fox... Could you ask Dana to come over here for a moment...?" Maggie asked.

Dana stood near Skinner as he was speaking with her brother. It seemed easier to speak with Bill if there was another person in the conversation.

"Dana, I'm sorry... but your mom wants to see you..." Fox pulled on her sleeve to get her attention.

Dana turned to see her mother walking into the kitchen.

"Ok... Thanks, Spookie..."

Fox gave her a look for calling him that name in front of other people. Skinner gave a smile but Bill's face was irritated by Mulder's interruption.

Wanting to check on his mother, Fox was pulled into the conversation by Bill Scully, who grabbed him by the shoulder before he could leave. It was hard for Fox not to pull himself free of Bill's grip but feeling any aggressive move on his part could give Bill an opportunity to start a fight.

"Need your opinion on this,'spooky'..." Bill let go of Fox's shoulder as he sneered at him.

"The name is 'Mulder' to you..." Fox was about to get into Bill's face until Skinner pushed him away with the back of his hand.

"Listen, Fox... why don't you go and check on the ladies...?"

With a chance to leave, Fox walked away. Glad to have Skinner there to intervene or his fist would have been in Bill's face.

Fox was going to have to tell Dana not to call him 'spookie' ever again in public.

Entering the kitchen, Dana noticed her mother banging the silverware on the counter. Her lips were curled down as her eyebrows were pressed against each other in a frown.

"I don't know what you and Fox think you're doing... but being so unfriendly to Bill... I don't know why you two bothered to come?!!" Maggie refused to look at Dana," Fox doesn't seem to be having any trouble with his mother... and she was the one who hurt him the most..."

"Mom, comparing Bill to Mrs. Mulder, those are two different situations..."

"Really...?" Maggie finally turned to Dana," Not talking or caring about a family member... is wrong no matter what!! You and Fox both should grow up!!"

"Mom, How can I explain how difficult it is for me to trust Bill when I can still see the anger in him. It won't take much for him to explode... and as for Mrs. Mulder... I believe this was your idea to bring Fox and her back together? Both of them wanted it, I thought you would at least be happy for them...?"

"Of course, I'm happy for them... Nothing pleases me more than to help Fox... Yet, when it comes to my son, he can't bring himself to be civil to him..."

"Fox does that only because he is worried about me!! He doesn't care what Bill thinks about him!! He never did!! Don't forget, Mom, what Bill did to us last year!! I was always willing to forgive him but he wouldn't even hear me out!! I tried, Mom, but now... Bill... he doesn't feel right!!!"

"What?! What do you mean by that?! He doesn't feel right..? Dana, he is your brother!!"

"I know that!! Don't think that I don't!! I do love Bill, Mom, but there's something not right!! It's not only the anger I can see... Mom, I don't trust him!!"

"Then maybe you ought to leave..."

"Mom... please, don't do this... I can't help how I feel... you always said..."

"Then you should leave... I don't want you to be around someone you don't trust!!"

"Mom, I'm not going to leave. Please, try not to be angry at us... I will try... I can't help how I feel... but I will try... please?"

Dana reached for her mother and wrapped her arms around her. Maggie at first would not look at her but the pain she felt brought her eyes to her daughter.

"I just want us to be a family, Dana... I just want that back so much..."

"I know, Mom... I miss it, too..."

Saturday: Maggie Scully's House

"Dana, are you sure you want to do this..? Are you sure you don't want to come with my mom and I?" Fox asked when he pulled up in front of Maggie Scully's home.

Seeing Bill's rental car in the driveway made his stomach turn. Not allowing himself to express his feeling towad Bill, Fox's body felt sick knowing the asshole was near.

Fox and his mother made plans to have lunch together, it was a chance for mother and son to reacquaint themselves. Dana decided to stay with her mother to keep her promise on making peace with Bill. With Fox not being there, the tension might be gone long enough for brother and sister to talk.

"Fox, we've already talk about this... you need time with your mother. You both have a lot of catching up to do. Anyway, I promise Mom I would be here for lunch..."

As Dana was about to get out of the car, Fox reached for her arm to stop her.

"Baby, if he does anything to you... you tell me. Don't hide it from me..." Fox worried.

"Don't worry, Spookie... I can handle him..." Dana assured him.

The restaurant Fox Mulder chosen was crowded with earlier Mother's Day celebration.

Fortunately, their wait was not too long as the host escorted Fox and his mother to their table.

Exchanging only a few words, they both viewed the menu but Fox's mind was on Dana.

Together, they had broken their promise of staying by each other's side for the weekend. Leaving Dana once again in the clutches of her big brother filled Fox with guilt and concern.

He wasn't there for her the last time. Then again neither of them knew Bill and his family would come to visit on the week Fox had been on an unauthorized quest and Dana was home with an injured ankle.

It was sometime before Dana would tell him what had happened between her and Bill that caused Fox to hit the roof.

He wasn't so mad at Bill, but at himself for leaving Dana alone when she needed him the most. Taking on his selfish crusade instead of being home caring for her as she had done for him many times in the past.

Though Dana stood her ground against her brother, it was something she shouldn't have done alone.

"Is there something wrong, Fox?" His mother asked.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Fox glanced at her noticing the worried look on her face.

"It's nothing... I was thinking about Dana..."

"Oh... It's a shame she couldn't have joined us..."

"Well, she wanted too, but she did promise her mother she would stay for lunch..."

"Fox..." Teena Mulder lowered her menu before her. She was glad for the time alone with her son, it allowed her to ask the question that had been bothering her," ... You mention yesterday that Dana had cancer..."

"Yes, she did... but it's gone now..."

"May I ask what kind of cancer she had?"

Fox was silent for a moment. Bringing back the memory of that year was more painful than he had expected. For Dana's cancer was but a part of a chain of suffering she had gone through since her abduction a few years ago.

Lifting his eyes back up to his mother, Fox fought the tears that were threatening. Pushing them back was something he knew how to do well. Even with his mother's hand on his, Fox would not allow one tear to shed.

"If it's painful, Fox... you don't have to talk about it..."

Touched by his mother's concern, Fox took a deep breath before answering her.

"No... no, I can... it's just been some time since I have thought about it..."

Clearing his throat, Fox would hold nothing back. Having some idea of his mother's past, most likely she would know of the things he would speak of. His mother was a great actress, she was not as naive as she portrayed herself to be.

"A few years ago, Dana was abducted from her home by a very sick man... who traded her for his own safety from men in the government he believed to be aliens from another world..."

Fox looked at his mother but turned his eyes down again.

"Though the government would never admit to these men existing... She was gone for weeks... I didn't know how to find her... Then she was brought back, out of the blue... she was found in a hospital where she nearly died. She did recover but she could not remember a thing of what had happened to her... she still doesn't..."

When the waiter approach their table, Fox stopped. Letting his mother order first, it gave time for Fox to compose himself before placing his order. As soon as the waiter was gone, Fox drank his glass of water before he would start again. His mother's hand returned to his and when their eyes met, Fox started once more.

"It was almost a year later, she discovered a small metal implant in the back of her neck, which she had removed..." Fox pointed to area on his own neck," That discovery lead her to a group of women who knew who she was, but Dana didn't know them.

"From what she had learned from them, they were all abducted and housed together while tests were being done on each of them. They all had the same metal implant as Dana did, which they also had removed... What they did to Dana... and those other women were monstrous."

Fox stopped a moment debating whether or not to mention the supportive removal of Dana's ova, which they now knew not to be true. That itself was a mystery to them.

"It was some months later, Dana learned she had cancer. A tumor growing in her nasal cavity near the brain, in an area that surgery removal was impossible... At the same time she learned the women she was abducted with, had all died of the same cancer. She was the last one... She would have nosebleeds... and she would always act like she was fine... but she wasn't!! I didn't know how help her... I tried to find everything I could... I didn't want her to die.

Fox stopped once again, reviewing his mother's face that bored a look of horror.

Did she believe what he was saying?

What could she possibly know?

Fox found he wanted to talk more. Letting loose the truth of the events that happened to Dana in her life.

"No one knows why the metal implant saved her... and I don't care either... but it seems to also have something to do with her reproduction as well.

"When Dana was returned from her abduction, she learned some time later that she could never conceive.

Stopping for a moment to catch his breath, Fox found reliving Dana's life difficult as his fingers rested against his lips. His mother remained silent, waiting patiently for him to continue.

It bothered Fox that his mother didn't say anything. Perhaps proving to himself his mother's knowledge about the things his father was involved in and what happened to Samantha.

"The little girl... her name was Emily... wasn't born from Dana... she was created by the same men who took Dana.

He did not want to talk about the miscarriage. Thank God or whoever, his mother had remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

"It made everything more believable of what I had suspected was happening to her... the lies... The tricks they did to her body... I know what it is now.

Maggie Scully's House

Dana Scully moved about in the kitchen helping her mother and sister-in-law prepare the dishes for lunch.

Bill had insisted on barbecuing chicken and steaks for everyone. Some of the Scully cousins had dropped by, the few who were still talking to Bill. Over the years, Bill had managed to vex just about every family member. It didn't bother him one bit. He spoke his mind and if no one liked it, tough shit!!

As her husband busied himself outside, it gave Tara a chance to talk with Dana without Bill butting in.

"Are you excited about getting married, Dana?" Tara asked as she was cutting up the tomatoes.

A huge smile came across Dana's face," More than excited, I don't think there is a word to describe how I'm feeling about marrying Fox..."

Tara had to laugh when she heard Dana say Mulder's first name.

"It's so strange to hear you call Fox by his first name, Dana... It's very different. Do you know why his parents named him that?"

"Well, from what Fox told me... it was a name his mother liked. She would give him no reason except that. I have to admit it is an unusual name for a woman like Mrs. Mulder to pick. You would think Fox's parents were hippies..."

"I'm sure there is a good story behind it..."

"Maybe... then again, she just might have liked the name, simple as that..."

"So have you started looking for a wedding dress, Dana?"

"I'm not going to wear a wedding dress..."

"What?!!" Maggie Scully stopped what she was doing and turned to Dana," What do you mean you're not going to wear wedding dress?! What do you plan on doing?!! Standing up there naked?!"

"Momm..." Dana knew her mother was never happy with her wedding plans. She had heard the lecture over and over again, how inconvenient it would be for the family to be at a wedding that would not start until late at night on one of the busiest holidays where there were shootings and drunk drivers all about.

"It sounds like something Melissa would have came up with..." Maggie had told Dana a few weeks ago.

"I'm going to wear something simple... and almost white... whitish-pink. You'll love it, I promise. It's already sitting in my closet at home. Even Fox loves it..."

Dana had remembered Fox's reaction to be the same as her mother's was the day she brought the dress home.

"What do you mean you're not going to wear a wedding dress?!! I wanna see you in one!!" Fox exclaimed.

"Fox... I don't like wedding dresses, so much money for something I'm only going to wear once..."

"You know we can afford it... money's not a problem!!"

Dana could not deny that fact. Thanks to what his father's estate had left him, including the many investments Fox had done over the years and that he hardly spent any money on any luxury items for himself. Fox's bank account could care for both of them for years to come.

"Well, it's too late, I've already bought my dress..."

"No!! I wanna see you wear a wedding dress... please? Come on, Dana, it's not fair!! You know you'll look beautiful..."

"You don't even know what the dress looks like..."

"I don't care what it looks like... it's not going to be the same as a wedding dress..."

"You stay here, sourpuss, I'll be right back..." Dana walked out of the living room leaving a pouting Fox Mulder alone.

It took a few minutes, before Dana returned wearing the dress that left Fox's mouth hanging.

There standing before him was his bride-to-be in a dress which did more for Fox than any porno video could ever do.

The off shoulder, whitish-pink laced dress with short sleeves followed the curves of her body. The length of the well-fitted dress was no more than passed her knees as Dana twirled around to reveal her bare back and a huge bow tie to her waist with a tail of lace and material hanging from behind the dress barely touching the ground. As elegant as it was, the dress also had a simplest to it that was much to Dana liking.

Her red hair seemed to change color matching the tone of pink in her dress, leaving her quite stunning.

"What do you think, Spookie?"

"It's beautiful... you're beautiful..."

Dana couldn't help but blush. She remembered seeing the dress in one of stores in the mall. For over a month, Dana kept eyeing the dress, wondering how it would look on her.

When the idea was brought up by her cousins about a wedding dress, Dana remembered her dislike for them. She had seen so many of her friends spend a fortune on wedding gowns, looking uncomfortable in them.

Remembering the dress in the store window she loved, had made her decision that she would wear it for her wedding day.

Buying the dress without anyone knowing about it, Dana had a small alteration done on the hem. Otherwise, it was a perfect fit.

"You are so beautiful..." Fox stood up to take her into his arms. Dana could not miss his excitement against her. She didn't expect this kind of reaction or the action it would cause him to do.

Feeling the back of his hand against her stomach, Dana could tell he was fumbling to open and unzip his pants. Suddenly she remembered something he had done to her once when she worn the outfit he loved her in.

"Fox!! NO!! Don't dirty my dress!!!" Dana tried to pull away.

"I'll buy you a new one... I'll buy you a dozen..." Fox held on tighter.

"Dana..." Maggie called to her," We really do need to sit down and discuss the reception... Have you and Fox decided where you wanted to have it..? Not that there will be many places open for that day... I'm sure they have their own plans for the new year..."

"I don't think we should have a reception, Mom... I think the wedding itself is enough. I really don't want a lot of fussing..."

"How could you not have a reception, Dana?! I have never heard of such a thing!! Every wedding I have gone to has had a reception. You're going to have a reception, even if we have it here!!"

"Mom, wait just a moment..."

"No waiting!! As soon as Fox comes back with his mother, we're all going to sit down and discuss your wedding plans. I'm tired of you dragging your feet, Dana!! January will be here sooner than you'll expect it. Because it's a holiday, you should have been planning since March!!"

Dana simply rolled her eyes up. Her mother had been on her case since she walked in. Perhaps still upset from last night, Dana was doing her best to be patient with her mother.

It was true that Dana and Fox had not made time to work out the plans for their wedding day. Being so absorbed in their work, when they were home together, they simply enjoyed not worrying about things. Life had a way of throwing situations their way. So far, they had each been able to handle the many crises in their private lives.

Dana was beginning to think it would be better if she and Fox ran off and got married instead of dealing with all the quibbling of a wedding. It was starting to become a big headache for her.

"HEY!! AREN'T YOU GUYS DONE IN THERE, YET?!!" Bill Scully, Jr. called from the outside," WE CAN'T EAT UNLESS YOU HAVE The SIDE DISHES READY!!!"

'Pain in the ass... 'Dana thought to herself.

Since she walked into the house, Dana had tried to talk with her brother, Bill. Yet, the words between them were short and cold. Dana could not shake the feeling of distrust toward him. It was a feeling she had before among the men she and Fox encountered with in the past. She couldn't understand why she felt this way. Bill felt so evil.

Downing another beer, Bill Scully, Jr. stood before the grill that was blazing. His eyes would wander back and forth between the family and Walter Skinner. It was enough he had to deal with the 'sorry son of a bitch' future brother-in-law, but now his own mother had a new man in her life.

What were these women doing with him living so far from them and not having a better control in their lives to prevent these horrors?

Just as fuckhead Mulder was not good enough for his sister, this baldheaded bastard could never compare to his dad, who was a god in Bill, Jr.'s eyes.

"Hey, Walter!! Care for another beer?!" Bill called out to him.

"No, thanks, doing fine here..." Walter showed him the beer he had in his hand.

"O... K... If you need another one, just let me know... got plenty here, don't want you to go dry..."

Bill took another gulp finishing his beer off.

"... Wouldn't want that baldhead of yours to go dry, either..." Bill said to himself.

"Dana, you really don't want to have a big wedding, do you?" Tara Scully had asked her when Maggie Scully walked out of the room.

"Truth..? No, I really don't. I always thought I wanted to... but now, I just simply want to marry Fox and I don't care about big parties or celebration or even being married in a church. Even getting married on New Year's eve, at first I thought it would be a wonderful, memorable event. Now... I don't know... I just don't like a lot of fussing. It's just not me... or Fox."

"Well, maybe you should rethink your plans... What does Fox think...?"

"Whatever I want... is fine by him... Sometimes I like to strangle him... leaving everything up to me... I don't like doing this alone..."

"Have you told him this?"

"No... I have to admit, at first, I didn't want him to put his nose into it. He has a habit of overdoing things to where I'm ready to kill him... but my mom's right... it's time we did start talking about the wedding... him and me..."

Dana took one of the large bowls of salad into her arms and walked out to the backyard with Tara following behind her carrying a large bowl of potato salad. One of Dana's cousins came up and offered to take the large bowl from her. Returning to the house, to retrieve the other dishes, Dana suddenly stopped when Bill called her name.

"HEY, Dana!!! Since your 'THING' isn't here... looks like there's gonna be enough seconds for everyone. That son of a bitch eats like a pig!! Don't you feed him enough?!!" Bill ended his comment as he took another beer into his hands opening it.

Dana rushed back in, desperately holding her tongue and did not see her sister-in-law approach her husband.

Picking at her food, Dana sat with her mother and Walter Skinner.

She wished she had gone with Fox and his mother. At least there, if Mrs. Mulder really didn't like her, she wouldn't be telling the whole world like her brother, Bill was doing now.

Every time, she came close to Bill he would have something to say to her about Fox.

"That sorry son of a bitch, what's matter..?! Him and his mommy too good to eat with us..?! How come you didn't go, Dana..? Not good enough to eat with them?!"

Dana walked away leaving someone else to deal with Bill's rudeness toward her.

It was getting harder to hold back. She knew Bill had been drinking, loosening that already loose tongue of his.

Thank God, Fox wasn't here. She wasn't sure if she could hold him back away from Bill.

When it was time to eat, Dana stood in line with the family waiting for Bill to serve them their choice of meat.

"Hey, there, Dana... what will it be? Meat..? Yeah... I bet you don't get plenty of that at home... Here, you go..."

"NO!!" Dana put her hand up, blocking Bill," I would prefer chicken... and I do get plenty of 'meat' at home. So much that there is plenty for seconds and thirds..." Dana brought her eyes directly at her brother," ... And even a fourth serving that fills me up to no end..."

With that, Dana walked away, refusing to take anything from Bill, Jr.

Noticing Dana was barely touching her food, Walter Skinner felt great sympathy for her. After witnessing what her brother had done to her as he stood in line with the others, Walter Skinner took matters into his own hands.

"You should have better respect for your sister..." Walter addressed Bill even as he placed the steak on Walter's plate," Life is too short be having this hate..."

"Hey!! You are not my father... and it will be a cold day in HELL before you ever will be... So why don't you mind your own business and stay out of family's!!!"

"When it comes to Dana... it is my business..." Walter's hard eyes drilled at Bill's own drunken eyes," Leave her alone... or you'll be dealing with me next time..."

"Not hungry, Dana?" Walter had asked her.

"No, not really..." Noticing the time on her watch, it was nearly one o'clock. Fox said that he and his mother would be back around two.

In another hour, Dana could go home.

Matthew Scully was overwhelmed by the sight of so many people around him.

Being the center of attention was much to the child's liking. He would be cuddled, kissed and as a reward for his sweetest, a piece of candy or a penny would pop into his hand.

Finally free of his mother's grip, the little boy belched and tasted the hot dog he had ate.

"Hi!!" He would greet all the big people again hoping for some more treats.

"Hi!!" Matthew waved to his aunt, Dana Scully.

"Hi, there, Matthew..." Dana smiled at her nephew.

This was the first time today, Dana had been close to the boy. So busy helping out in the kitchen, she missed out on the cute things the little boy had been doing with the other family members.

"Come here, Matthew... Can I have a hug...?"

"K..." The boy rushed to Dana and gave her a hug.

Bending down to meet his level, Dana enjoyed the feeling of holding the child especially one as cute as her nephew. The little boy certainly looked like his mother. There wasn't one bit of Bill in the child's face.

Giving his aunt an extra big hug, Matthew could not wait for the treat he would receive once the hugging was done. Instead of a treat, Dana gave the boy a smile of love and ruffled his hair.

The little boy walked away extremely disappointed.

"Glad you like my kid, Dana..." Bill walked up to her. He had watched the whole exchange between aunt and nephew.

"He's a beautiful boy, Bill..." Dana continued to watch Matthew.

"Yeah, he's one of a kind..." Bill beamed with pride.

Taking a drink from yet another beer, Bill suddenly felt sorry for his sister. She could never have any kids of her own. It was a shame but at the same time it was a blessing, especially since that 'sorry son of a bitch' would have fathered them.

"You know, Dana, I'm glad you can't have kids... the world doesn't need any more monsters..."

Time stopped that moment for Dana.

What her brother had said was worse than being shot or punched at. The whole world seemed to fall apart.

For Bill, Jr. had touched the nerve of Dana's heart.

"YOU SON of A BITCH!!! YOU SON of A BITCH!!!" Dana's screams had attracted the whole family to witness her punch Bill with both of her fists against his chest.

"YOU SON of A BITCH!!! I HATE YOU!!!" Dana dashed passed everyone who tried to reach her.

Tara faced her husband as Maggie went after Dana.

"What the hell is wrong with her?!" Bill questioned his wife.

"What did you tell her, Bill?"

"Nothin... It was nothin... All I said was that I was glad she can't have kids. Who the hell needed any more Mulders in the world?!!"

"Oh, my God, Bill!!"

Dana managed to reach the downstairs bathroom before her mother could stop her. She wanted no one to touch or feel sorry for her. Not listening to her mother's pleading words, Dana's tears drowned out the world.

Driving back to Maggie Scully's house, Teena Mulder remained silent since they left the restaurant. Reviewing in her mind what Fox had told her of Dana Scully and her family caused great sorrow in her heart for the woman her son loved.

How could Teena ever thought so ill of her? The poor thing had suffered so much.

For Teena Mulder knew that everything her son had described was true. Though she could not bring herself to reveal to Fox who was truly responsible for what had happened not only to Dana Scully but to the women who were abducted with her.

"Are you all right, Mom...?" Fox asked his mother as he came to a stop for a red light," Don't tell me the food was that bad...?"

"No, the food was delicious..." Teena did not catch his joke," Fox?"

"Yeah, Mom?"

"I do hope you and Dana will be happy together..."

"Dana?! Please open the door, Dana... Please tell me what happened?!! Dana!!!" Maggie banged on the door as she listened to her daughter crying.

"I thought I warned you to leave your sister alone..." Walter Skinner stood face to face with Bill Scully, Jr.

"Fuck you!!" Bill said as stood up against Skinner.

"What did you tell her?! Was it about Fox?!! Why don't you leave the man alone!!"

"I don't give a shit about that fuckhead!! You wanna know what I told her?!"

"Bill, NO!!" Tara took his arm and tried to pull him away from Skinner.

Freeing his arm away from his wife, Bill never removed his glare at Skinner," I ain't ashamed of what I said... I don't give shit who hears me!!! I'M GLAD SHE CAN'T HAVE ANY KIDS!!! WHO The HELL NEEDS ANYMORE Mulder MONSTERS IN The WORLD?!!! THAT's ALL SHE WOULD HAVE HAD... MONSTERS!!!"

At that moment Walter Skinner came close to hitting Maggie's son. Tara sensing such a possibility put herself between them, trying again to push Bill away from Skinner.

Turning from them, Walter Skinner entered the house.

"Dana..? Please, baby, talk to me... Dana... please open the door and let me in... Please, I want to help you... Dana?" Maggie continued to plead even as she no longer heard Dana crying.

Just then, Maggie heard the door being unlocked as Dana slowly let the door open.

Returning back to the seat she was sitting on, Dana refused to make eye contact with her mother. Wiping her tears away, all Dana could think of was to stop crying. Not wanting Fox to see or know what had happened to her.

"Dana, what's wrong?" Maggie placed her hands on her shoulders," What did Bill say to you?"

"Why don't you go ask him yourself?! Let him repeat what he said?!" Dana lowered her head as tears again fell," Let him tell you how glad he is that I can't have children!!"

"Oh, my God!!!" Maggie gasped at what Dana had said. She tried to hold her daughter but Dana pulled away.

"He called my babies monsters!! Monsters!! Why did he call them that?! My poor babies!!"

Walter Skinner walked in just as Maggie engulfed Dana's body next to hers.

Pulling up to the house, Fox had gotten out of the car to open the door for his mother. Noticing some of the cars around Mother Scully's house, it didn't seem that too many relatives came out to see Bill and his family.

"Can I be alone for just a moment...?" Dana asked as her mother continued to hold her," Please I just want to wash up before Fox comes back... I don't want him to know about this... Please don't tell him..."

"Dana... I..." Maggie tried to speak but Dana stopped her.

"Please... just leave me alone for a while..."

Going through the set of keys he had, Fox finally found the ones for Mother Scully's house. Since he knew everyone would be in the backyard, Fox decided it was best just to let him and his mother in.

Looking at herself in the mirror, Dana could not wash the sadness away. She hoped that Fox would not come back too soon.

Maggie Scully rushed to the backyard with Walter Skinner right behind her. It didn't take her long to find her son, Bill as she slapped him across the face.

"GET OUT!!! You're no longer welcome here!!!"

Letting his mother in first, Fox held the door for her as she walked across.

"I'm going upstairs for awhile, Fox. Please let Maggie know I'll be down in a moment..."

"Sure, Mom..."

Just as Fox was about to walk out to the backyard, Dana came into the living room where he was. As soon as their eyes met, Fox knew something had happened.

"I'm not leaving, MOM!! I'm here for the weekend, remember...?" Bill sneered at his mother.

"I want you out of here!! NOW!!" Maggie shouted.

"What happened, Dana?" Fox asked as he felt his anger growing.

Not able to hide, Dana shook her head," Nothing, Fox... nothing happened..."

"You're lying to me!! Don't lie to me!!! What happened?!! What did he do to you?!!"

It was so hard for Dana to repeat it once more.

Walter Skinner grabbed Bill by the shoulder, and led him to the backdoor," It's best you do as your mother said..."

"Fuck you, you baldheaded son of a bitch!! You don't know who you are dealing with?!! I could crush you like a ..."

Suddenly a force came charging up to Bill punching him to the side of his face. Bill's body went flying backward bringing along Walter Skinner. Neither man fell to the ground as Fox Mulder once again charged at Bill Scully.

"MOTHERFUCKING SON of A BITCH!!!" Fox threw his body at Bill, pushing him with such force that Bill finally lost his footing and landed hard on his back.

Trying to go after Bill again, Walter pushed his body against Fox holding him back.

"MOTHERFUCKER!!! NOTHING BUT A FUCKIN' COWARD!!!"

Even in his intoxicated state, Bill managed to stand up on his own. The punch Mulder given him hurt like shit. He was going to pay for that.

Fox struggled to break free from Skinner's grip, but his mouth was free to express his outrage.

"TOO MUCH of A FUCKIN' COWARD TO COME AFTER ME!!! YOU HAD TO HURT HER!!! HER!!! WELL, I'M HERE, ASSHOLE!!! YOU GOT ANYTHING TO SAY... DO IT NOW!!!"

Walter started to push Fox away from Bill, who seemed not to want to do anything but stare Fox down.

"I'LL KILL YOU!!! I'LL KILL YOU For HURTING HER!!! YOU SON of A BITCH!!! YOU MOTHERFUCKIN' SON of A BITCH!!!"

With one good push, Fox managed to free himself from Skinner's grip as his fist again went flying at Bill's face, busting his bottom lip. Landing once more on his back, Bill could not protect himself as the enraged Fox pinned his body on top of him.

Blinded by his anger, Fox was determined to beat Bill to death.

Finally, able to punish someone for the pain caused to Dana that Fox was unable to do before.

The government doctors who hurt her.

All rolled into one, Bill Scully, Jr. would pay for every pain Dana had suffered through the years.

Suddenly the hands of Walter Skinner were on him again, trying to pull Fox away from his hatred target. Screaming his protest as two male cousins came to Skinner's aid to pull Fox off of Bill.

Cursing and kicking, Fox was dragged into the house. His body felt the sudden slam against the hard wall of the kitchen. The weight of Skinner pressed against his chest, forced the wind out of him. Fox gasped as Walter Skinner's hard eyes beamed down at him.

"THAT's ENOUGH, Mulder!!! KNOCK IT OFF!!!"

Feeling his body losing its strength, Fox stood still. Only his heavy breathing gave any life to him as Skinner held on.

"Easy off, Mulder... just easy off..."

His breathing still heavy, Walter Skinner could feel Fox's body suddenly relax. His eyes no longer on the older man but for the woman who came to his side.

Gently pushing Skinner away, Dana Scully took Fox Mulder into her arms as he wrapped his own arms around her. Dana's warmth and comfort were most welcoming to him.

"Let's go home, Fox..." Dana spoke into his chest.

Nodding his head and saying " All right..." the young couple walked out of the kitchen.

That Night.

God forgive her, she felt no pity for her son, Bill as Fox Mulder attacked and beat him soundly. He deserved it, for the horrible thing he had said to his sister.

God forgive her. She didn't want Fox to stop.

Upstairs, Bill and his family slept. Needing stitches for his bottom lip, Bill's bruised face searched for comfort from his mother when he and his wife returned home from the hospital.

Maggie lightly hugged him but there was not much feeling from her.

"Do you still want us to leave, Mom?" Bill asked through his sore mouth.

"No... go upstairs and rest, Bill.."

Walter Skinner had spoken to Bill convincing him it would be best not to press charges against Fox Mulder for hitting him. Much calmer than he was earlier, Bill agreed with Walter not to pursue any action.

Studying the framed photographs on the mantle before her, Maggie's eyes spanned the memories. Each photograph showed her once close family growing through the years.

Maggie stopped at the photograph that sat in the middle of the mantle of her daughter, Dana and her heart-son, Fox when they were children. A smile always came to her whenever she would look at the photograph.

The smile soon crumbled at the sudden memory of her son, Bill's reaction when he first saw the photograph.

"Where did this come from?" Bill had asked as he lifted the frame photograph from the mantle," That's Dana isn't? Who's the other kid?"

"That little boy is Fox Mulder..." Maggie said, eager to tell the tale behind the photograph.

"Fox?!" Tara now had the framed photograph in hand," But, how..? You never told me you knew Fox when he was little?"

"No, we didn't!!!" Bill shouted before his mother could answer," I should as hell would have remembered that wet nose brat..."

"BILL!!" Maggie scolded him. Turning to Tara, Maggie took the framed photograph from her," No, Tara, we didn't know Fox when he was little or his parents. This picture was taken in 1965 on the Fourth of July..."

Though Maggie did not have a clear memory of that day, what Fox could remember he shared with her. His strongest memory was the incident the photograph had shown.

After hearing the story and showing them the other photographs she had, Bill once again took the framed photograph from his mother.

"I could have kicked that sorry 'sOB' butt along time ago... Never know when life will throw you a bone..." Bill, Jr. sneered.

"Excuse, Maggie...?" Teena Mulder disturbed her thoughts.

"Hello, Teena..." Maggie smiled at her," Would you like to sit down?"

Teena nodded her head as she sat on the other side of the couch near Maggie.

The two women were silent for a moment, each lost in their thoughts. Noticing her cup of tea was cold, Maggie turned to Teena to see if she would like a cup of tea as well, when she noticed the look of worry on Teena's face.

"Is there something wrong, Teena?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, Maggie. You shouldn't worry about me. After what had happened today, I should be the least of your worries."

"Nonsense... You're my guest, Teena... your well-being is important to me..."

"I was thinking about your daughter, Dana... Fox told me about her misfortunes... I can't help but feel these things could have been prevented... I had I known how important your daughter was to my son, perhaps I could have made some effort to stop what they had done to her... If only..."

"Teena, what are you talking about...?" Maggie suddenly sat up.

"I don't know how much Fox and your daughter know... Fox has hinted to me that he has some understanding of what my ex-husband Bill was involved in when he worked for the State department... How much have they mention to you...?"

"Some things they have told me... I still have a hard time believing..."

"You best believe it, Maggie... Though there are many things I do not know... but what I do know is that your daughter, Dana was a victim of one of the projects my ex-husband, Bill was in charge of..."

Maggie Scully froze in her place. Both Fox and Dana had told her stories of the cases they have been involved with, but some were hard to accept.

"What you're asking me to believe... if this is true...?"

"Maggie, I couldn't bring myself to speak this to Fox... What he already knows... Poor Dana... I wish I had known... I can only ask you to forgive me for not knowing... but someone did... Dana was spared the same fate as those other women..."

"What do you mean..? Dana almost died!! They put her through the same hell!!"

"No... not that... There is one difference. All those other women like the many before them... had their ova completely removed. Dana was spared... by not losing all... There was only one person who could have saved her. Who knew how much Dana meant to our son..."

"Your husband...?" Maggie finished Teena's sentence.

"No... Fox's father..."

Mother's Day - Fox and Dana's Apartment

"Wake up, Fox..." Dana Scully's hand landed hard on Fox Mulder's rump.

His head popping up, Fox stared blindly from sleep and turned toward the person who woke him.

"Why do I have to wake up? It's Sunday..."

"It's also Mother's Day..."

Looking at his fist, the discoloring was still there. The idea of going back to Maggie Scully's house was not high on his list.

"We're not going, are we?"

"Yes, we are, Fox. Our mothers are there..."

"He's going to be there..."

"I know, Fox..."

Maggie Scully's House

The first thing they both noticed was the rental car was gone.

Parking the car in the driveway, Fox Mulder helped Dana Scully with the gifts and flowers they brought with them.

Waiting for them at the front door was Maggie Scully, who had a huge smile on her face.

"My goodness!! What beautiful flowers!! Who are they for?"

"For my other girlfriend..." Fox joked," Happy Mother's Day, Mom..." He leaned over to give her a kiss on the cheek.

Seeing her in a pleasant mood after what had happened yesterday, Fox was in such a rage that he didn't see Mother Scully at all. Only his hate for Bill had driven him blind from his surroundings.

Before going in, Fox lowered his head, but keep his eyes on Maggie.

"I'm sorry about yesterday, Mom... It was wrong for me to act the way I did... I just..."

"No need to talk about it, Fox. I understand why you were upset. No one would hold it against you," Maggie returned the kiss.

Dana stood behind them, smiling. It seemed as if she was forgotten by them.

"Hi, Mom!!! Happy Mother's Day!!!"

"Thank you, Sweetheart... Happy Mother's Day to you, too..."

"Thank you..." Dana answered, though she felt it was a greeting she didn't deserve. Fox had also wished her the same greeting earlier.

Rolling over on the bed to face her, Fox pulled on Dana's arm bringing her closer to him.

"Happy Mother's Day, Dana..."

"Thank you... but I don't feel like a mother..."

"Even with them gone, you're still their mother. You have been a good mother to me, as well as many other things..."

"... The Gunmen sent you these?" Fox pointed to the large bouquet of red roses resting on the table near the front door.

"That is so sweet of them..." Dana commented as she took one of the roses in her hand, breathing in the lovely fragrance," They're beautiful, Mom... It's nice of the guys to remember you this way..."

"Yes, it was quite a surprise!!" Maggie beamed from the kind gesture of the Lone Gunmen.

On another table in the living room were the flowers from Maggie's youngest son, Charlie, as well as a phone call from him earlier in the day.

Teena Mulder sat on the couch, again admiring the teacup Fox and Dana had given to her for Mother's Day as well as the lovely yellow roses that rested on the coffee table in front of her. It had been years since she added to her teacup collection. In fact, the last one she received as gift was from Fox about eight years ago.

Teena's talk with Maggie Scully last night had ease some weight off her shoulders. She opened up much to a woman who really was a stranger to Teena but had a feeling of truth all around her.

It was difficult for Maggie to take in all the things Teena Mulder spoke to her about. The truth about Fox's father was shocking to Maggie.

"Teena, have you ever told Fox about his real father?" Maggie asked her last night.

"Never... I can't... I don't want to bring shame to Bill's name..."

"I think that's too late..."

"Maggie, I can't tell... not now... There is too much, too much danger for him to know now..."

"Why do you feel the need to continue to hide things from him?!! He has the right to know!!"

Teena Mulder lowered and shook her head," There's so much... so much to tell... things I know he doesn't remember... I don't want him to hate me again..."

"... Are you OK, Mom?" Fox asked as he sat next to his mother.

"I'm all right, Fox..." Teena returned her eyes back to the teacup then to the roses that sat before her," I don't know how I'm going to take those roses home. I don't want them to be damage during the trip."

"We'll think of a way..." Fox reached over and hugged his mother.

Maggie watched them from a distance. Her distaste for the woman had grown.

How horrible Teena Mulder was to the one person who loved her, the most.

At the Airport.

His wife, Tara and their son, Matthew were now on a plane flying to her parents' home. They would stay there for a few days. They needed this time away from each other.

Leaving his mother's home earlier than planned only because Bill could not bear to see his sister again. The things he had said to her, the shame he brought upon himself in front of the family. Worse of all, not one of them cared about his well-being after that 'sorry son of a bitch' took to pounding on him.

They left him laying there on the ground. He could hear their voices. Many of them were praising Fox for giving Bill what he deserved. It took longer for his mother and his wife to come to his aid. Even his young son was frightened. More by that monster Mulder than what Bill had looked like after his wife cleaned the blood away.

The baldheaded bastard Skinner was more concerned about fuckhead Mulder. Warning Bill that it would not be wise to press charges against the Monster. Bill agreed only because deep in his heart, he knew he deserved what had happened to him.

He said those terrible things to his little sister, his once sweet Dana. How could he have said those things?! He remembered how hard it was for him and Tara to have a child. When Matthew came, life felt fulfilled.

Fixing his dark glasses, Bill could not hide all his bruises from the public. Still, he kept his head high and nonchalant as the people walked passed him.

Nothing could hide him from the two men who approached him.

"Scully..."

Bill did not look up when he heard his name.

"They want to see you, Sir..."

Maggie Scully's House

Alone once more, Maggie Scully sat in the living room staring at her mantle.

Again, her eyes wandered to the framed photographs before her.

So many things had changed over the years. Things that had once been were no more. Some changes were wonderful and exciting. Others... Maggie brought her head down. Those changes were heartbreaking.

Now Maggie had a secret. Something she would keep quiet from Fox Mulder.

Yet, she wondered if it really was something to hold silent with? The things Fox had learned on his own and what he believed in had always guided him to the answers he searched for.

Maggie decided to remain quiet on the subject.

For there really was only one person who Fox needed to know the Truth from.

Greenwich, Connecticut

Arriving from the airport, Teena Mulder could not have been more than happy to be home. Though the true happiest had been her reunion with her son Fox. Not even the events that had taken place this weekend could ruin any of her joyful moments with him.

Teena did not keep her promise. The secrets she held from Fox were still with her. Only Maggie Scully witnessed her telling the truth about Fox's father and what she knew of the things that might have been done to Maggie's daughter Dana when she was abducted.

Teena knew Maggie did not like her. Whatever friendship there could have been was no more when Teena opened the truth to her.

"Welcome home, Teena..." An elder woman greeted her at the door. Having housesat for Teena Mulder, the woman hugged her tight.

"Thank you, Betty. It's good to be home..." Teena hugged her back.

"Did you have a good visit with your son?"

"The best..."

"That's wonderful... I do hope he'll be visiting soon..."

"I hope so, too..."

Helping Teena with her luggage, Betty noticed the box with roses in them," What beautiful roses, Teena..."

"Yes, they are... my son and his fiancee gave them to me..."

"Oh... really... that reminds me, Teena, you did get a delivery of flowers today... I thought maybe your son sent them as well... I put them in the living room... Why don't you go and relax and let me put these roses in water for you...?"

Teena froze in her place when she saw the bouquet. It had been many years since he sent her flowers, but they were always the same kind.

Lifting the card and removing it from the envelope, Teena carefully read it before tearing it up.

'Teena, It does my heart good to know that you and Fox have made peace. I look forward to the day you and I will be grandparents.... Love always...'

After destroying the card, Teena stared down at the flowers. She would get rid of them the moment her friend Betty left for home.

Fox was right.

Someone was playing God.

And she knew exactly who it was.

Monday: Fox and Dana's Apartment

As soon as she heard the music blasting, Dana Scully knew they were going to be late for work.

Carefully slipping her blouse into her skirt when Fox Mulder came dancing in the room. Only in his boxer shorts, he grabbed Dana from behind, grinding her.

Bringing his hands down to her body, he outlined her lovely curves. Fox undid what Dana had done by pulling her blouse free of her skirt and ripping it off completely.

"Oh, now you're going to have to buy me a new one!!" Dana scolded him.

"I'll buy you a dozen..." Fox promised her as he unbuckled her bra from the front. His body still dancing to the music as he pulled her close to him, pressing her chest above his stomach. Her breasts sailed across him, as his own manhood rubbed against her.

Leading her to the bed, Fox brought both their bodies down with a bounce.

Summary:

Dana Scully stood here several years ago when her father's ashes were spread across the sea.

She never felt it was the right burial for him. Yet, it was what he wished for, to be a part of the thing he loved.

Fox Mulder held her hand as they stood together side by side viewing the endless water before them.

Having thought of visiting his father's gravesite this day, Fox decided that coming here with Dana was the best way to remember him by.

The warm June sun beamed on them as both were lost in their thoughts of the fathers they once had.

April 1969: The Scullys' Residence.

He was supposed be here... now!

That's what her mommy told her.

Every car she would see, Dana would stand on her feet. She nearly danced when a car would come close, hoping each time it would be her daddy driving up, but it was never what she hoped for.

No Daddy.

Once again she sat down with her chin resting on her tiny hands.

"Whatcha doing, short-stuff?" Billy, Jr. asked.

"I'm waiting for Daddy, Billy. He's coming!!"

"No, he's not, Dana. Not until tomorrow!!"

"He is too coming, Billy!!! Mommy said so."

"Mom said tomorrow, dumb Dana!! Get your days straight," Billy said. He gave her a good push to the head as he passed her by.

Sitting back up, rubbing the spot where Billy had pushed her, Dana frowned at her big brother.

"I'm telling Daddy, Billy!!!"

Resting her head on her hands again, Dana continued to wait for her daddy.

"Dana, you can't sit here all day... it's time for lunch," Her mother, Maggie, had called to her youngest daughter.

"But I can't... Daddy be here soon. I wanna wait for him..."

"Sweetie, Daddy's not coming until tomorrow..." Maggie said as she caressed Dana's hair.

"Mommy, you said today!!" Dana's lower lip pouted.

"No, Baby, you must have misunderstood me. Daddy will be here tomorrow, bright and early. We can all go to church together."

"But I want him now!!" Bursting into tears, Dana let out her frustration.

Ever patient, Maggie lifted her sobbing daughter into her arms, rocking her.

The evening came as the family watched television together. Dana, Billy and their sister, Melissa sat in front of the set, being absorbed in the show they were watching. Maggie sat on the armchair with her youngest child, Charlie sound asleep.

Hearing once again a car driving by, Dana turned her head to the sound of the automobile. She hoped it was her Daddy coming home.

"It's not him, Dana!!" Billy snapped at her. He was tired of his dumb sister turning her head every time a car drove by.

"How do you know?! It could be too!!" Dana answered him back," Huh, Melissa, it could be Daddy, couldn't it?"

"Yeah, it can, Dana."

"Shut up, Missy!! You know it's not Dad!!"

"You shut up, Billy!!" Melissa leaned over and popped Billy on the head.

Dana, seeing her chance to get even with her brother, let him have a sock with her fist on his shoulder.

Seeing and hearing Billy's cry for help, Maggie raised her voice to her daughters.

"Both of you, stop this instant!! Melissa!! Dana!! Leave Billy alone!!"

Little Charlie shook from his mother's loud voice as he wailed his disapproval to her.

Bringing the two-year-old closer to her, Maggie brought herself and her youngest son up from the chair to walk into the kitchen.

"You three behave yourselves, I will be listening..." She warned her children.

"You hear that? I'm in charge," Billy pointed to himself.

"Mommy didn't say that, Billy," Melissa responded.

"Yeah, Mommy didn't say that, Billy," Dana repeated Melissa.

"It doesn't matter... I'M IN CHARGE!!" Billy waved his fist at his sisters.

"You're not in charge, Billy," Melissa waved her own fist at him.

"Yeah, you're not in charge, Billy," Dana waved her own fist as well, then she socked him again on the shoulder.

"OUCH!!! MOM!!! Dana HIT ME AGAIN!!!!" Billy screamed out.

"NO, SHE DIDN'T!!!" Melissa covered for her sister.

"NO, I DIDN'T!!!" Dana fibbed.

Walking back into the living room with a much calmer Charlie, Maggie's firm look quickly caused her three older children to suddenly settle down.

"If I see or hear any more fighting, all three of you are going to bed..." Eyeing each of her children, Maggie settled down again with her youngest as they all continued to watch the television.

"Why can't Daddy come home now?" Dana whined for the millionth time today as her mother tucked her into bed.

"I want him to come home now!!"

"When you wake up tomorrow morning, Dana. Your Daddy will be here. You'll see..."

"Promise Mommy?"

"There is no need for me to promise, sweetheart, he'll be here... Sweet dreams, baby," Maggie shut off the light to her daughter's room.

Dana yawned in the darkness of the night.

"Daddy will be home tomorrow," Dana thought as she drifted into a slumber.

"DADDY!!!" Dana leaped into his arms," Daddy, did you miss me?"

"Of, course, I did!! I missed all of you!!"

"Me the most?"

"I missed you all..."

Dana could not dance enough around her daddy. Every time he would be close, Dana begged him to take her into his arms. A wish he would grant her every time.

Always with lots of questions, Dana would beg for an answer.

"Daddy, did you see any mermaids?"

"Daddy, did you say hi to Flipper?"

"Daddy, did you bring me anything?"

"Daddy, can I go with you next time?"

Forever patient with his youngest daughter, Bill Scully, Sr. wrapped Dana in his arms, kissing her forehead.

"Dana, my dearest. What on earth am I going to do with you?"

"I don't know," Dana answered innocently.

April 1969: The Mulders' Residence.

From where he stood, Fox could see his father sitting in the living room. With his head resting in his hand, Bill Mulder's whole body slumped in the armchair.

Every part of Fox wanted to run up and say hi to his father, buthe was afraid. One wrong move, one word not said right could get Fox into a lot of trouble.

When Bill Mulder's head rose, his eyes met up with his son's. Fox nearly jumped from the sudden movement of his father.

"Fox? Come here for a moment..." Bill Mulder gestured to his son.

Doing as his father said, Fox walked up to him. He made sure his head was up and his hands did not fidget in front of him.

Lifting his seven-year-old onto his lap, Bill Mulder embraced his quiet son. For a moment, they sat together without a sound between them. Fox enjoyed the warmth of his father's kind act, as Bill Mulder realized his love and regrets for his actions against his son.

"You know that I love you, Fox?" Bill Mulder confessed.

Fox nodded his head. His own love for his father came to the surface, forgetting the fear he had for the large man.

They sat like this for some time until Fox fell asleep, feeling safe in his father's arms.

He heard his father's voice, another man's voice, then his mother's, all shouting at each other. Their words were hard to understand. Fox was uncertain if he heard his name as his thumb searched out for his mouth.

Lying still out of fear, Fox suddenly remembered his sister, Samantha. His concern for her was enough to get him out of bed and walk quietly to her room as the shouting continued downstairs.

Finding her asleep in her own bed, Fox crawled beside Samantha. He wrapped his arm around her and brought her close to him as possible.

Fox would protect her. No one was going to hurt Samantha.

October 1977: The Scullys' Residence.

Finding her mother's cigarettes, Dana took two of them and a book of matches.

She would smoke them right outside, under his window.

She would show her father that she wasn't his Starbuck anymore.

Despite the chilly air, Dana lit one of the cigarettes and inhaled it too quickly. Her lungs could not handle the such pollution as her body reacted to the discomfort. Dana could not stop coughing even as she took another puff and enjoyed the danger of her rebellious actions.

As sick as she was, Dana did not stop until the cigarette was burnt down. She was prepared to light the next one when her stomach suddenly rejected her dinner all over the lawn.

Bending down on her knees, Dana continued to cough from the smoke of the cigarette and the vomit taste in her mouth.

Staying this way for some time, Dana heard the voice of her sister.

"Dana?! What are you doing?!" Melissa came up to her with concern in her voice.

"What does it look like I'm doing?! I'll show Dad I'm not baby!!"

"By smoking these? You're really showing him, Dana..."

"Shut up!!" Dana stormed passed her sister, making sure to avoid the mess she left on the ground.

Reentering the house, Dana almost made it to the stairs when her father's voice spoke to her.

"You better clean up that mess you made out there, Starbuck. Don't want any of the neighborhood strays coming around here..." he called from the living room as he read the newspaper from his favorite chair.

Dana was about to deny anything when her father added," One more thing, you are grounded for the weekend. Get out there and clean that mess..."

Lying in bed, Dana wiped the tears of frustration from her eyes. She hated her father. Why was he so mean to her when he never treated Bill, Jr., Melissa or Charlie this way? They always got away with murder.

It wasn't fair. Dana hated them all, and that was the last thought she had when she fell asleep.

Dana heard her father's voice near the doorway, but kept her eyes closed, pretending to be asleep.

"I love you, Dana..." Her father said.

October 1977: The Mulders' Residence.

Three days ago, it was his sixteenth birthday.

No one remembered. No one cared.

The thought of the pain again brought tears to his eyes that he managed to push away. He wasn't going to cry like a baby in front of anyone. Even if he was the only one around.

His mother was asleep upstairs in her room. Tired from her day at the lawyer's office as they prepared the papers for her divorce from her husband, Bill Mulder.

Fox couldn't wait for the divorce. It meant there would be one less person in the house that hated him.

Hearing the slam of the front door, Fox sat up quickly. He dreaded the footsteps that were heading toward his direction.

Still living in the house, but in separate rooms, Bill Mulder entered the kitchen. He hadn't been home for days, and his unexpected arrival unnerved Fox as he cast his eyes down to his plate of food.

"Where's your mother?" Bill Mulder asked.

"Asleep..." Fox answered," ... like always."

"I didn't ask for your comment, boy. Keep it to yourself!!"

Heading to the refrigerator, Bill Mulder pulled out a beer. It was all he wanted for dinner, with a scotch that would soon follow.

Keeping his eyes on his food, Fox felt the urge to say something to his father. It was enough that his own mother forgot his birthday, Fox wondered if his father might have remembered. Maybe he was unable to find a telephone to wish Fox well on his special day.

Even as he daydreamed this, Fox already knew the answer. His birthday had not been a cause of celebration since Samantha disappeared. He didn't deserve it, like any of the holidays that were coming up.

Still hoping, Fox decided to put his head on the chopping block as he opened his mouth.

"You know, Dad, it was my birthday the other day..."

Bill Mulder turned his head, his eyes were showing signs of rage. Fox pulled back, readying himself for the back of his father's hand. Instead, he merely stared at his son.

"Thank you, Fox, for reminding me of one of the worst days in my life!!"

With that, Bill Mulder walked out of the kitchen, leaving Fox alone once again.

Pushing his plate of food away, Fox finally gave into the tears that had been threatening since his birthday. He didn't care if anyone heard him. Putting his head down on the table, he sobbed until his body gave into sleep.

June 1991: Dana Scully's Apartment

"What is this? A Father's Day card?" Jack Willis turned to Dana Scully who was emptying the bag of groceries.

"Yes, it is, Jack..." Dana's patience with this man was growing short every day. She didn't know how much longer she was going to be able to put up with him.

Dating Jack for about a year, Dana had fallen madly in love with him when he was her instructor in the FBI Academy. There was nothing more romantic when they learned they shared the same birth date.

That romance was dying before their very eyes.

"I can't believe you are sending him a card, Dana. After all he put you through. He couldn't even give you his seal of approval when you joined the Bureau."

"If I wanted his approval, Jack, I wouldn't have joined."

"Whatever..." Jack tossed the card onto the counter.

Grabbing himself a beer, Jack passed Dana as he gave her a pat on her rump. The feeling of his touch made her sick.

Taking the card from the counter, Dana pulled out a pen from her purse to write her message of love to her father.

That night, Dana made sure the card was in her purse before going to bed.

"You're really going to mail that to him?" Jack noticed what she was doing.

"Yes... not only that, I plan on visiting him that day..."

"You are incredible, Dana. One minute, you can't stand the sight of him and the next... you really are a Daddy's girl," Jack sneered at her and walked into the bedroom.

That night, Dana was in no mood for sex but Jack's persistence caused her to give in. Anything to get some sleep as Dana pretended to enjoy herself.

Looking over to her side, she was disgusted by the sight of the man that laid next to her.

Dana wondered how she could have ever been in love with a man like Jack..?

June 1991: The Mulders' Apartment

"Why did you buy this?" Fox Mulder stared at his wife, Diana Fowley-Mulder," I don't give anything to that man."

"I thought you might like to give your father a card, Fox. It's been so long since you were in touch with him... I just thought you might..."

"Don't do any thinking for me, Diana!! Not for that man!! Was there anything I had said to you to give you this idea that I wanted to do something for him?!!"

"He's your father, Fox, you shouldn't be..." Diana tried to convince him.

"FUCK HE's MY FATHER!!! DON'T FORCE ME TO DO THINGS I DON'T WANT TO DO, DIANA!!! YOU ARE NOT MY MOTHER!!! GET THAT THROUGH YOUR HEAD!!!"

"FINE!!" Diana took the card away and ripped it to shreds. Throwing the pieces onto the floor in front of him, she turned away from Fox, not wanting to be in the same room with him.

Ignoring the mess she left, Fox lifted the case that was sitting on the coffee table. Diving into his new passion, the X-Files consumed his time and desires. It was the one thing his wife shared with him at the beginning. Now it seemed to be tearing them apart.

His eyes feeling heavy from reading, Fox rested his head on the arm of the couch, still trying to read the case he held. Not knowing when it happened, Fox felt into a deep sleep.

Getting up from the couch, Fox stretched his body as he walked to the bedroom.

Seeing Diana sound asleep, his original idea was to crawl into bed with her and take in her warmth.

The idea suddenly made him sick.

Walking back to the living room, Fox again laid his body onto the leather couch. It was much more comfortable than the bed in the bedroom. It definitely felt more welcoming to him.

The last thought that came to Fox's mind was he wondered how he could love someone like Diana..?

January 1994: FBI Headquarters: Mulder's Office

"How are you, Dana?" Mulder had asked. He had not expected Scully to be in today.

"I'm fine, thank you." It took her a moment to answer him.

Never had Mulder called her by her first name since they had started working together. Despite her pain, his kind gesture had touched her heart.

"What are you working on?" Scully asked him.

As Mulder described the case, Scully stayed focused with him, trying to drill the pain away as much as possible.

Grabbing his coat, Mulder announced his travel plans.

"I'll go with you." Scully called to him.

Mulder stopped. He knew that Scully was denying her pain.

"The funeral is at noon..." Scully would not look at him.

"I think you should take some time," Mulder spoke softly.

"I need to work."

"I'm sorry about your father..." Reaching out to her, Mulder brought his right hand to her left cheek. The simple touch nearly caused Scully to lose control.

When he left, Scully searched through the file cabinet for the case she needed to see. Once it was in her hands, she read the title: 'Visionary Encounters W/ The Dead'. Suddenly she slammed the case back into the drawer.

Scully could not bring herself to believe what she saw the night her father died.

In the motel room that evening, Dana found it hard to sleep. Her mind on her father and the things she had seen was too much for her rational mind to take in.

When sleep finally claimed her, it was deep and peaceful from the world that surrounded her.

"Dana..." For the third time in few days, Mulder called her by her first name," ... after all you seen... all the evidence... why can't you believe?"

Sitting at his bedside, Scully let out a sigh," I'm afraid... I'm afraid to believe..."

"You couldn't face that fear? Even if it meant never knowing what your father wanted to tell you...?"

"But I do know."

"How?"

"He was my father..."

That night in the hospital, Mulder slept as best as he could. His thoughts of Dana Scully would not leave him even as his eyes became heavy with sleep.

A bit dazed and uncertain where he was, he spoke the first word that came to his mind.

"Dana..."

April 1995: Bill Mulder's Residence.

Mulder's actions against Skinner after the Assistant Director approached him concerning secret files that he had received from an individual known as the Thinker. They were files that Mulder himself could not understand due to the fact they were encrypted in Navajo language.

What caused him to lash out at Skinner with his fist, Mulder could not even explain to Scully. She even lied to protect him against charges of assault on a director.

His father's phone call was his way to escape all the things around him.

When he arrived at his father's home, Bill Mulder spoke of things that made no sense to his son. It was hard for Fox to tolerate his father's nonsense.

"It's... It's so clear now. Simple. It was so complicated then. The... The choices that needed to be made..." Bill Mulder rambled on.

"What choices? Dad?" Fox looked at him with confusion in his eyes.

"You're a smart boy, Fox... You're smarter than I ever was..."

"About what?"

"Your politics are yours, you've never thrown in. The minute you do that, their doctrines become yours and you can be held responsible."

"You're talking about your work in the state department."

"You're going to learn of things Fox, you're going to hear the words and they'll come to make sense to you."

"What words?"

"The merchandise..."

The sudden pain in his father's face and voice brought Fox to his side. Wanting to express his concern for him was cut short when his father excused himself to the bath and left his son alone.

Resting on the couch, Fox felt he could sleep. As his eyes closed, he was ready to give in... then he heard the gunshot!

Rushing to the bathroom, Fox found his father laying on the floor with blood on him. Fox brought his father close to him.

"Oh, Dad." Fox was in shock, even as he heard a car speed away from the house, he stayed with his father.

With the last of his energy, Bill Mulder stared into his son's eyes and said his last words.

"Forgive me..."

The next several days in Fox Mulder's life held without certainties.

He verbally assaulted Scully by accusing her of distrust, even as she was doing her best to prove his innocence of the murder of his father.

Even when she shot him in the shoulder to prevent him from killing Alex Krycek, she did this to save him of any further accusing actions.

"Mulder, Mulder, it's me. Here drink some of that, you haven't had any water in over 36 hours. Your shoulder is going to be fine. The round went through nice and clean," Scully assured him.

"YOU SHOT ME!!" Mulder frowned at her.

"Yes, I did. You didn't give me much choice, you were going to shoot Krycek..." Scully helped Mulder to lie on his back again.

"Why did you shoot me? He's the one!!"

"If he is, then his weapon is probably the same one that killed your father..."

"What are you talking about?"

"If you killed Krycek with that weapon there would have been no way to prove you didn't kill your father. I'm sorry about your father, Mulder. I haven't been able to tell you..."

Scully then revealed to Mulder of his water supply at his apartment building being tainted by powerful drugs causing his psychotic behavior.

She introduced him to Albert Hosteen, a Navajo who had been translating the files that were in Mulder's possession.

"You're lucky she's a good shot..." Albert smiled at him.

"Or a bad one..." Mulder looked at his bandaged shoulder.

It was then that Scully told him a shocking discovery.

"My name is in those files. It appears in the latest entries with Duane Barry's." Scully spoke to Mulder.

"In what context?"

"It's not clear, but it has something to do with a test. I want you to find out, Mulder. I need you to."

As Mulder moved on his quest without her, Dana Scully rested in her motel room. Exhausted from the many days of unrest soon consumed her.

She spoke the forbidden name.

"Fox..."

When Mulder did return to Scully, he had survived a near-death experience. His life was saved by Albert Hosteen and his people.

As he walked along the line of the spirit world, Fox spoke to soul of his father.

"Hello, son... I did not dare hope to see you so soon nor ever again hope to broker fate with a life to which I gave life."

"The lies I told you were a pox and poison to my soul and now you are here because of them. Lies I thought might bury forever... a truth I could not live with. I stand here, ashamed of the choices I made so long ago, when you were just a boy.

"You are the memory, Fox. It lives in you. If you were to die now, the truth will die. And only the lies survive us."

"My sister? Is she here?" Fox asked.

"No. The thing that would destroy me, the truth I felt you must never learn is the truth you will find if you are to go forward."

Uncertain if the images he had seen were real or a dream, Mulder moved forward with Dana Scully at his side. Once again left with more questions than answers were given.

Present Time

Moving away from the sea, Dana Scully and Fox Mulder walked beside each other. Their hands firmed in each others' hands. A feeling of protection surrounded them. Turning to look at one another brought a smile to each of their faces.

"Oh..." Dana gasped as her free hand went to her stomach.

"What's wrong?" Fox stopped them from walking as he brought his own hand over Dana's stomach.

"Nothing. It must be gas." Dana's smile reassured him.

"Well, make sure you are aiming in that direction," Fox pointed to the other side.

Sticking her tongue out at him, Dana moved forward to continue their walk, hand in hand.

San Diego

U.S. Lt. Commander William Scully, Jr. prepared to leave his home.

Sealing his duffel bag, he stared at the time on the wall as the morning still held onto the darkness of the night before.

He cleared his throat; they would be here soon.

Walking into the living room, his eyes fell upon the greeting card from his son. His young child had drawn him a Father's Day card, made of construction paper and with crayons.

Lifting it up, he felt the sudden flow of happiness his son had given to him. The love he felt for not only his child but for the woman who gave birth to their miracle was overwhelming.

Walking quietly upstairs to the bedroom, he peered in seeing his Tara sleeping peacefully with their son wrapped in her arms.

Despite the darkness it was an image he cherished beyond all. An image he wanted to hold on to.

Taking the steps as quietly as he could, Bill Scully bent down to give his love to his wife as he kissed her cheek, then gave the love to his son as well.

The happiness they had shared was ruined by the orders that were giving to him when the officer knocked on their door yesterday afternoon.

Unlike the previous missions he had been on many times in his career in the Navy, it was the one mission he had hoped would never come.

He had been warned a month ago that the time was soon near.

At one time he would have been enlivened by the new journey he was to take for his country. Yet, his encounters by the men in the suits had not been as he had expected.

Four months would go by and the few meetings he would attend had lost his interest until the hated name of Fox Mulder was mentioned.

"It is best that you make friends with him...." One of the men in the suits had suggested," After all he will be a part of your sister's life forever."

"What do you care about it. Sir?" Bill Scully, Jr. resented this man's advise.

Lifting the cigarette from his mouth, the ancient smile came across his face," You know the old saying,'Keep your friends close, your enemies closer... 'For Fox Mulder is a man you best keep an eye on..."

It had been a suggestion he had failed at.

When Bill was taken from the airport after his doomed visit to his mother's, he was glad that his family had not been there to watch him being walked out like a criminal who committed the worst crime. Yet, their steps were unnoticed by the public that walked by them.

The drive was silent until they drove to the building where he was to meet the man who had called for him.

Alex Krycek walked from the shadows and stood before Bill Scully, Jr.

They were silent for a moment as the two stared upon each other.

Bill Scully had only met this Krycek once and knew that he disapproved of the group's choice in him. Still, Krycek had remained in the background. He was a silent player behind the other men.

"My..." Alex Krycek reached for Bill's sore face," Mulder must really hate you..." He turned Bill's head examining the fresh bruises and stitched bottom lip," I'm jealous."

Bill pulled his face away, not liking this man's hand on him.

"What do you want?" Bill tried to hide his fear from Krycek," I missed my flight, asshole. This better be good..."

Suddenly feeling his body slam against the wall, Krycek forced his weight upon Bill Scully.

"Don't think I wouldn't want to finish what Mulder had started on you. You're weak... bottom of the barrel. The Group has fallen on hard times when they turn to a loser like you. I am here to give you a message."

"A message? You waste my fuckin' time for this? FUCK WHATEVER YOU WANT TO GIVE ME!!! FUCK ALL of YOU!!! I DON'T WANT ANYMORE of THIS!!! YOU AND YOUR GROUP CAN GO TO FUCKIN' HELL!!!"

"We all know that's where we are going, and so are you. It's too late for you, Scully, too late for you to back away. What little you know is enough to keep you in, enough to know that you are now one of us."

"I won't be a part to this anymore. There is nothing you or those other fuckheads can do to me to stop me from leaving."

"What of your wife and child? Is that enough to keep you in your place?"

"What? What the hell are you talking about?"

"What makes you think the group has not given itself some insurance against you. An insurance that will protect your family. So long as you stay in your place."

"You... you can't threaten me!!

"Oh, we already have." Krycek let him go as Bill's body slumped down halfway," I am here only to let you know that the time is near. The things you will soon know. The mission you will be called upon. That will complete your circle in the group... know that it won't be long..."

Hearing the knock on his front door, Bill Scully, Jr. folded his son's greeting card and slipped it into his pocket as he grabbed his duffel bag and walked out into the darkness.

Disclaimer: The characters of the X-Files do not belong to me. They are the property of Chris Carter, 1013 Productions and Fox Broadcasting. No copyright infringement is intended.

Summary:

This story is loosely based on the episode,'Amor Fati', not everything will be the same or dealt with. Though Mulder will still dream that fantasy life, and the situation with Krycek and Skinner remains the same, the changes were made to fit into my storyline. Some of the dialogue has changed. These events took place before the 'Dreams and Birthdays' story.

Big kisses to whomever wrote the boy into the plot.

A Hospital

She had kept her distance.

She did it to protect her child.

Save him from the dangers she knew.

No matter how hard she put something away, her child always reached for it.

The guilt she felt as she watched her baby lying in the hospital bed as the doctor's explained his condition.

The guilt she felt for everything she had done to him.

She could not stand to hear it anymore.

She had been promised that he would not stay this way forever.

Another chance would be given to him.

By the man she once loved.

The man who was her son's father.

She couldn't stand to look at him anymore.

As she left the room, she could not hear her son calling her, begging her to come back and not leave him alone once more.

The argument she had with the doctor, forcing them to release her son to her care.

She knew where he was going he would be saved.

Again she trusted her child with his father.

Again she let go of her son's hand.

"Teena..." He spoke to her as he removed his cigarette from his mouth," It's best that you now go home... We'll take care of everything..."

"But... he may want me... I... I have so much to tell him..."

"Teena..." The man moved up to her and touched her cheek," It's best that you forget everything..."

Her mind suddenly went blank.

Her thoughts were rearranged.

She walked down the hallway, believing she had visited a dying friend.

A friend who died in her arms, just like her aunt did a few months ago.

She did not need to be here anymore.

Her only thought was to go home.

The Dream.

He felt lost.

He was unsure of the reasons for him being here.

Of a world, he did not belong to.

Of a life that felt so false to the truth he had once known.

From a distance, he saw a young boy walking toward him, but the sudden light blinded him. Pulling him away, until he felt someone take his hand.

The boy now stood before him, his small hand in his. Fox Mulder stared upon the boy only to see his young face staring back at him.

"It's beautiful, isn't it...?" The child smiled at him.

"Very beautiful... I always loved the beach..."

"It is so beautiful, but like many things it hides many secrets... Secrets that you can't always trust..." The boy bent down and grabbed a fist full of sand," Secrets that can be blown away like the wind..." The child let the sand pour from his small hand," Secrets that are sometimes best to be left alone..."

The boy gripped his hand tighter, feeling the love passing through him.

"You do not belong here, Fox... All that will stand before you will be a lie... A lie that keeps you away from the truth... A lie that keeps you from not moving forward... Forcing you off your path... A lie that keeps you away from her.

Suddenly the light came back.

The memory of the boy was gone.

Albert Hosteen lied on the hospital bed with a tube and wires invading his body.

Forcing him to live on even with his ancestors calling him. Telling him to crossover for the new journey that awaited him.

"Mr. Hosteen...?" a voice called to him.

Albert Hosteen opened his eyes to a figure that stood before him that he recognized.

The man, Albert Hosteen knew, moved up to him and removed the tube from his mouth for him to speak.

Feeling himself breathing on his own, Albert Hosteen found his voice," You are the FBI agent?"

"No... I'm not Fox Mulder... My name is Aaron... I have come to ask for your help..."

"How can I help you? My body... is not young. My strength has left me..."

"Your mortal form is weak... dying... Your spirit moves forward and back... Ready to crossover... To be free of the body... but still connected... It is not something I would wish on anyone..."

"No... To be so close... To be free... I am a prisoner of technology. These chains weigh heavy on my heart."

"It is the technology that will bring doom... Mr. Hosteen... your body... can no longer help you... But your spirit walks between the lines... Your voice can be heard in great distances... I need you to speak with her.

Albert Hosteen stared deep into the young man's eyes," I now know who you are and I am honored..."

The young man brought his head down feeling embarrassed," Please, Mr. Hosteen..? Please help my mother..."

Albert Hosteen smiled at the young man as he felt himself lifting from his earthly plane.

The Dream.

In front of him, he saw a young boy playing in the sand. Trying hard to build a castle, but the waves kept washing it away.

"Oh... Hey, buddy, it's OK..." Fox bent down to the boy's side," You can build it again... Just start again..."

"OK..." The boy took his hand but the child's sad eyes turned away," ... but it keeps falling down... The water won't let it stay..."

"Well... you just need to go to a higher ground..."

"It won't work there either... The wind will blow it away..." The boy suddenly burst into tears.

Fox reached over and hugged the boy tight. Engulfing the child close to him.

"You're going the wrong way, Fox..." The boy cried into his chest," Aren't you ever coming back...?"

Feeling the boy pulling away from him, Fox held tight to his hand. He expected to see the boy in front of him, but what he saw made his heart leap.

"Aren't you ever coming back to me...?" Dana asked as she let go of his hand.

The dream disappeared.

The Lie.

Standing up with his hands still handcuffed, he did not wonder how he had removed his hospital gown or how he had managed to pull his pajama bottoms up.

Only the sight of a woman in the doorway had his attention and reminded him only for a moment of the woman he had left behind.

"Hundreds of little joys... to open a door and have a woman beckon you in... to have her make a fire and lay the table for you and when it's late... to feel her take you into her arms..." Diana Fowley purred as she released him from his bondage.

Her hand caressed his chest... stirring old emotions within him... remembering the time when this woman was his wife.

When he had once longed to embrace her. To make love to her as he once did when their feelings were new and exciting.

Her touch had never before brought such a sudden arousal from him. He could not hold back much longer when his lips met hers.

Placing the large book in the envelope, the bearded man left it for delivery within the FBI Headquarters.

Once the task was done, he walked toward Walter Skinner's office.

Sitting in the basement office, Dana Scully dialed each number carefully.

She had watched Fox Mulder dial this phone number almost every weekend.

He never gave up.

No matter what the woman had done to him, Fox still wanted to call his mother.

It was never easy to watch. Each time when he hung up the phone his head would hang and he would move away before Dana could reach him.

Not wanting her to feel sorry for him, Fox would find something else for them to talk about, anything except for his mother.

It did not surprise Dana when she received Mrs. Mulder's answering service. Wanting to tell the foul woman more, Dana held her tongue and asked if Mrs. Mulder would give her a call back.

When she received the package during her call, Dana Scully felt the weight of the envelope. Her curiosity was there when she opened it.

Diana Fowley stood over the unconscious Fox Mulder caressing his cheek.

"Don't think of the man... Think of the sacrifice he's making for all of us... for the world..." The Cigarette Smoking Man spoke.

"It would've been nice to give him a choice," Diana Fowley said.

"You don't think Mulder would've chosen this? To become the thing he sought for so long? To feel what it's like? He is what he sought."

"We'll never know..."

"Besides, his task is almost complete. The burden, will be carried by another..." The Cigarette Smoking Man turned away.

The Dream.

"Wow!! What did you make?" Fox Mulder called to the boy.

"An unidentified flying object..." The boy hopped down to him.

Suddenly the boy began to kick his creation of sand.

"Hey... hey!! What are... what are you doing? Why... why are you destroying your spaceship?"

"It's your spaceship... You're destroying it..." The boy pounded his fist into the sand," You were supposed to help me!!" The boy threw the sand at him," You're supposed to help all of us!"

Looking passed the boy, Fox Mulder saw three other children. Two boys and a young girl were on the other side of the spaceship, kicking it away.

"It's no point in keeping it if you're not going to help us!!" The oldest of the boys cried out," What good is it..?! If you keep us from our destiny!! If you keep us from not helping the world... What good is it..? When we are all going to be dead!!"

The oldest boy threw sand at Fox Mulder pushing him away from the dream.

Diana Fowley walked into the apartment building to fulfill her task.

Her job was to return him back to the world where he belonged.

Though she hated this woman, she knew that the woman would help him.

The woman would take care of him, until the day Diana would return for him.

For when that day would come, they would be together and nothing would keep them apart.

She spoke of her love for him still, though there was no one to hear it.

She was now alone when she pushed the envelope under the door.

The Truth.

Waiting for death to claim him, what came through the door had awaken him.

For a moment, he could not believe with his old eyes. The one person who he loved throughout the years in silence. The one person his heart ached for.

"Oh, Dana! I knew you would come... They told me you were dead..." An old Fox Mulder begged her to his side.

"And you believed them..? Traitor," Her voice was bitter as she allowed him to take her arm.

"What...?"

"Deserter. Coward. Heartbreaker."

"Dana, don't... I'm dying..." An old Fox Mulder cried.

"You're not supposed to die, Fox... not here."

"What do you mean?"

"Not in a comfortable bed with the devil outside..."

"No, you don't understand... He's taking care of me..."

"No, Fox, he's lulled you to sleep... He's made you trade your true mission for creature comforts..."

"There was no mission... There were no aliens..."

"No aliens? Have you looked outside, Fox?"

"I can't... I'm... too tired..."

"What...you are giving up, Fox... Not just my heart and love... but the future... A future that can fight... You must get up. You must get up and fight... Not just for the future but for yourself...This isn't your place. Get up, Fox... Get up and fight the fight."

Pulling away from him, Dana Scully disappeared.

"Dana... Where's Dana? Dana? Dana!!" An old Fox Mulder cried.

Dana Scully entered the DOD medical room after she slipped the card through and the light flashed green.

Everyone was gone except for the one figure lying with his arms stretched out and his head bandaged.

She moved up to him, her fingers caressing the side of his head.

"Fox..." Dana Scully whispered. "Fox, you've got to wake up. I've got to get you out of here. Fox, can you understand me?"

His eyelids flickered with his mind screaming.

"Fox, you've got to get up," Dana cried," I don't know how much time we have. You've got to get up, Fox."

His screams pulled him forward. The dream was fading.

"No one can do it but you, Fox... Fox, help me. Please, Fox..." Dana pleaded with him.

A tear rolled down her cheek and onto his face, Dana let herself fall onto his shoulder crying when Fox opened his eyes.

"You... help... me..." His raw voice spoke.

Once again, his son was safe.

The burden, as he said was no longer his son's.

Though he at first chosen himself to carry on for his son, he had decided that it was best for another to do the task.

A chance to let the other redeem himself in the eyes of his father.

Looking down at the sleeping man, he smiled and was glad that his gunshot did not kill his other son.

A Week Later

Dana Scully entered her apartment.

The first thing she saw was Fox Mulder adjusting the baseball cap she had bought for him. A sure sign he was going to make an escape.

"Fox!! I don't believe you?! I can't leave you alone for a minute..." Dana moved up to him and reached for his cap.

Being careful of his bandaged head, Dana handed the cap back to him.

"Hey, Dana... I... I was planning on going to the office to visit you..."

"Fat chance... You know you need to rest. Don't think I won't ask my mother to baby-sit you again..."

"Mom doesn't need to that... You know I feel better..." Fox suddenly took her hand," Dana... I received a call that Albert Hosteen died last night in New Mexico... He had been in a coma for two weeks... There is no way he could have been in this apartment..."

"He was here!! We prayed together!! Fox, I don't believe that!! I don't believe it!! It's impossible!!" Dana shook her head at him.

"Is it anymore impossible than what you saw in Africa..? What you saw in me...?" Fox asked.

Dana brought her head down, shaking it. The stress of the events for the last few weeks had reached its limits with her.

"I don't know what to believe anymore... Fox, we were so determined to find a cure to save you... but I could not deny what it was that I saw... and now... I don't even know... I don't know... I don't know what the truth is... I don't know who to listen to... I don't know who to trust..."

Standing silently together, Dana had her own news to tell Fox.

"Diana Fowley is gone, Fox..."

"What do mean...?"

"She has not reported to work in over a week... her phone lines are dead... her apartment is empty... No one saw her move or leave... Fox, I never trusted her... but it was her key that led me to you... If anything she helped me save you..."

Dana moved up to Fox and embraced him. Her tears had escaped her as she once again felt the relief of knowing that Fox was safe. That he was no longer gone or in danger. Still she felt the need to touch him, to know that he was there and he was not a dream.

Fox encased Dana to him. He could not remember everything that had happened to him. When he was taken to the hospital or how he was kidnapped. He could only remember Walter Skinner, Michael Kritschgau and Dana visiting him.

What words Diana Fowley had shared with him were no more.

He did not remember his mother being there, Dana did not tell him. She did not want him to be hurt anymore by his mother.

Whatever images Fox had seen or dreamt were gone. If there were any truths revealed, he had lost it.

The only truth that Fox had was Dana.

The Afterlife.

He felt his soul reborn.

Each step brought new discoveries and joy to his heart.

It was not long before he came to the field of Life.

"Mr. Hosteen..." a voice called to him.

Recognizing the soul that called him, a smile came across his face.

"It is good to see you..." the soul of Albert Hosteen spoke.

"It is good to see you as well..." the soul of Aaron Mulder spoke," I understand you will be crossing over..."

"Yes... It is time for me to start a new life... A new road I will take..."

"One that I hope will cross ours... A friendship I hope we will have..."

"It will be unusual life..."

"What life is not unusual..." the soul of Aaron laughed.

"AARON!!" a voice boomed from behind him. Turning to the source, the soul of Aaron stared at his older brother's soul.

"Let's move it, Butthead!!" the soul of David Mulder called out.

"David... this is Mr. Hosteen... He is crossing over today..."

"Great... I can tell he's going to be a real pisser... Aaron, it's time again..."

"Our Father needs us, Mr. Hosteen... The road he is to take... he is still unsure..."

"He will not recognize you...?"

"Well... fathers are a little different than mothers..." the soul of Aaron Mulder smiled as he turned away.

The soul of Albert Hosteen watched the two souls disappear from his sight.

Looking across the field, the soul of Albert Hosteen was no more as a soul of man crossed over to begin his new journey on the road of Life.

Summary:

August 2000: St. John's Church

A woman sat alone in the church.

Though there was no service, the woman had come to give thanks for the blessing she received.

Her eyes on the huge cross of Jesus above the altar, reminded the many worshipers of the sacrifice he made for the world.

Resting her hands on her stomach, the woman could never give enough thanks for the miracle inside of her.

A Few Days Earlier: New Mexico- Sheriff Office

Finding the nearest bathroom, Dana Scully could not hold herself as she released the context of her stomach into the toilet bowl.

Fox Mulder stood outside the women's bathroom. His concern for his partner was obvious on his face.

"Are you all right in there, Scully?" Mulder spoke as loud as he could.

"I'm fine, Mulder... I'll be out in a moment..." Scully called back.

'Fine my ass... 'Mulder thought to himself.

For the last few days, Dana had been ill to her stomach. Blaming the warmer weather, she would assure Fox she was all right. It was nothing too serious to keep her from not doing her job.

Her being a doctor, Fox was certain Dana knew what her illness was. By pretending she was fine was a way to keep him from not worrying, a ploy that never worked.

Rinsing her mouth out, Dana wiped her lips clean. She almost didn't make in time. This had to be the worst one yet. Rechecking in her mind of the possibilities of what could be causing her condition.

"I beg your pardon?"

"Oh, I'm sorry... that's what I get for assuming things. I thought maybe you might be suffering from morning sickness, though it's not morning anymore... but I remember it hitting me anytime of the day..."

"Morning sickness...?" It was the one thing that did not cross Dana's mind.

Early Evening: A Shopping Center.

"Where are you going?!" Mulder called out to her in surprise.

Scully had been acting weird since they left the Sheriff's office a few hours ago.

A few times, Mulder would catch her smiling to herself as both her hands rested on her stomach. Believing she was having pains from her illness, he would ask Scully again if she was all right only to hear her say," I'm fine, Mulder..." and her smile would increase.

Watching her walk to the drugstore in the shopping area where they were, Mulder immediately followed her. Assuming she was buying medicine for her sickness, if he knew what Scully was purchasing, it would give him an idea how ill she was.

As soon as he entered the large drugstore, Mulder had lost her. Reading the signs above the aisle, he located the section for stomach pains, but there was no Scully to be found.

"Scully!!" Mulder finally decided to call her out instead of running from aisle to aisle.

"I'm over here, Mulder..." Turning around to see Scully at the beginning of the aisle he was in, Mulder walked over to her.

"I told you I would be right back, Mulder..." Scully looked at him crossly.

"You know, I'm getting really tired of your bullshitting, Dana... I want you to tell me what is wrong with you?!!" Fox demanded.

"I think this might be it..." Dana lifted the box she was holding to show to him.

His mouth dropped and his eyes became large, Fox Mulder did not need his reading glasses to see the print on the box that stated itself as a pregnancy test.

Scully's Motel Room

Fox Mulder paced up and down in front of the bathroom door unable to contain his excitement.

"Are you almost done in there, Dana?" Fox banged on the door.

"I'm almost done, Fox..." Dana called back.

"Don't look at the results without me!! I wanna us to see them together!!"

"All right, Fox..." Dana finally opened the door to come out, leaving the test on the bathroom counter.

"How long do we have to wait?" Fox asked.

"Five minutes... These new pregnancy tests are incredible... The last time I used one, I had to wait until the morning to try it out..."

"What do you mean... had to try? How long ago...?" Fox's thoughts brought up the images of Jack Willis and Daniel Waterston .

"When I was going to the university... the guy was dating... I thought... but I wasn't..."

"Oh.. OK... So, how do we know? Pink..? Blue..? Not red or green... then I'm really not going to know..."

"Very simple... either a positive sign or a negative sign..." Dana showed him the directions on the box.

"Well, I'm rooting for the positive sign... What about you...?"

"Positive..." Dana smiled as she brought her arms around him.

Waiting for the time to pass, Fox fidgeted around Dana who sat perfectly still on the bed trying to watch television.

"Fox!! Will you sit down?! You are making me nervous!!" Dana shouted.

"I'm sorry..." Fox apologized as he sat next to her on the bed.

Even there, Fox could not sit still. Throwing his body onto the bed, he would check his watch several times. With his fingers either dancing across the mattress or playing close to his mouth, Fox Mulder found the time going too slow for his liking.

Five minutes was too fuckin' long!!!

Looking at her watch, Dana patted him on the leg.

"OK, Fox... it's time..." Together, they hurried off to the bathroom.

Standing before the test, both of them were hesitant to look, fearing the news would not be good.

"You...you pick it up... I-I don't think I can hold it..." Fox stuttered as his hands shook.

Bringing the container close enough for them to see, Dana nearly bumped into Fox's head as they took a good look at the test.

"That's a positive, isn't it, Dana...?" Fox was afraid to trust his own eyesight.

"Yes..."

"So... it means you're pregnant...?"

"Yes..."

"You're pregnant!!"

"YES!!"

Throwing their arms around one another as the joy escaped their lips. The excitement of their hearts caused them to dance and jump where they stood. Sharing the moment with each other... until Fox realized what they were doing.

"DON'T JUMP!!" He yelled at Dana.

Not taking any notice to the volume of his voice, Dana rested on his chest. Her smile beamed the happiest all over her body.

"Oh, Fox... I'm pregnant... I really am pregnant!!! Oh, God, I can't believe it... It's a miracle!!!"

'Oh, it's a miracle..." Fox brought his face down to kiss Dana on the lips.

For a moment, they stood together keeping each other tight with their embrace. Both absorbing the knowledge of the test result.

They were to be parents.

Inside of Dana was growing their child.

The future, the world would one day see.

"Oh, God... I just can't believe it..." Dana finally spoke.

Her tear ridden face looked up at Fox and find his face mirroring her own. Smiling at him, Dana lifted her hand to wipe the tears away from him.

"Let's get married..." Fox whispered.

"We're going to..."

"No... I mean now. Let's get married tonight..."

"Tonight..? But Fox, we're still on assignment!"

"We're not far from Las Vegas... We can fly out tonight... get married and be back before anyone would notice... Please, Dana, marry me tonight...?"

"But, Fox... I don't know... I mean... We finally sent the invitation out last week!!"

"So... it will be a New Year's Eve party instead... please, Dana..? Let's get married now... Don't make me wait anymore..."

"But... my dress, Fox... I wanted to wear my dress..."

"Not to be mean, Dana... but I don't think that dress will fit you around January..." Fox gestured with his hand outlining a large belly around Dana's middle.

Not quite sure how far she was into her pregnancy, Dana could only guess that she must be around six weeks pregnant.

By the time January did come around, none of her regular clothes would fit her at all.

Picturing herself in that condition, brought her smile back.

"I'm going to look so pregnant in January..."

"Yeah... you will be so perfect to play Santa this year..."

The cruel remark deserved a smack on the shoulder which Dana gave to him. Being too happy to be hurt by it, Dana hugged Fox again.

The idea seemed so right. Learning that she was pregnant and being near the one city that they could be married in without delay was a God-sent to Dana.

"Now can we get married...?" Fox asked.

McCarran International Airport: Near Midnight.

"See? I told you it wouldn't take us too long. We'll be back in New Mexico before sunrise."

Deciding not to rent a car, Fox Mulder halted a taxi to take them into Las Vegas.

"Where to, Folks?" The taxi driver asked.

"Where there are wedding chapels..." Fox answered.

Driving through the heavy traffic of the city that never sleeps both Dana and Fox were mesmerized by the colors and lights that surrounded them. The seas of bodies of many ages and ethnics blended into one society, all seeking the pleasures and riches the city of sins offered them. No matter how many times the two agents had been here in their lives, the unique beauty and wonder of Las Vegas had left them in awe.

Being dropped off in an area where one chapel stood next to another, a variety of places were available for couples who were in love.

"Pick any one you want, Dana..." Fox made the offer.

Carefully observing each chapel, Dana found choosing one over the other was much easier than expected.

"Fox, a lot of these chapels are closed..."

"What about that one..." Fox pointed over her head.

The flashing sign of 'The Red Heart Lovers Chapel' burned through the night, as a few other couples were coming and going from the small chapel.

"Cute..." Dana smiled at him. Thank goodness, Fox didn't mention anything about being married by an Elvis impersonator.

"Maybe they got an Elvis impersonator who can marry us... that will be sooo cool..." Fox took Dana's hand leading the way.

Entering the chapel, Dana gasped at the sight before her.

The reception area was overly decorated with bright red and white cardboard hearts flowing from the ceiling on strings. Red and pink wallpaper was striped vertically on the walls of the room they were in. Spend wildly and wrapped around two large plants, red, pink and white lights blinked at different speeds. The rug beneath them had different color hearts woven in every space.

"This place got 'hearts', honey..." Fox smiled at her.

"Evening, young lovers... How can I help you?" An elderly overdressed hostess with too much makeup on and whose hair nearly touched the ceiling, greeted them.

"We wanna get married..." Fox grinned away, hoping he wouldn't start laughing.

"Well, you came to the right place... We have many different packages for your wedding dreams," The hostess announced to them.

"Well, actually, we don't want anything fan..." Dana leaned over to the hostess.

"Wait a minute... let's see what they have?" Fox stopped her," Got any Elvis minister?"

"Well, darling... for a prepackaged plan, we can arrange for an Elvis minister but I take it you two are in a hurry..."

"Yes, we are..." Dana smiled at the lady.

"Well, you are in luck... we are available to perform a ceremony at 2:00 A.M.... Will that work for the both of you?"

"Wow!! Two o'clock?" Dana frowned, she worried about getting back to New Mexico.

"Two o'clock is fine..." Fox stared at Dana nodding his head.

Agreeing with him, Dana nodded back," Two o'clock..."

Taking their names down, the hostess explained their many package deals to them.

Studying the list of options, Fox pointed to each of the items that interested him.

"Let's have it videotaped for our moms..." Fox suggested.

"Oh, God... my mom is going to kill us!!" Dana cringed.

"It will be worth it..." Fox smiled.

"Is there any special music you would like to have?" The elder lady asked.

"Do you have 'Joy to the World' by Three Dog Night?" Dana asked back.

"Come on, Dana..." Fox frowned at the idea of that song despite the special meaning it had for them both.

"I want it..." Dana crossed her arms.

Seeing it was best to give in, Fox turned back to the hostess," Do you have it?"

"As a matter of fact we do..." The hostess chuckled. She was amused how easily the redhead had won.

Many of the things offered by the chapel were not to Dana's liking. The one thing that caught her eye and disgust was the renting of wedding dresses and evening gowns. They even offered tuxedos for the men to rent.

Regretting she couldn't wear her lovely pinkish, Dana suddenly lifted her head as her eyes grew wide.

"Fox!! We don't have any wedding rings!!" Dana suddenly remembered.

"We'll go across the street... There's a jewelry place that's opened... I saw the 24 hours sign..." Fox said calmly.

"You have got to be kidding..."

"Nope... I'll let you pick them... maybe even pay for them..." He joked.

As they continued to go over the list of items, the hostess interrupted," May I have your marriage license?"

Both of them looked up at the elder lady.

"License...?" Fox responded, surprised that they forgot the most important thing.

"Oh, my God! We forgot about the license!! How could we forget about the license?!" Dana shouted.

"Can't get married without a license..." The hostess informed them.

"Shit!!" Fox exclaimed," We'll get one... We're not leaving this town until we're married!!"

"That's the spirit!!" The elder lady piped in," The court office opens at eight in the morning..."

"Oh, no..." Dana spoke.

"Had you got here a bit earlier... you could have had your license already... The court office closes at midnight..." The hostess added.

"Oh, no... we can't do it..." Dana was disappointed.

"Yes, we can..." Fox was demanded.

"No!! We have to get back to New Mexico!! You promise me we would be back before sunrise, Fox. For God's sake, we're in the middle of an investigation!!"

"Will you just relax, Dana... Please?" Fox brought his hand onto her stomach," Look...we only have to wait... seven hours..."

"Seven hours!!"

"We'll check into a motel, get some sleep... and tomorrow morning we'll get our license..."

"NO... NO!! We have to go back to New Mexico!!" Dana shook her head," We have a job to do, Fox!! An X-File... remember? We can get married after we are done with the case... We should have done that in the first place..."

"NO!! I want us to get married now!! We're not going back until we do!!"

"Fine... you stay... I'm going back to New Mexico..." With that, Dana Scully stormed out of the chapel leaving a stunned Fox Mulder behind.

Looking at the hostess, Fox immediately followed after Dana.

"DO COME BACK SOON!!" The elder hostess shouted out.

"Dana, wait!!!" Fox caught up with her as she stood waving down a taxi," Dana, just wait a minute..."

"No... I'm going back to New Mexico, Fox... You can stay here and marry yourself..."

"Come on... don't be that way!!!"

"NO!! I am not kidding, Fox!! We left an investigation!! No one knows where we are!! For God's sake, there is a woman dead!! Fox, there are times that our own personal desires cannot interfere with our responsibility to our jobs, you of all people should know that..."

"Well, if you felt that way... why did you agree to come?!!"

"Because I want to marry you!!" Dana shouted at him," I don't want to wait until New Year's Eve, either... I'm sorry I ever brought that up!! I wish we had gotten married the day you proposed!!"

"Then let's stay and get married then... Please, Dana? I'm not being heartless to the woman who died... but just once can't we just do something for ourselves...?"

"Fox..." Dana brought herself up to him, her hands now in his," There will always be times we can do things for ourselves... I can't get married this way... I wouldn't be able to live with myself... if something came up, some evidence that could have been discovered because we weren't there... I can't live with the woman's death on my conscience... I really believe if we were able to get married and be back within a few hours... it sound so right... I can't believe we forgot about the license..."

Turning his head to the side, Fox felt the frustration of the dilemma. Driven by what was the right thing to do and how his emotions craved to fulfill his heart's desire, Fox's eyes returned to the woman he loved.

"Let's go back to New Mexico, Fox... Complete the investigation... then we'll come back... You're not getting away from me so easily..." Dana smiled at him.

A Few Days Later: Maggie Scully's Home

"Hi, Mom, it's Dana!!" Maggie heard her daughter over five hours ago on the phone.

"Hi, Dana... What is it, Sweetie...?" Maggie noticed the excitement in her voice.

"Mom, are you going to be home this evening? I was wondering if Fox and I can stop by and visit you tonight?"

"Yes, I'll be home... What is it, Dana? You sound so excited..."

"Well... yeah... but I want to tell you in person, Mom... So, we'll see you about seven o'clock?"

"Seven is fine, Dana... Can't you just give me a hint...?"

"Bye, Mom!!" Dana hung up quickly.

Setting the dinner table, Maggie's mind twirled with the many possibilities. The one thing that would not leave her was the chance Dana could be pregnant. She prayed every night for God to give Dana the blessing once more.

Hearing the doorbell, Maggie rushed to answer it and was greeted by a kiss from Fox Mulder.

"Hi, Mom..." Fox pulled away to let Dana come through and hugged her mother tight.

"All right... I want to know now!!" Maggie pulled away from Dana," What is it that you wanted to tell me?!"

"Mom, I'm pregnant!!" Dana smiled.

"Oh, My God!!" Maggie rushed to hug her daughter again," Oh, thank God, oh, thank God!!! Oh, Dana!!"

Both mother and daughter started jumping with delight, sending an overprotected Fox into a frenzy.

"DON'T JUMP!!!"

Pulling Fox into the hug, Maggie wrapped her arms around both of them. Her heart filled with gratitude to the Good Lord for answering her prayers.

"How far along are you?" Maggie asked.

"I'm not sure... but I have doctor's appointment this Wednesday, then we will know for certain..."

"Oh, Dana... Fox!! Are you happy, Sweetie..?!" Maggie grabbed Fox by face.

"I'm very happy!!" Fox answered her as best as he could because Maggie had a tight squeeze on his cheeks.

"Mom, we have one more thing to tell you..." Dana interrupted.

"What?" Nothing could be grander than the news Maggie just heard.

"Fox and I were married yesterday..."

'WHAT?!!"

Showing her their wedding rings, Fox and Dana smiled at her only to see the look of disapproval all over Maggie's face.

"I can't believe you two did this!! How could you get married without the family?!"

"Well... uh... we had it videotaped..." Fox couldn't seem to find anything to say.

"Mom, we wanted to get married... This really was the best way for us... not that big wedding we were planning..."

"The invitations have already gone out!! People have already made plans!! What a selfish thing you two did!!"

Fox felt his body cringing at the harshest of Mother Scully's voice, but Dana merely shook her head.

"You would think you would be more upset the opposite way... We're married now, Mom... the best way... and we got it all on video!!" Dana's smile never faded as she passed her mother waving the videotape she pulled out of her purse.

"You think just popping a tape into the video machine will make up for what you two have done?!! Did it ever bother either of you two that I would have loved to have seen with my own eyes the two of you marrying?!! DID YOU?!!" Maggie shouted the last part of the sentence right at Fox who tried to pass her by.

With his shoulders hunched, Fox tried to make himself small from Mother Scully's rage. Even at his age, Fox hated to be scolded.

Placing the tape in the VCR, Dana patted the seat next her to on the couch.

"Come on, Mom, you don't want to miss the beginning..."

"What difference does it make?! I missed EVERYTHING!!!" Maggie shouted again at Fox when he sat on the armchair. Again, trying to make himself small, Fox wished he could just disappear.

Dana reached over and grabbed her mother by the arm," Sit down, Mom... I don't want you to miss a thing..."

"You two should have thought of that earlier..." Maggie eyed Dana who never once looked at her, then moved onto Fox who couldn't bring his head down any further.

At the beginning of the videotape in bold colorful letters, the name,'Red Heart Lovers Chapel' blazed across the television screen.

"How nice of you two to give them advertisement..." Maggie sneered.

This time, Fox refused to look at her. Keeping his eyes on the television, he and Dana had watched the videotape several times in the last 24 hours. Even at work today, they spent more time viewing their wedding over and over again then dealing with the paperwork they needed to file.

The picture started out fuzzy as it beamed clear onto Fox who stood wearing his dark blue suit near the altar. Waving at the camera, Fox mouthed,'Hi, Mom!' before the music started. As requested,'Joy to the World' played on the keyboard in the background with Dana marching down the aisle alone.

Dressed in her business suit that was the same color as Fox's, Dana held onto a bouquet of white roses that displayed beautifully in her hands.

"My goodness, Dana... I must need new glasses, that pink dress of yours looks black to me..." Maggie added an insult.

Standing side by side, Dana looped her free arm around Fox's as they stood before the Minster. Their smiles to each other brought out the glee between them.

"You look beautiful..." Fox could be heard on the tape.

Dana mouthed something back to him when the Minster began the ceremony.

"We are gathered here today..." The Minster's southern accent was loud and clear," ... It is not often when true love can be found. Fox and Dana had found it together through the many years of their friendship... A friendship that still continues in love... Love that has no boundaries and is endless like the sky..."

"He asked us some questions before the ceremony..." Dana explained to her mother.

"Quiet!!" Maggie hushed her.

"... Fox William Mulder... Do you take Dana Katherine Scully as your wife?"

The camera beamed in on Fox waiting for his answer. He gave Dana a huge smile," I do!"

"... Dana Katherine Scully... Do you take Fox William Mulder as your husband?"

Giving the smile right back, Dana answered," You bet I do!!!"

Gesturing to them, the Minster instructed them to place the rings on each other's fingers. Fox managed to slip Dana's on even with his hand shaking.

"I'll get it on, don't worry!!" Fox laughed as those around him laughed with him.

Once her ring was on, Dana took Fox's left hand and carefully slipped his ring onto his finger. Her eyes looked upon him with her smile never leaving him.

"By the powers invested in me, and by the state of Nevada... I now pronounce you husband and wife. Go on and kiss her!!"

Fox brought himself down to reach Dana as she stood with her head tilted back when their lips embraced, not wanting to separate.

"Save that for the bedroom!!" a voice shouted off camera.

Again there was laughter as Mr. and Mrs. Fox Mulder finally parted from their kiss.

The video faded as the Minster congratulated them both.

For a moment there was silence in the room. Dana never stopped smiling as she turned toward her mother. Fox looked up but remained in a hunch position, hoping not to be yelled at again.

Finally, Maggie spoke," Is this copy mine?"

"Yes, it is, Mom... We Fed-Ex a copy to Mrs. Mulder before we came here... but we wanted you to be the first one to know and see it..."

Lifting her body forward, Maggie remained silent as she kept her eyes down. Waiting for her to respond to the video, left Fox anxious but Dana seemed to remain calm.

"I'm only going to say this once..." Maggie looked at them," I'm very upset with the both of you for getting married without any of us present. It was selfish not wanting to share such a special occasion with the family... You both will be explaining yourselves to each one of them... As for the wedding... it was beautiful and I hate both of you for not letting me be there!!"

Covering her mouth with her hand, Maggie cried. Dana reached over to hug her. Following her lead, Fox moved to the other side of Maggie hugging her as well.

"Come on, Mom..." Fox leered at her, smiling.

"I should beat both your hides!! But I'm a grandmother again, I can't do things like that!!"

A smile finally escaped from Maggie.

"I want to see it again..."

The Mulders' Apartment

Resting together in bed, neither Fox nor Dana Mulder could sleep that night.

In a matter of a few days, their lives had once again taken a new turn.

"This baby is going to change our lives, Fox..."

"Changes our lives? Oh, now you tell me!!" Fox threw his arms up in the air as he rolled his eyes up. Everything came down with a grin.

Giving him the look, Dana shook her head at him.

"A whole new human being is going to depend on us... It's just not a baby it's a person..." Dana spoke as she rubbed Rat's back," That is where so many people make their mistakes... Not seeing that little infant as an individual... just a cute living doll to dress up and show off... not knowing there is mind behind those young eyes.

"What do you hope for our baby, Dana?"

"To be a good person... to do the right things... but it's the roll of the dice, Fox... We can be the best parents in the world and still have a kid who could gun down innocent people for kicks... That's really scary..."

Bringing her arm around Fox's neck, Dana snuggled close to him.

"What do you hope for our baby, Fox...?"

"Same thing... be a good person... Live in a world where there are no secrets, conspiracies or beings from another world not trying to conquer us with bee strings... That's really more what I want to give our child... I don't want our kids following in our footsteps... or feel that they have to... I just want them to live a happy life... surrounded by all the people they will love..."

"I take it, you're hoping we'll have more children?"

"Yeah... I hope we do... Maybe two more will be nice..."

"What do you hope the baby will be?"

"Besides being healthy..? I don't know... I wouldn't mind having a son but I would like to have a daughter... with your eyes..."

"You're not afraid of the baby being boy, are you, Fox?"

Pulling Dana closer to him, Fox spoke his most secret fear.

"I want you to know right now, Dana... I will never hurt our baby. I'm not going to do the things my parents did to me... but I am afraid... of not being able to keep this promise. With everything I know... I could still react the way my parents did to me... and if the baby is a boy. What if the chances are greater that I will not keep my word to you? If we have a daughter... I'm sure I will treat her with all the love my parents did with Samantha..."

"Fox, you are going to be a great dad... to our daughter or our son..."

"Thank God, you'll be there to keep me in line..."

Hearing Fox give thanks to the Good Lord, Dana brought up another issue.

"Fox, would you mind if I raise our baby Catholic?"

"No... I don't mind..." Fox paused for a moment," It's not like I'm going to start getting up and taking our kid to the church I was raised in. You see what a lot of good it did for me... but it did good for you."

Giving him a smile, Dana felt her eyes heavy. Closing them, she wished her husband a " Good night, Spookie..." and drifted off to sleep.

Kissing the top of her head, Fox wished his wife a " Good night, beloved..." and joined her in a peaceful slumber.

The Next Day: Walter Skinner's Office

"So you two went and did it..." Walter Skinner's eyes traveled back and forth before the young couple seated in front of him," The question is... how do we deal with it...?"

"Don't see why we have to do anything, Sir..." Fox Mulder said," Leave things as they are..."

"Leave things as they are...? That's your answer... Well, I still have to answer to higher ups. It won't take much for someone to notice your wedding bands or Agent..." Skinner gestured toward Dana's way.

"Scully, Sir... I plan to continue to use my maiden name for work purposes..." Agent Scully answered him.

"Thank you... but it won't be long before your condition makes itself known..."

"I assure you, Sir, that my pregnancy will not interfere with my working abilities. Though I know eventually I will not be able to do any field investigation... but that will not be for some time..."

"May I ask how far you are in your pregnancy?"

"I believe I am about six to eight weeks pregnant... I do have a doctor's appointment tomorrow, to confirm how far along I am..."

"I see... You two must understand... that this is a situation that must be brought up... Decisions must be made. For myself, I see no reasons for the two of you not to continue working on the X-Files... Both of you have proven, despite your personal feelings, capable of doing your work in an efficient manner... though there will be some who will think differently..."

"I'm sure there will be, Sir..." Mulder piped in.

"I will keep you updated... That is all, Agents..."

As they were standing to leave, Walter Skinner added one more thing," By the way, Congratulations on both your marriage and the blessed event..."

"Thank you, Sir..." Scully had answered for both of them.

The Mulders' Apartment

"What's wrong, Red...?" Fox hugged his wife from behind, rocking her body side to side.

"Did we do the right thing?" Dana turned to him still in his arms," Having this baby... is it the right thing to do?"

"It is for me... You aren't having second thoughts, are you? You don't want to get rid of the baby?"

"Of course not!! I would never get rid of our baby... Why would I want to get rid of something I wanted for so long and didn't think I could have? I'm worried about the future... Everything we have learned these past few years, what we both have been through... What if it's wrong for us to bring this child into a world where there might not be a future for?"

"It's not going to happen... It doesn't matter what the Bureau decides... We will continue... more so than ever... I can't do it without you, Dana... but I will do it for you and the baby... Our kid is going to have a future..."

The Next Day: St. John's Church

Walking down the steps of the church, Dana Mulder smiled at the other churchgoers she passed on her way to the parking lot.

Her time at the doctor's office had been a pleasant experience. Shocking her doctor as the test results confirmed her pregnancy once again. The doctor himself declared it a miracle.

After estimating her time, Dana was two months pregnant. The baby's due-date was around the middle of March.

Calling Fox on her cell phone to let him know the news, Dana had convinced him not to come with her to the doctor. She felt the need to do this alone. Anyway, knowing her husband, Fox mostly likely would have made a nuisance of himself, or get bored by the whole thing.

"... March the fourteenth..? So the baby might be born around that time, huh?" Fox spoke on the phone from work.

"Unless the baby doesn't want to come out... it's been known to happen..."

"Yeah... well, I'm glad everything went all right... I'm going with you next time... I got some questions for the doctor..."

"Fox, why don't you just ask me...?"

"No... it's embarrassing..."

"What?! What have you to be embarrassed about? Tell me!!"

"No..."

"Fox!!"

"Well... I just want to know how long I could keep fuckin' you...?"

"That's your question?"