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Title: The Ground Floor Summary: What's left that could surprise Skinner, and even make him a little envious? Author Notes: This is my first posting, but it NEVER could have happened without the poking and prodding of the best beta in the whole world....Angel. Thank you thank you! The elevator dinged when it arrived at the fifth floor. As the doors opened, I was preparing myself for the signature hospital smell that is nauseating at worst and tolerable at best. However, the smell wasn't bad, in fact it didn't really have an odor at all. I guess I have never been on this floor before. Who knew that there was a floor in the hospital that didn't smell of death. Ironically, I suppose it couldn't since it was actually brimming with life. Walking down the long hallway, I noticed how much nicer this corridor was compared to the others in the floors below. Pastel wallpaper soothingly hung on the walls and over stuffed couches rested in the waiting area. I took a deep breath as I prepared to enter room 512. I was almost there, so I tucked the teddy bear securely under my arm and turned into the door way. Now there was a sight I never thought I would see. My two best agents that have been to hell and back on so many occasions, were simply... looking normal. Like an average normal couple who just had a baby. Mulder was resting on the small sofa with his feet propped on Scully's bed. The baby rested on the top of his legs, and one of Mulder's hands was protectively securing the infant's small body to his lap. Scully was sitting in bed with her glasses on, reading a card to Mulder that was sent to them. I almost didn't want to disturb the surreal scene. I coughed. Both their heads turned toward me. "Mulder. Scully," I say and give them an embarrassed grin for interrupting what seemed to be a private family moment. "Sir. Please come in," said Scully, with an intrigued smile on her face. "We weren't sure if you would come by." "I couldn't miss this, could I? After all the X-Files that have come across my desk, this was the strangest of them all," I say, waiting for Scully to act on cue. She does. She tilts her head in confusion and creases her brow. "After all, I had to see proof that Mulder actually was able to help create a miracle, and more miraculously, that you willingly had anything to do with it. But, as I can see for myself, it is certainly true, and she is beautiful," I say as I reach down and touch her tiny head that is covered by a light pink knit cap, and then flash them a smile to know that I was only joking. Scully rewards me with a smile and Mulder chuckles. "Please, Sir, sit down." Mulder motions for me to sit next to him. I wasn't planning on staying, but I decide to anyway. As I sit, I get a better look at their little miracle. She is a beauty all right. Most babies aren't attractive newborns, but then again, how could I expect anything less from two more than average parents. Her skin is a soft peachy color, but looks pale like her mother's. Of course she is active, only a day old, but waving her arms and legs around, trying to kick her blanket off. Finally she opens her eyes wide enough for me to see, and all I see is blue. A baby's eye color is always subject to change, so it might be a while before her true color is known. I wonder what color of hair she has, I can't tell because of the little hat she has on. Mulder is looking down at her like he has never seen anything so perfect before. I guess in a way, he hasn't. "What color hair?" I ask, but the only response I get is their laughter. Once they stopped snickering, Scully, said," We don't know yet. Mulder said she had her Uncle Walter's hair." I looked at Mulder and gave him a dirty look even though I didn't mean it. I came to terms with my baldness years ago, but watching Mulder squirm is worth it. "Scully..." he says between clinched teeth. The embarrassment is obvious on his face. "Sir, I was only kidding. Really...I think the bald look is very...er...sexy." Then he flashes me another embarrassed grin, and I decide to let him off the hook, after all this is time for a celebration. I sit back and look around the room. There are flowers and balloons everywhere. "Wow. You think you will find a place for the baby in the car after you pack all this stuff," I say. Mulder lets out a grunting noise, I am assuming is an agreement. "Well, here's one more item to add to the car." I finally hand the soft white bear to Scully. "Thank you, Sir. We will put it in her crib," she says with a smile as she looks down at the teddy bear I purchased in the gift shop. I almost got the kid a stuffed alien, but figured Scully would disapprove. "This is much nicer than the stuffed alien the guys got us," she says, and rolls her eyes. Boy, am I glad I bought the damn bear. "I kinda liked the alien. It was a nice gesture," Mulder says in a tone that is part whine, but also part sincere. I'm waiting for a retort from Scully, but what she does next surprises me. "I know, and that's why it will be sitting on her dresser, but not in her crib." And then she smiles at him. I really do think I'm in an X-File now. I have never seen them smile this many times all the years I have known them, but now they can't stop. I decide that I need to leave. I no longer want to interrupt their family time. As I stand, they both start to protest, but I hold my hand out to stop them from speaking. "I have some other engagements that I need to attend to," I say as I walk to the door. Before I go I turn and say,"It was nice to see the three of you. Get some rest and take off all the time you want, you certainly have it coming to you." Right as I turn to walk out the door, Mulder stops me by saying, "Sir." I turn. I don't like what I see. Scully is looking at Mulder and they are doing that silent communication thing that they do. Then she turns and looks at me, but then drops her head, staring at the bear I brought. "Sir. It's about work. We aren't coming back." Mulder was never one to beat around the bush. "What do you mean? You want a leave of absence?" The only response I get is a head shake. "You're quitting?" Those words roll out of my mouth but I can't believe them. Then, before my very eyes, they look at each other once more and a look of contentment passes over both of them, and Scully once more looks my way. "We're retiring," he tells me. "Retiring?" How can that be? How can they just stop searching for the truth? "Yes, retiring," Mulder affirms once more. I have to sit down. I find a chair by the door and have a seat. "But why?" I ask. "We are done. Through. Finished," he says, pauses but decides to continue, "We are finally at a point that we can let go and move on. I never thought I would be at that point, but after my return, I never felt the same way about our work. My abduction put things in perspective, and quite honestly my family comes first. We spent all night discussing it and we both feel the same way." Looking me directly in the eye, I know he is telling me the truth. "You can both just walk away?" I ask, not believing they can. "Yes," Scully answers."We can. We are tired. Tired of searching for answers, chasing down lead after lead, placing ourselves in danger, and really tired of seedy motels and greasy diner food." She leans back and looks at peace. Mulder does too. There is a peacefulness and happiness to their mood, even though we are discussing the death of their careers, their quest. "The quest is over. We found most of our answers, and we're content to leave the Holy Grail in someone else's hands. Quite frankly, we have more important things to do now," Mulder said, looking over at Scully and then they both looked at their newborn, now fast asleep in her Daddy's lap. I guess I was wrong. They can walk away without regrets. And deep down, I'm sad to see them go, but I'm happy for them both. If anyone deserves a happy ending, it's Mulder and Scully. I stand to leave and as I go, I remember that I never even asked what the baby's name is. "By the way, what's her name?" "Actually, that is still undetermined and in the process of debate at this time.," Scully responds with a jokingly irritated look on her face and then a glance at Mulder. "Well, let me know, once you two have duked it out, and decided," I jest, then wave good-bye. "Will do, Sir," I hear Mulder say as I leave the room. I chuckle to myself at the thought of them arguing over baby names. Knowing Mulder, the kid would end up with God knows what kind of name. Thank God Scully is there to keep him in the boundaries of good taste. They may not come back to work, but I know for certain that they won't have a dull life either. Most likely they will live off Mulder's inheritance and other good investments. I bet they move to the island Mulder was raised on, and there in turn raise their own child. As I walk down the hall, headed for the elevator, I think to myself that I am actually envious of them. Their contentment and happiness along with the love and respect they have for each other makes me think that they really do have it all. I step into the elevator and press the button for the ground floor. Most people like myself have to go back down to the ground, while the truly lucky and deserving people get to remain on top of it all. The End Send feedback. Thanks for reading!
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