Title - Futures
Feedback - Please - donnah@donnas-stories.com
URL - http://www.donnas-stories.com
Rating - R
Category - MSR
Spoilers - None
Keywords - Babyfic
Disclaimer - Mulder, Scully, the Lone Gunman and Skinner all belong to
Chris, 10-13 and Fox - Bless them for it!! No infringement intended.

Summary - Sequel to "For Me"

~*~*~

He wandered into the bedroom to see her struggling with her skirt. "What
are you doing?"

"I can't get my damn skirt buttoned."

"Scully, of course you can't. Stop that! You're going to hurt yourself."

"I'm huge! How am I supposed to go to work? I want to keep this quiet - "

"I think you look beautiful and you are not huge, you're barely showing,
but you are beginning to show. This isn't the kind of thing you can keep
secret forever you know." His hand trailed down her arm as she sank onto
the bed. How could he make her understand what he was seeing when he
looked at her? His voice was soft, almost a caress.

She fought against the pull of it, he already had so much power over her -
she couldn't lose herself in him. She had to be strong. "I need to talk
to Skinner."

"We need to talk to Skinner. And then maybe you need to go shopping." She
looked away but finally nodded.

~*~*~

Skinner looked up from his meal to see Mulder and Scully standing before
him. He sighed and decided not to lay down his fork. "I'm off duty
Agents, so I'm not going to ask what you're doing here."

"We need to talk to you." His heart sank, it was Scully talking, he might
be able to blow off Mulder, but not her.

"I was at the office all day. You couldn't talk to me there?"

"No sir. This is personal and confidential, we need to talk off the record."

"May we join you?" Mulder finally spoke and Skinner looked over at him.
Whatever this was they weren't going away. He sighed again and motioned to
the other side of the booth. They slid in but then seemed at a loss.

"Well?" His mood was plunging just sitting here. He truly enjoyed being
alone in the evenings, eating, reading, shucking off the day. His evening
was ruined now.

He noted that Mulder was looking around the room, ensuring that no one was
close enough to overhear their conversation. What the hell was going on here?

"Sir, I . . . " She took a deep breath. His level of concern rose, had her
cancer returned? "I'm pregnant." She spoke low, just above a whisper even
with their isolation.

His eyes automatically went to her body even as his brain was processing
the words. Mulder found his body tensing as this man placed her body under
such scrutiny. He realized his fists were forming as the gaze continued
for what seemed forever.

Finally his head turned as he looked at Mulder. "I'd assumed you were more
responsible than this."

Scully jerked forward, her mouth opened to protest when Mulder's hand
closed over her arm. She looked over at him; his expression hadn't changed
though his jaw was tighter. Was he not going to respond? Her expression
was questioning but still he didn't speak.

After a tense moment Skinner leaned back, "What are your plans?"

Scully dragged her eyes away from Mulder. "We wanted you to be aware of
the circumstances but I plan to continue my work for several more months."

"You want to continue field work? Now?" Again he looked over at Mulder.
"Do I need to remind you how many times you alone have put your partner in
danger? You're willing to continue this and put her in danger as well as
an unborn child? Your unborn child I'm assuming."

"Why are you not speaking to me?" Scully spoke before Mulder could. "This
is my career we're talking about. Working with a known partner - "

"You won't be working with a known partner. The Bureau - "

"The Bureau has no jurisdiction over this." Skinner's eyebrow rose. "I've
checked the regulations. There is no reason for us to be separated."

"No reason . . . "

"The regulations state that married couples cannot be partners in the
field. We're not married." Again Skinner looked over at Mulder. This
time Mulder wouldn't meet his eyes at all.

"Am I to infer that such plans are out of the question?"

"Until the Bureau updates it's antiquated regulations, yes."

"Antiquated. Okay, you two have succeeded in spoiling my dinner one more
time. I think it's time you left and let me think about what you've told
me. And I'd like to spend the rest of my evening without either one of
you." He turned toward Scully as she opened her mouth. "I know,
confidential. Do you mind?"

Without another word Mulder rose from the booth and stood waiting for
Scully to rise. He didn't face Skinner, but took Scully's arm and led her
toward the door, his hand finding its accustomed place on her back, and out
of the diner.

He didn't speak, just pulled away from the curb. After a couple of blocks
she couldn't take it any more. "Well, aren't you going to say anything?"

"I think you pretty much said it all."

"What the hell does that mean? I thought we had discussed this."

"Actually you discussed it and I listened." He hadn't turned to look at
her, keeping his eyes carefully on the road. She bit her lip, this wasn't
the place. She wasn't sure she could make him understand anyway.

When he pulled up in front of her apartment she didn't open the door. "Are
you coming in?"

"Maybe we ought to - "

"I'm not getting out if you're not. We need to . . . nevermind, maybe we
don't have anything to talk about after all." She pushed the door open and
was out hurrying toward her building. He caught up with her before she
made it to the steps.

"Scully, I'm sorry." He had hold of her arm. "We do need to talk and you
need to listen to me for a change." She was stiff under his hand but she
didn't pull away. They entered her apartment and he led her to her couch.

"Scully, I need to know why it would be so horrible for you to let the
world know we're together. To let everyone know that I want to acknowledge
this baby, hell, I'm anxious to acknowledge him. I'm not trying to take
you away from your work; I'm not even asking you to take my name. I don't
expect you to stay home and cook and clean. You're probably the best agent
at the Bureau, without me you'd be heading the VCS by now, but that's not
how it went. As for fieldwork, yes I believe you should cut back, I admit
it. If that makes me a chauvinist then so be it. Scully we never thought
you'd get pregnant. It wasn't a possibility, hell it wasn't even a hope.
But it's happened and I think you should -"

"No one expects you to cut back, take it easy because your child is going
to be born." He ran his hand through his hair. Why wouldn't she hear what
he was saying? He wanted to shake her. He knew part of her felt the same
way, but she wouldn't admit it. This was the most important thing in
either of their lives - their love had created a new life. He took a deep
breath. She'd throw him out if he started talking like that.

"Scully I didn't say it was fair. But I do know that if I were carrying
our baby I'd do whatever it took. Just for a while."

"You don't have a clue how hard it is for a woman to be taken seriously at
the Bureau. We're tolerated but that's where it ends. I have to prove
myself every day. If I cut back, it just proves that I can't handle my
job. Can't you see that?"

He shook his head in defeat; maybe she had a point. But why couldn't she
hear him? This baby was more important than any career and he knew she
felt the same. But Dana Scully wasn't going to give in and show any
weakness. He could only do whatever he could to take the burden from her
and hope she knew what she was doing.

~*~*~

They were packed now, Mulder was feeling good. He'd been right about the
guy. He grinned as Scully looked up from her suitcase. "We all ready to go?"

"Yep." She smiled back at him. She loved the way the way his mind worked.
 It kept the others guessing and though she usually fought him on his
theories, she was proud of their work together.

"I'm not getting in any car with you for three hours until you go to the
bathroom one more time." She stuck her tongue out at him but turned back
to the bathroom. He did have a point.

Mulder grinned as he closed the suitcases and latched them, then lifted
them off the bed and placed them at the door. He turned as he heard the
door open and looked up at her.

She looked terrible, pale; he was at her side in two steps. "Scully?
Scully, what's wrong?"

"I, uh, there was, there was some bleeding."

"Bleeding?"

"Yes, I - "

"Come here, lie down. Do you want . . . should I take you to a hospital?"

She let him lead her to the bed, lifting her legs and placing a pillow
under them. "Maybe I ought to call Linda." He nodded and pulled his own
cell phone out of his pocket.

She was put through immediately. Mulder paced as he listened to her side
of the conversation. "No, not heavy. No, no cramping. Yes, yes I
understand. No, I'll give you call. Thanks." She disconnected the phone
and handed it back to him.

"Well?"

"She, uh, she said this kind of thing happens periodically. It's a good
sign that I'm not cramping. She wants to do an ultrasound when we get
home. I'll lay here for a while, and then we can get started."

"No. I don't think it's a good idea for you to take a three-hour car ride,
not now. We'll stay here tonight and see how you feel tomorrow."

"You were right, I shouldn't be out here doing field work." Her voice
sounded foreign, toneless.

"Stop it. You've done nothing wrong, nothing that would cause this or hurt
the baby. Tell me what I can do."

"You could hold me."

He was already shucking his coat and shoes. "It's what I do best."

He held her, smoothing her hair, kissing her forehead.

"I'm scared." She whispered into his chest.

"I know." He tucked her under his chin, "but we don't have anything to be
scared of yet. I want you to get some rest. I'm right here." He placed
his hand on her swelling belly. "Just relax."

"You were right. What are a few months off the job if it means the baby is
okay? I'll take it easy, I promise and . . . and if the offer is still
open and I don't lose the baby, I will marry you."

"That, uh, that implies that I only asked you to marry me because you were
pregnant. I only used that as an excuse to screw up the courage. I want
to marry you regardless." 

"Why?"

"That's easy. I'm in love with you. Always have been. Relax, I have you,
I have you both. Go on to sleep for a while."

She cuddled in next to him, letting his arms cradle her against his chest.
He thought she was asleep when she suddenly tensed in his arms.

"Oh my god." Her hand went to her stomach. 

His heart sank, but he managed to keep his voice steady. "Should I call
Linda back?"

"It, it moved. I felt the baby move. He moved."
	
"He?" It was the first time she'd used that pronoun. It had been a joke
until now. His throat closed up, his emotions too much for him. This was
so far outside his experience he had no reference points to even grasp at.
His hand jointed hers, the movement was too faint for him to feel but he
could imagine it. He'd feel it soon for himself. And she'd agreed to
marry him. He buried his face in her hair, almost afraid to believe this
was happening to him, to them.

~*~*~

"You ready for this?" She nodded without looking at him, just reaching in
his direction for his hand. He took it and squeezed. "I'm right here."

She let go of his hand and opened the car door. He had his hand on her
back and he could feel her reluctance. Mrs. Scully had been cool towards
them since finding out about the pregnancy. No, to be honest she'd turned
cool when she found out they weren't getting married, the baby had thrilled
her.

She answered the door and smiled at them, but the warmth wasn't quite
there. Not like before. "Dana, Fox."

"May we come in?"

"Of course you can. You're always going to be welcome here." She stepped
aside.

Mulder waited, this was her mother. He hated this distance between them
and being responsible for it only made it worse.

"Don't you want to sit down?" Mrs. Scully motioned toward the living room.

"We, uh, we came to see if you were busy tomorrow afternoon."

"I don't think so. Do you need me to do something for you?"

"Well, yes." Scully glanced over at Mulder as though for courage and Mrs.
Scully melted a little. They did love each other and they were both
thrilled about the baby. Why were they being so stubborn about getting
married?

Mulder spoke up when Scully continued to hesitate. "We'd like you to be a
witness for us. We're getting married."

Her eyes widened and the smile grew on her face. "You're serious? You're
getting married tomorrow?" Scully nodded, not sure her voice would be
steady. "You've talked to Father McQue?"

"Well, no. Mrs. Scully, we're going to the courthouse. I hope - "

"Nevermind. That's not important. The fact that you've decided to get
married is enough. I guess it's too quick to invite your brothers. Don't
look so relieved Fox." He couldn't help but chuckle. He could already
feel the atmosphere warming up.

"What are you planning to wear?"

Scully gaped at her mother. Wear? She really hadn't thought about it,
whatever would go around her. "I hadn't, I don't know. A suit I suppose."

"Oh Dana, no. This is one of the most important days of your life. You
have to have something very special to wear. Why don't you and I do a
little shopping right now."

"Mom, there's no - "

"I don't have to pay for a big wedding, this is the least I can do. Please
Dana, let me do this."

Scully turned helplessly to Mulder, only to find him grinning at her and
obviously no help at all. She closed her eyes and sighed.

"Well, I guess you ladies don't need me this evening." He rose from the
couch.

"Mulder!" 

"Just don't overdo it." He grinned down at her.

"I won't let her wear herself out, Fox. Trust me, I'll bring her home safe
and sound." 

Scully's look of exasperation followed him to the door. Mrs. Scully walked
him out. "I'm very happy Fox. I'm so glad you asked her."

He turned to look at her; did she honestly not realize he'd been after her
to marry him for months? She was watching his face, he must be revealing
too much. It was better that she think the holdup was him, not her.
"Yeah. I should have done it years ago."

"Fox?"

"Keep an eye on her Mrs. Scully. She won't admit she's tired."

"You and I need to talk sometime Fox." She put her hand on his arm as he
opened the door. He shrugged, not committing to such a conversation. She
rose onto her toes and kissed his cheek. "I'm so glad she has you in her
life Fox. So very glad."

His eyes lit up like a Christmas tree and she saw that his step was lighter
walking to his car.

When Scully returned to her apartment that evening he was watching TV in
the living room. "You owe me big, Mulder."

"Do I get to see the dress?" She had laid the bag over the couch.

"No, not until tomorrow. Orders from Mom. I know you won't go against her
wishes now that the two of you are so buddy-buddy."

"Now Scully, think about it. We cheated her out of a big formal wedding
and Father McQue."

"Cheated her!" She turned back to him ready to fight and saw the grin.
"I agreed to marry you? What was I thinking?"

He was up then, looming over her. "What were you thinking?" One hand was
cupping her breast, the other pulling her close, his lips nipping at hers.

"No fair. You know my hormones are overcharged." She pressed herself
against him, her annoyance disappearing rapidly.

"What was your excuse for craving my body previously?"

"Besides the fact I was tired of just watching you walk away from me for
pleasure?"

"Why Agent Scully, did you check me out?"

"Like I would admit something like that and increase your already
over-inflated ego." 

"A little respect, woman." He had her in his arms now and was headed
toward the bedroom where they both proved their 'respect' for each other.

He held her as she came back to herself, "Am I forgiven for abandoning you
to your mother?"

"Not yet, but you've made a good start. Will the guys be there tomorrow?"

"Yeah, but they don't know why. You really not going to let me see the
dress?"

"Go to sleep Mulder."

~*~*~

They hadn't been out in several weeks and they both agreed, finally, on a
movie, so they had an early dinner and saw a show. When it was over, after
one attempt on her own, she held out her hand to be assisted to her feet.
He grinned and helped her up. Her eyes widened as the baby protested.
Mulder put his hand on her.

"He doesn't like me to sit for so long."

"Obviously not, doesn't that hurt?"

"Of course it does, but it's a good hurt. I need to go to the ladies' room."

"Big shocker." She swatted him and went on. He waited outside and took
her arm when she emerged. He noticed her wince again.

"He still pitching a fit?"

"Um hum." She often spoke in monosyllables when he was this active.

"Look, you wait here. I'll bring the car around."

"I'm okay, Mulder."

He leaned down and kissed her forehead. "If I didn't think so, do you
think I'd leave you to get the car?" She smiled and shook her head.

He was barely gone when the man approached her. "Dana Mulder?"

"You're Kurt, Kurt Crawford." Her entire body was on alert, the baby's
motions subsided with the flood of adrenaline.

"I answer to that."

"What do you want?" She stepped back from him, her hand automatically
going to her stomach. His hands went out from his side.

"I'm not here to hurt you. You need to know they're watching you."

"Who?"

"I think you already know."

"I'm not in the X-Files anymore, and the staff was expanded. Why bother us
now?"

"You conceived a child they thought would never be. They're not happy."

"My baby? Is anything. . . ?"

"I'm sure he's fine. You've had excellent care."

"Why now?"

"The child has reached viability. Our suggestion is not to return to your
apartment." He handed her an envelope. "This is cash and a key to an
untraceable car parked in J54 at Dulles long-term parking. You need to
disappear."

"You can't be serious." She stared at the redheaded man incredulously.

"I assure you we are. With that money you shouldn't need to use any credit
or ATM cards."

"Why are you . . .?

"He's our little brother, Dana. Please don't let them have him."

Before she could respond, he turned and disappeared into the shadows. She
took a couple of steps to follow, but she was in no shape to go after him.
 She stood there, her mind trying to process everything she'd heard. She
was unaware that Mulder had driven up until he got out of the car and took
her arm. She started violently.

"Scully! What's wrong? Are you okay?" She'd been fine when he left. He
scanned the sidewalk, nothing that should upset her.

"Get in the car, Mulder. Come on." He helped her in, waved at the guy
honking at his obstruction of traffic and pulled out.

"Scully?"

She shook her head and reached for a pad of paper. She wrote 'drive to
Dulles', but said, "I'm not ready to go home yet, Mulder. Could we drive
around for a while? I haven't been out for just a drive in ages."

"Sure. Anywhere in particular?" She was watching the rear view mirror, so
he began to check as well for a tail. She was really making him paranoid,
and he was out of practice.

"I saw a house for sale, I thought we could drive by. Even in the dark we
can check out the neighborhood." She reeled off an address and kept
watching. They both continued the inane conversation until Mulder pulled
into the long term parking at Dulles. When he stopped the car, she was out
of it so fast she stumbled.

"Jesus, Scully! What's going on? You need to calm down." He held her arm
firmly.

She rapidly brought him up to date on the conversation she'd had with the
Kurt Crawford clone, handing him the money and the key.

"Scully, you can't be serious. We can't just take off. It could be a
hoax, why would you believe him?" But he found himself searching the
parking lot to make sure no one was around that could hear them.

"Are you willing to take that chance?" She nearly kept her voice from
shaking.

"Scully, you are seven months pregnant. No self-respecting airline would
even let you board a plane. It's not a good time to go underground."

"But he's right, the baby can live without me. It would be the right
time." She was trembling now.

"First thing, you're going to calm down. Look, we'll use their car and go
off for a day or so. How's that? We can check into some motel and if
nothing has happened, we can just explain it as a quick vacation before he
comes."

She nodded, too close to tears for words. He held her close trying to calm
her, and when she was more composed turned her toward the aisle where the
car should be parked. It was there and the key fit. It was a completely
nondescript family car, mid-size and navy. From where they stood, they
could see at least three others just like it.

"I want you to lie down in the back."

"No, Mulder. I'm too keyed up."

"That's why I want you to lie down. Do you want me to call Linda?"

"No! Mulder, please, I'm fine. Let's just get out of here."

"I don't even know where to go."

"Head west. We'll find a motel on the highway and stop later." She opened
the front passenger door.

"Not too much later. I want you to rest."

She did actually doze off after a while, for which he was grateful. He
kept playing what she had told him over in his head. His son, they wanted
his son. He couldn't go through another Samantha, not and keep even a
semblance of sanity. She was right, better to treat this as fact and
regroup later.

When he crossed into Pennsylvania he picked the first Holiday Inn he came
to. It would go perfectly with the car and since she was asleep, no one
would see her at the desk for identification. When he had parked in front
of their room, he opened her door and woke her. She looked so peaceful; he
wasn't about to let anything happen to her, or the baby.

"Scully?" He woke her gently. "Wake up, Sweetheart. I've got us a room."

"Mulder, I didn't mean to fall asleep. We weren't followed?"

"No, I've kept a close watch. Let me help you." He had to hold her until
she could steady herself. He was beginning to think the baby was going to
be as big as she was. Not a comforting thought. He sat her on the bed
and removed her shoes.

"Mulder, I'm not an invalid." She was only slightly annoyed, she could
tell how worried he was.

"Just go back to sleep. We're okay here."

"I can't believe I don't even have a toothbrush."

"We'll get what we need tomorrow. You have to rest now. Do you want
anything?"

"You beside me."

"No problem. Scully, don't worry. Please. Let me handle all the worrying
for now." He pulled her into his arms and watched her sink back into sleep.

~*~*~

He woke when the sun found a slit in the curtains and hit him in the eye.
It was after 8, they both must have been exhausted. He carefully left the
bed and started coffee in the pot provided by the motel. He needed the
caffeine to get his mind working, hell under these circumstances he might
even relent and let her have some. The guys, he'd call them, see if they
could find out anything. No way to contact Skinner. Her mother! Damn,
she'd have a fit with them missing.

Scully stirred and propped herself up on her elbows. It was easier than
turning over. "Coffee?"

"Yeah, but only half a cup. Listen, I thought I'd try to find a pay phone
and call the guys, see if they've heard anything."

She took a deep breath. "I guess that would be the safest way. They
certainly have enough gadgets on their phones. Should I go with you?"

"No. I want you to stay here."

"How long will you be gone?" What a weak thing to say. She had to get a
grip, she was a capable adult damn it. He hadn't seemed to notice.

"Just a few minutes. I'll go make the call and come right back. Then we
can get some breakfast and anything else we might need."

"Okay. Be careful, Mulder." She wasn't used to being unable to look after
herself completely. This was hard. He kissed her and smiled reassuringly,
then let himself out the door.

She tensed, almost expecting gunshots. Of course there were none. No one
had followed them and Kurt was on their side, she could feel it. It had
made her that much readier to believe last night. She took a shower;
nothing was quick anymore, but a short one and put back on the clothes she
had worn the day before.

~*~*~

"Yeah?" Langly answered in his usual paranoid manner.

"It's me, are the machines on?"

"Mulder! Thank god! Where are you?"

"Why? What happened?" Every nerve was on edge.

"Someone took your apartment apart last night. They apparently didn't find
what they were looking for and it really ticked them off. Skinner's ready
to blow."

"How would you know that?"

"Because he's already called demanding any information on you from us.
What did you do?"

"Nothing. We just got a tip someone was looking for us. Can you get word
to her mother that she's okay, without anyone else knowing?"

"Sure. Is it true, Mulder?"

"Yeah, for now. We're going to disappear for awhile, it's the only way I
know to keep them safe. I'll be in touch with you guys, no one else. I
need to get off this line. We're okay. Tell her mother."

"You got it, Mulder. Let us know what you need and you'll get it."

"Thanks." He hung up and realized his hand was trembling. Kurt had been
right. They wanted his son and they would have taken Scully to get him.
Those bastards! He'd thought that was over, the X-Files were practically
mainstream now. Why couldn't they leave them alone? And how was he going
to tell her? Shit.

He hurried back to the room, taking an alternate route, watching
everything. No one that he could spot. Why didn't that reassure him? He
took several deep breaths before entering. No reason to panic her, though
she'd probably take it better than he had.

One look at his face was enough. "Was anyone hurt?"

"Just the apartment. Skinner called the guys. Everyone thought they had
us. Langly is going to get word to your mother."

At that, Scully began to cry. "It's okay. Scully, please."

"No, I'm fine. It's just. . . you remembered Mom, with everything else on
your mind and you remembered to have someone reassure her."

"Hey, she's my mother too, now. And she'll skin me alive if I let anything
happen to you two. You were right, you know. We're safe because of you."
She tried to smile and almost succeeded.

"Go take your shower. We need to get out of here." She was already
anxious to be gone.

"Okay, we need to get some things and decide where we're going."

After a quick shower he came back in, towel drying his hair. "I thought
we'd keep heading. . . Scully? What, why are you crying now?"

"It's stupid. I was thinking about what they did to our apartment, all our
wedding gifts." He couldn't think of a comment to that. It honestly had
never crossed his mind. Everything he cared about in the world was
stretched out on the bed in front of him.

~*~*~

They stopped at one of the mega-store outlets to get some supplies. Scully
was less than thrilled with the selection of maternity clothes. She'd left
her fairly expensive, more sophisticated suits behind. She held a smock up
in front of her.

"Ruffles, Mulder? My god."

"You do look about sixteen years old."

"Great. I think I'll stick with the denim jumper."

"They make that much denim?"

"You're begging to limp out of here." She glared at him. He backed up in
mock fear, actually relieved that she would play.

They agreed to one outfit each, as well as nightclothes for her and
underwear. They didn't want to arouse anyone's suspicion by restocking too
much. Toiletries were no problem, but they still kept their purchases
small and their eyes open.

She refused to wait with their purchases at the door, and since he agreed
he kept his mouth shut. They got fast food in order to keep moving, but he
promised himself she'd have a healthy meal that evening.

He insisted on driving no farther than Philadelphia that day, not wanting
her to be in the car any longer.

"Scully, let's get an apartment. No one knows us in Philly."

"It's too close to DC, Mulder. I want to keep heading west, Texas or
California."

"You want to drive across country? Now? Scully, you can't. You are weeks
away from delivery - I want us in a stable environment, near a good
hospital - not in a car traveling through no where."

"Weeks, Mulder. You said it yourself. Weeks, not days."

"Linda said at your last appointment that you were through traveling until
after he was born."

"That was before she knew we'd be running to save his life."

He didn't have an immediate response to that. How was he going to keep
them both safe?

"Mulder." She put her hand on his leg. "I'm not helpless. Don't think of
me that way. We'll stay in Philadelphia tonight, then move on."

She was already more in control than he was. Was she really this calm?
Her hand squeezed his thigh. "We're together Mulder."

He was able to draw a deeper breath at those words. She was right, they
were still looking after each other.

~*~*~

He carried in the groceries, allowing her to carry only the milk despite
the rolling of her eyes at him. They were putting things away when he saw
her wince. "You okay?"

"You know who's awake." His hand caressed her belly and his eyes widened
at the activity he felt.

"Why don't you go lie down, put your feet up."

"I'm not an invalid, Mulder."

"Tell me you're not tired."

"Well yes, I'm tired. I'm carrying thirty extra pounds in a very awkward
way, that doesn't mean. . . "

His lips silenced her, and then he turned her toward the bedroom door.
"I'll put this stuff away and join you. Go on."

She sighed and obeyed his command. He wasted no time putting away the
groceries, deciding this was his chore from now on. He'd had no idea she
could stretch to these proportions anyway. And she still had four weeks to
go. He was awfully glad they had done all the testing they had earlier so
that he knew there was only one baby. He stood at the door watching her
lying on her side in their bed until she shifted trying to find a
comfortable position.

He slipped off his shoes and joined her on the bed, his hand automatically
going to the small of her back. She sighed as his hand eased some of the
pressure on her strained muscles.

"Mulder."

"Um?"

"We need to think about moving on in the next couple of days."

"Scully, we haven't seen anyone suspicious, no one we've seen before. I
really don't want to move you anymore." His hand did not stop the massage
of her back.

"That makes me feel like a whale being air lifted."

"You know that's not what I meant."

"One more move, Mulder. Even I know we have to quit sometime. I want to
be settled before its time too. One more."

"Four weeks, right?"

"That's what Linda said." He missed her evasion with that answer, enjoying
the feel of her skin under his hand until he realized she had fallen
asleep. He smiled, these little naps of hers were becoming normal for him,
and he loved watching them. Her abandonment to sleep was total, so he
could watch her face and quite often her stomach as his son moved inside of
her. It was a sight he never tired of.

His own sleep had reverted to the nightmares of his bachelor days. He
realized this was from the stress of knowing they wanted to take what he
loved away again, and tried to hide them from her knowing he wasn't
entirely successful. 

One more move, to a place with an excellent maternity hospital. Linda and
all the tests had assured them the baby was fine, but he wasn't willing to
take chances. And he wanted to be able to send samples and information to
several sources as soon as possible so he could take his family home.

~*~*~

She sent him out for a paper, and began searching the ads for apartments.
"Mulder look, a house on a lake."

"On a lake? This time of year it might be too secluded."

"Isn't that what we want?"

"No, I'd rather be downtown, two and half minutes from a hospital."

"I don't think that'll be necessary. He is a first baby and Mom's already
cursed me with a thirty-six hour labor."

"She did what?" He gaped at her.

"Well, I was an eighteen hour delivery - her longest. Since I'm not
planning on having four children, she thought it was only fair that I have
at least twice as long a labor as she did."

"So you were stubborn and reluctant to see new possibilities with her too,
uh?"

She glared at him, which didn't wipe the grin from his face. "Hey, what
was her shortest labor?"

"Four hours."

"Tell me that wasn't Bill." He grimaced as he visualized the large man.

"No, Charlie. Well, he was her fourth, the trail was pretty well marked by
then."

Again he grimaced; this was not exactly the part he was looking forward to.

"Call her, at least ask about the house."

"Yeah, I can do that." He kissed her nose.

She settled back with her feet up, listening to his spiel. This man could
talk a woman into anything. It was a good thing she'd taken him off the
market before he realized it.

A writer looking for a secluded place to finish his manuscript by deadline.
 Lots of privacy required, because otherwise he couldn't force himself to
finish on time.

~*~*~

The house was perfect and Scully seemed to relax into it for the first time
in weeks. Her movements were slow, but he had to admit watching her "play
house" was one of the most enjoyable things he had ever done. He found
himself relaxing too - after deciding the best route to the nearest hospital.

Their landlady had been right, it was very secluded here this time of year.
 They took walks in the woods, just being together, alone in the world.

~*~*~

It was a beautiful day and the picnic was just what she needed to pick up
her spirits. Being underground would be hard at any time, but now with the
baby just a few weeks away, she really wanted some stability and her
mother. He kept after her to eat more, but after a few bites she was full.

"There's no room, Mulder. You eat it."

"I'm not eating for two."

"Well, we're both full, so forget it."

"Feisty broad."

"Broad is the word." She looked down again at her huge belly and shook her
head.

"You're beautiful and you know it." He laid his head carefully on her and
began kissing her stomach. "He's been quiet today."

"Shhh! Don't spoil it. He was active enough this morning, thank you."

Mulder grinned and curled up around her, letting her use him as a backrest,
dropping off to sleep shortly. She watched him sleep, grateful it was
peaceful for him. The nightmares that had gradually gone away after they
were married had resurfaced while they were running and she hated to see
his torment at night. He was so strong for her every day and there was so
little she could do to make him feel safer at night. Sex had become more
difficult but their mutual creativity had helped there. He was just so
afraid of hurting her, he didn't realize that now she was usually the
aggressor.

She was dozing herself when the tightening of her stomach muscles woke her.
 "What was that?" Mulder asked, disturbed from his nap.

"That was a contraction."

"A what?" He was fully awake now.

"A contraction. You know, labor."

"You're in labor? It's too soon."

"Mulder, I've had one contraction. Can I get back to you on this?"

"But . . . "

"It might even be false labor, it is a little early."

"False, how do you tell the difference?"

"If it's real labor, a baby comes out."

"Cute. Damn cute." He ran his fingers through his hair, his anxiety level
rising.

"You might want to lighten up a little, Mulder. I could be having
contractions like this for weeks."

"Or you could have another one in two minutes."

"Highly unlikely." But she was amused to see how flustered he was, no cool
exterior here.

"Is this the first one you've had?"

"Yes. Mulder, I'm not going to keep something like this from you. Come
on. Could you smile? This is a good thing. Once he's born we can go home."

What a shit he was, she was the one that was going to have to endure the
pain, do all the work and now she was having to comfort him too? Grow up,
Mulder, this is your son and you need to be strong for her for a change.
Mulder mentally berated himself as he stood. She raised her arms to be
helped to her feet. 

"You just sit there while I pack everything. Relax."

"Good advice, Sweetheart, you ought to . . . "

"Scully? Oh shit. You're having another one?" She nodded. "Let's get
you home. Damn, I should have brought the car."

"Mulder, it's not that far. We've got plenty of time, and they're not that
severe, just help me up." He lifted her to her feet.

"Do you want me to carry you?"

"No. But you could hold my hand." Instead he took her in his arms and
held her.

"I'm not going to let anything happen to you, Scully."

"I'm not worried, as long as you're with me." He nodded and took a deep
breath. He didn't want to release her, but forced himself and gathered up
their supplies quickly. He slung the bag over his shoulder and put his arm
around her.

They were most of the way across the clearing when she stopped. "Oh my god."

"What? Scully?" He could be more scared, surely he had been at some time
in his life.

"My water broke." He stared at her speechless. "Well, now we know it's
not false labor." She tried to break through his shock. 

Shit, she was going to have the baby out here in the middle of nowhere.

"Mulder, I'm not having the baby out here in the woods."

"Did I say that out loud?"

"You didn't have to." She answered dryly. She pulled the cloth from his
shoulder to clean herself.

He dumped the stuff he was carrying. "Come on."

Her smile was cut short by the next contraction. She drew the first deep
breath she'd had in weeks. The baby had dropped into position. The phrase
"lock and load" came to her mind and for the first time he saw fear flicker
in her eyes. His mind frantically recalled every word he'd read about
emergency childbirth.

He put his arm more firmly around her and they headed toward the house. To
him they were moving agonizingly slowly but she obviously couldn't walk any
faster and he was supporting her almost completely. He realized her eyes
were closed, to enable her to concentrate more fully on her breathing,
trusting him completely to lead her.

He noted shortly, that she could no longer walk during the contractions,
hanging from him, letting him completely support her. Neither were talking
now, she was really wasn't able, though her moans caused his hair to stand
on end. He didn't have a clue what to say anyway. He let his hands and
arms give her what comfort they could as she relied on him as she never had.

"Scully, we're almost to the house. I'll get you to the hospital as
quickly as I can."

"We're not going anywhere." She muttered through clenched teeth.

"What?"

"I'm already fighting the urge to push. Help me to the bedroom."

"Scully, no. I can't deliver the. . . "

She turned to him then, suddenly furious, "Then don't! Go for a walk, go
have a beer, I don't care! I just have to get him out!"

Mulder drew back in surprise and almost lost his grip on her as she jerked
away, then doubled over in pain.

He scooped her up in his arms and hurried to the door, not bothering with
keys, kicking the back door in. She was in agony having his child and he
was acting like a total ass, guilt consumed him.

He laid her gently on their bed and brushed the hair from her forehead.
"Scully, I've got to get some things. I've not left you." He wasn't sure
she understood him, her eyes were glazed with pain. He realized she was
moaning his name, it seemed to be the only word she could form.

He raced to the bathroom, jerking open cabinets and drawers to find what he
needed. He grabbed a stack of towels and turned as he heard her.

"MULDER!" He nearly dropped his supplies. They were out of time.

"I'm here, Scully. I'm here." He rolled her gently to her back and
propped her up using the pillows on the bed. She was still moaning his
name over and over. He took a deep breath and raised her knees. Oh god,
the baby was. . . what was the word? Crowning, his son was crowning. Lots
of dark hair. She'd predicted that, something about heartburn.

"Scully, you need to push with the next contraction. Can you hear me?"
He sounded . . . competent. Yeah, right.

She nodded and clasped her hands around her knees. As bad as this was, it
was such a relief to actually push.

Mulder watched in horrified fascination as his son's head began emerging
and then slipped back as the contraction subsided. He had his hands on
her, massaging her stomach, wanting desperately to help. How the hell was
she doing this?

More pushing, he knew if it were him, he'd already be unconscious from the
pain. She bore down yet again. The head, the head was out. He had to
stroke down on the nose, getting out the fluid. He rubbed a wet cloth over
the mouth. "Come on, Scully. Finish it up. You can do this." He
actually sounded calm he realized, but she knew him well enough to know he
was hiding his terror.

She bore down with all of her remaining strength and shrieked his name as
the shoulders left her body, collapsing back as the baby emerged into his
shaking hands.

"I've got him, Scully. He's born, Sweetheart." And ugly as sin, his skin
had a bluish caste and he was so tiny and pinched. He'd never seen
anything so beautiful. Even as he thought it the baby cried out his rage.
His skin began turning pink and Mulder covered him with the softest of the
towels. As his warmth returned, the baby opened his eyes and locked gazes
with Mulder. His crying ceased and they stared at each other for a moment.

"Mulder?"

"Oh god, Scully, are you okay?" Her voice bringing him back to reality.

"Yeah." She was still trying to get her breath back, "Let me see him."

"Oh yeah." He laid his son on her chest, watching her eyes spill over,
unaware of his own tears.

"You need to tie off the cord, so you can cut it."

"I got some shoelaces."

She smiled. "How did you think of that?"

"It's what they used when that woman gave birth on the airplane."

"Yes, I remember. About three inches from his abdomen, then the other one
three or four inches farther away. That's. . . there, that's good, go
ahead and cut." He glanced at her once, then did as she said. "I need to
deliver the placenta, Mulder."

He gulped and nodded. It was both better and worse than he had imagined.
At least she wasn't in that horrible pain. He looked up to see the baby
snuffling at her breasts.

"I think he's hungry."

"I hope he knows what he's supposed to do." She unbuttoned her smock and
gasped as he took hold of her nipple. Mulder was mesmerized at the sight.
She looked up to catch his gaze and blushed. How could she blush from her
husband's look? When she moved the baby to her other breast Mulder tore
himself away to start cleaning her up.

When she finished nursing, he took the baby and helped her lie down. "You
need to rest. I'll take him in the other room and clean him up."

"Mulder, are you okay?" He smiled and kissed her forehead, then pulled the
sheet up over her and took the baby into the living room. He hadn't
trusted his voice enough to speak. He pulled the door to, and started
toward the kitchen. When he realized how badly he was shaking he put the
baby on the couch, placing pillows around him, before he fell to his knees.
 He buried his head in one of the pillows so that she wouldn't hear his cries.

When he finally managed to regain some composure, he dragged himself to his
feet, cleaned the baby, and dressed him in one of the outfits Scully had
purchased on impulse.

~*~*~

She woke to see Mulder watching her from the chair beside the bed. He'd
obviously been crying.

"Mulder? Where's the baby?" Her voice rising in fear.

"Shhh. He's asleep over there. I didn't mean to wake you."

"You had a bad case of the 'what ifs', didn't you?" He gave a slight nod.
"You know, this morning I thought I loved you as much as it was possible
for one human to love another. I wasn't even close. Come here."

He joined her on the bed and she held him as he tried not to cry into her
breasts. "It's okay, Mulder. You were wonderful. I could never have
gotten through it without you. You couldn't have shown me your love any
stronger. Please, Mulder." She was kissing his head, trying to comfort
him. "Our son is perfect, thanks to you, Mulder."

"He's . . . he's awfully small."

"He didn't feel that small coming out."

Mulder winced at that, until he saw her smile.

"Could you get me a cloth? I seem to be leaking."

"Oh?" He pulled the smock apart and lightly tasted the milk beading on her
nipple. "It's sweet."

"Mulder, that's not for you." She brushed his cheek.

"Everything about you is mine. Everything. I'll share with him and him
alone." She almost drew back from the intensity in his eyes. He lowered
his head again to her breasts.

"Mulder?"

"Um?"

"Is Fox awake?"

For a second he was confused, they hadn't agreed to name the baby Fox, then
he realized what she meant. "Ignore the little jerk-off, he has no
self-control."

"Well, it is reassuring to know you still want me."

"Scully, I'm going to want you after I've been dead a hundred years."

They both turned at the mewling cries of their son. "I think our
first-born is hungry."

Mulder had started to rise, but stopped at her comment. "Our only child,
Scully. I'm not putting you through that ever again."

"Today's not the day to make that decision, Sweetheart. Just bring him to
me, okay?"

When he had finished nursing, they lay him between them on the bed and
thoroughly checked him out, counting fingers and toes.

"His fingernails are so tiny. He's so. . ."

"Don't cry, Scully."

"I want Mom to see him. Please take me home, Mulder."

"In a few days, Scully. Not yet. You're in no shape to drive back to DC."

"I know. You're right, but soon Mulder. Please."

"Right now I want to take both of you to the hospital. You need to be
checked out, and he is early."

"As impatient as his father."

"I've always made it to the hospital on time myself."

"Great, you're telling me he's going to be worse than you."

"It's those Scully genes." He kissed her and went to retrieve a fresh diaper.

~*~*~

At the hospital a few hours later the doctor congratulated him on his
medical expertise and pronounced both Scully and the baby in wonderful
shape. If he was surprised at the tests and samples they requested, he
kept it to himself. Mulder supervised the packing and rather than use the
delivery service that the hospital offered, decided to take the samples
with them and send them from another location. No precaution was too much.

Scully refused to stay and as there was no medical reason to do so, the
doctor released her with warnings, unaware of her medical background.
Mulder dropped his package off and they returned home.
	
He tried to take the burden from her, but with the baby wanting to eat
every couple of hours there wasn't a lot he could do. He knew she must be
dragging by morning so he leapt to answer the phone on the first ring.

"Yeah."

"Email." And the phone went dead. He scrambled from the bed and pulled
out the laptop the guys had secured for him. He opened his hotmail account
and found his message.

{Congratulations Dad!!

He looks good to us, but we would like a sample of your and her blood for
comparisons of certain findings. Please send asap.}

He didn't acknowledge the message. They would know that he had read it.
But why did they want her blood or his for that matter? And should he even
mention this to her? That question answered itself when she joined him at
the table.

"I thought you'd get a little more sleep. Did the phone wake you?"

"Maybe a little, but you weren't in the bed. That always wakes me." She
smiled at him.

"You need your rest."

She decided to ignore that, it was a constant theme with him anyway. "Was
it the guys?"

"Yeah. They send their congratulations."

"And?" She needed to get back shape soon so she could kick his ass. This
protection thing had gone on so long that it was going to be hard to whip
him back into shape. His having to handle the delivery hadn't helped, but
there hadn't been a lot of options at the time.

He sighed, "They want a sample of your blood and mine to compare with his.
No explanation, they're keeping their communications tight."

"Well," She laid her hand lightly on his arm, "We know it's not a paternity
test." He grinned at her then and leaned over to kiss her. They were
interrupted mid-kiss by their son demanding attention. "Looks like I have
two high maintenance men now, and both seem to have a breast fetish. This
could get rough."

"Yeah, and right now he gets priority." He tried to look mournful but
couldn't pull it off. She chuckled and rose from the chair. He had his
hands on her, helping her immediately and she leaned against him slightly.

"I'll draw the blood when he's eaten. When you drop it off there's some
things I need you to pick up." He nodded and walked her back into the
bedroom.

It was late the next day before he received another email. This one was
considerably longer and he as much as he hated not being able to shield
her, he needed the medical slant on this.

"Okay, from what Byers says here, Wills has remnants of the virus in his
blood stream. He's speculating that he's going to have an immunity due to
the vaccine you gave me. The thing is, you have it too."

Without thinking Mulder nodded, "Yeah, from the vaccine I got in Russia."

She turned then to look at him. "What vaccine?"

"What? Oh." Shit, he hadn't talked about that with her. It wasn't
exactly a high point for him. "Uh, remember when I went to Russia with
Krycek? Well, a lot happened."

"Apparently." She was ticked; he was going to have to come clean. She
leaned back to listen, the narrative only interrupted when he stopped to
bring the baby to her. She tolerated a very short interruption and then
was demanding answers again.

When the baby was fed and settled in the carrier Mulder had brought out she
turned to him. "Damn you Mulder." She said it without heat, almost
resigned. "How could you keep something like that from me? Torture, the
black cancer. I thought . . . I thought we were past that."

"I'm sorry. At the time I just wanted to forget it had happened and later,
well, there didn't seem to be much point - "

"Much point?"

"Okay, poor choice of words. Scully, I screwed up and I'm sorry. "

She looked over at their sleeping son. "Well, it explains why they wanted
him so badly. If he does have double immunity from the two of us, they're
going to want to do a lot more testing than we've done so far. How do we
handle that Mulder? How do we keep him safe?"

"I don't know yet. But we will, I promise you that." He folded her into
his arms. He would keep them safe; it was the only future that mattered to
him.

The End