|
Title: Holiday Journal: Thanksgiving Summary: It's Turkey time and our two favorite agents drag Hunter to Thanksgiving dinner at Mrs. Scully's. Dinner isn't all it's cracked up to be as a budding relationship grows stronger, old issues come to the table, a new presence is felt and a case intrudes. Author's note: I realize that by the time these are all out and circulating, it will be way past the holiday season. I apologize now for extending the winter holiday season any longer than was necessary, but I really couldn't pass these up. As you can see from the title, this is a Thanksgiving story. I don't claim to write Mulder and Scully in the true Carter fashion, so please don't flame me for that. Oh, and I play around with the dates so that it's not limited to any particular year. This is fiction after all. Holiday Journal, Entry #5 November 28, 1996 It seems like so long ago that I wrote in this journal, but it's only been a little under a month. I am completely over what happened at Halloween, though S.B. and I aren't really sure what did happen. Suzannah Blake and I are the best of friends along with Christian Matheson. Our parents call us the Three Musketeers around us and the Three Stooges when they think we're not listening. Who are they trying to kid; we're children - we're always listening. I miss them. We haven't seen each other since last week (Our school doesn't meet at all during Thanksgiving week) and I know I'm suffering from friend withdrawal. Thank goodness we won't have to deal with this kind of thing over Christmas break or I'd go nuts. Daddy is talking it over with their parents to see if they can spend that time with us and I have the utmost confidence in his schmarm to get them to agree. Well, it's Thanksgiving Day and we're all here at Gram's house getting ready for dinner. Dana's brothers couldn't make it down for the holiday so she invited (Daddy said threatened) us to spend the day here. I really don't mind since I spend time here with Gram when Daddy and Dana are away. Daddy's uncomfortable and tense about something and Gram has her mind on things other than the dinner. I can't really read them like I used to: Trini had them take a course she taught called "Privacy and the Telepathic Child" so they would have some peace. Of course, Suzannah Blake rather amazingly found herself in the possession of one of the books and so, come next week, we'll know everything they do. Holiday Journal, Entry #6 6:27 pm I could pick up the hustle and bustle of activity going on in the dining room and kitchen and I knew the big dinner would soon be taking place. I closed my eyes and could see my dad and Dana working as a unit, as usual, around the area. Margaret Scully, my Gram, watched in awe as they arranged the various dishes they had brought. "Fox, I had no idea you knew how to cook. What other secrets are you hiding in there?" she asked rather innocently. Fox Mulder, my dad, grinned at the woman he considered a second mother. "I can also sew a pretty mean stitch," he continued to add the swordfish pieces to the hot olive oil in the deep fryer as he talked. He was out to impress Gram and he was succeeding."In that and cooking, my mother was a pretty strong believer that boys should learn the basics. She always faulted my grandmother for raising her sons as was expected but not teaching them anything useful and she fought my dad so that I wouldn't end up like that." I couldn't wait to meet my other Grandmother; she sounded cool. He finished and turned to Maggie. "Since it's just Hunter and me, I usually don't do anything fancy. But I decided to give you a taste of my rather exotic repertoire." He sure called that one. We usually dined on fish sticks, not swordfish. Dana Scully passed them rolling her eyes and making little noises. She knew what Daddy was trying to do and she wasn't buying it. I had missed Dana these last few days. For a moment, Gram's attention focused on her daughter and I could feel her puzzlement, but soon she returned it to her partner. "Exotic is right. Fried swordfish with Mediterranean Spices, cream of cabbage soup with smoked fish, beef tenderloin with sage, rosemary, and arugula and rosemary focaccia bread definitely adds a little spice to a traditional Thanksgiving meal." "We never had straight, 'traditional' Turkey Day dinners," Daddy continued as he casually flipped the swordfish fillets. "Mom thought holidays were the perfect time to try new things and as long as they didn't interfere with Holy Days, she went all out. I thought it might be fun, so I took a page from her book." Can't you just see the recipe book, 'Delightful Dishes for Dysfunctional Families.' "And, you know Mulder: never one to miss going all out," Dana remarked from the corner. Uh oh. They were back at it. I had hoped this would have died down by now, but I guess it hadn't. So much for a quiet Thanksgiving. "Only for those I care about, Scully." He grabbed the ball and ran with it. I hate football metaphors, but this seemed perfect. Even from a distance, I could feel the room grow cold, and I didn't blame Gram when she took this time to leave the room. "I'm going to go check on Hunter. Don't kill each other before dinner." Of course, I didn't really appreciate her using me as her excuse to bail, but I guess any port in the storm. I could sense her walking through the house searching for me and I knew she had discovered my hiding place before she finally located me on the swing on the front porch. "Don't you think it's a little cold out here for swinging?" November in Maryland cold? Of course not. I shrugged my shoulders. "I'd rather freeze out here than get a headache in there." We had noticed that whenever they got into it, I'd get these ferocious headaches from all of the tension floating around. Dad still hadn't learned how to shield as well as he should, especially when he was angry. "It is pretty intense in there. What's going on? "They're fighting because of something that was said a few weeks ago. It's been like this for a few days." Gram put her arm around me and helped me stand. I had been out here for a while and I felt like a walking Fudgesicle. "Why don't you tell me about it in the house." I love my Gram; she understands a lot more than any of the others. We returned to the warmth of the house and sat on the couch. "Now, what's going on with those two; Dana wouldn't say anything when I asked." All I could do was sigh. The big blow-up had done that to me. I was depressed because all of my dreams were slowly disappearing right before my eyes."Dad's angry over something Dana said to Trini about me. He 'listened' to one of their conversations and blew his top." "What did she say?" "Dana and Trini were talking about how well he was doing with me, especially considering his track record. Trini told Dana about some of her doubts and how she was glad she hadn't said anything to Sara." Sara Duncan was my case advocate when we were trying to get adopted. I stopped talking and started playing with my hands. What I was about to tell her hurt. A small part of me felt betrayed and terrified of what could have happened and what did happen."Even though Daddy tells me not to listen to people without their permission, he was listening to see if he could get any blackmail stuff from them. When Dana told Trini she had mentioned her doubts and how she didn't think Mulder was able to take care of a child to Sara, he turned all sorts of colors and went in and interrupted them. Trini came in and checked on me and left as soon as she could and they've been like that ever since." I could see the pity in Gram's eyes as she looked at me and she hugged me, "They'll work it out; they always do. Don't give up hope. We just have to give them a wide berth and keep all of the possible weapons out of their reach." See. I knew she'd understand and make me feel better. A hopeful look crossed my face and then my eyes grew wide as I pictured something that had just crossed Dana's mind, "They're in the kitchen together with knives and appliances that could probably do major damage. Maybe we should supervise." Gram must have sensed something too because she agreed and we headed back to the kitchen. The scene that greeted us could have graced the cover of a domestic magazine, except that neither of the subjects came within three feet of each other. Dana was the first to notice us in the doorway. "I see you found her." She flashed us a loving smile as she removed a large bowl of frosting from the refrigerator. "I was just about to search for you to let you know we're almost done here. When can we start putting the food on the table?" I glanced at Gram when I felt her nervousness skyrocket. Uh oh. Something else was up. I tried to casually probe, but her doors were locked. Dang it! I wish I had looked at that book when Suzannah Blake had first 'found' it. "I want to wait until our other guests arrive. They should be here any minute." "What other guests, Mom? I thought the boys couldn't make it down this year." Dana was curious and that was a dangerous thing. "They couldn't, but I wasn't referring to them. I invited some other people over." My dad stopped slicing his bread and turned to watch as Dana put her hands on her hips. I read him like a book and I also noticed how quickly and quietly he hid the knife from Dana's view. "You invited someone else to a family dinner? Who?" Gram seemed to relax and she chuckled at her daughter's expression. It seems that all Scully women are born brave. "You'll see when they get here." As if on cue, the doorbell rang and she moved to answer it. I really didn't want to be too close to Dana so I followed her about halfway. "Speak of the devil ..." She glanced through the peephole and with a big grin, opened the door. "It's about time. I was beginning to worry." All eyes were fastened on the door trying to catch a glance of our mystery guest. Before he actually came into view, I had sensed who it was and I knew Dad had too. Poor Dana was still in the dark as ... Assistant Director Walter Skinner entered the house with a big smile, a wink at me and a kiss on the cheek for Gram. He kissed Gram! My DA kissed my Gram! Omigosh, who'd a thunk it! "It was a struggle to get out the house, but you know I wouldn't miss this." He looked around the room as he scooped me into his arms. "Happy Thanksgiving, Hunter." I kissed him on his forehead and he turned to the others. "Agents Mulder and Scully...." "I don't want any of that today. As of this moment, it's Maggie, Dana, Fox, Walter, Hunter and ..." Gram stopped and looked around the door. "Where is he, Walter? Don't tell me you left him at the house alone!" "Of course not, Meg." He lowered me and walked back to the door. DA stepped outside and just stood out there for a minute with his arms crossed. I was really confused because I couldn't sense anything, but when he returned, he seemed normal. "I told you he didn't want to come; he put up resistance the whole way and I suppose this was his last stand." DA took off his coat and tossed it over my head blocking my view of everything. I was not amused, but I recognized I would be under immediate suspicion if he were to spontaneously burst into flames. I suppose that once the mystery guest had been identified and placed in the "safe to break bread with" category, no one cared who the "he" was. After the shock of having the Assistant Director show up, Dad wouldn't have been surprised if Uncle Fro, Uncle Byers and Langley (He refused to let me call him Uncle; I think it brought back his memories of being beat up in the schoolyard, especially since I'm a girl) had been invited. Dana was still in shock from hearing her boss call her mother Meg. She kept looking at him like he had somehow become Cancerman (Oops, I forgot. The P.C. term is Cigarette-Smoking Man. I prefer what my daddy calls him - Black-Lunged Son of a B .... Uh oh. He's staring at me. Why is it that profanity practically screams in the telepathic world? I can't get away with any of it.) and called a truce for the turkey's sake. She was not happy and an unhappy Dana is a danger indeed. Gram and DA were huddled together near the table with Dana keeping a close eye on them from the kitchen doorway. Dad was staying as far away from his partner as possible and I was trying to figure out who to be with when I felt him. I turned to face the door as if in a trance. DA and Gram must have noticed me because they stopped talking and turned to look at what I was watching. There, in the doorway, stood a boy. "It's about time you stopped hiding out in the car. You had Meg believing I had left you." "If it would've gotten me out of this, then it works for me." The boy glared at Skinner. He was a little taller than me with black curly hair and olive skin. I suppose, in another reality, he would have been considered cute. To me, he was a boy - 'nuff said. "This is silly; I don't know anyone here." Gram walked over to him and helped him with his coat. "You know me and Walter. That's enough for now. And, soon, you'll know everyone else." She ruffled his hair and as he squirmed to fix it back, she turned to me. Oh, great! "Hunter, Dana, Fox, I'd like you to meet someone." Dad and Dana walked up behind me. "Okay Boy and Girls, this is Master Dante Lorenzo Guiliani. Dante, this is my daughter Dana, her partner, Fox Mulder and his daughter, Hunter." By his obvious expression, it was easy to tell he wasn't too impressed with us. Believe me, the feeling was mutual. "So, you're the ones Skinner's always droppin' Maalox over. You don't seem like much." "Said the pot to the kettle," I mumbled under my breath. He must have heard me because he turned those black (Yes. Black eyes!) on me. Before I could stop myself, I cringed. "Oh wow! Looks like a munchkin escaped from Oz!" "That's enough, Dante." DA used that tone. "Go get the beverages out of the car." When the boy looked like he was going to protest, DA put his hands on his hips and took on a look that even made my dad shiver. Mr. Dante quickly revised his need to speak and headed out the door. "Sorry about that. He tends to be a little prickly around authority figures." He shrugged. "Hell, he's prickly around everybody." He looked at Gram. "Sorry, Meg." Dad couldn't resist. "Is he yours? It would explain that antagonistic spirit." "No, Fox, he isn't mine. He's my foster son." "Foster son? I ..." Dana was at a loss for words. That made two of us. I know I attached myself to him like a dog to a bone, but for him to willingly take in a child! I was waiting for this explanation like I was waiting for my inheritance. DA ran his hand over his head and adjusted his glasses. "We sort of found each other a few months back. I was minding my own business and he decided I didn't need my wallet." I noticed he looked at Gram almost like he needed her support. It didn't take a psychic to pick up on Dana's feelings on that situation: she was not happy. "Instead of tossing him into the system, I pulled a few strings. Sharon and I had once applied to be foster parents. So, I had my status updated and convinced a few people that I would be better for the boy than some group facility and he's been with me ever since." Dad excused himself and practically ran to the kitchen where we could hear him laughing. Dana just stood there with her mouth slightly open and stared at DA as if he had suddenly grown two heads. Gram quietly sat beside him with her most serene look on her face. And, I couldn't figure out how I felt. This was not how I had expected our Thanksgiving to go. The silence was almost to the point where it was nerve-wracking when the Boy Wonder returned. He was carrying two brown paper bags and held one out to me. "Make yourself useful, Hunter." I turned on my heel and walked into the kitchen without the bag. Dad was staring out the window and turned to me when I entered. I walked up beside him and turned to face the entryway just as the little crud-wad walked in. "Nice to see you're capable of performing manual tasks. I was almost afraid you couldn't walk in here and carry the bags at the same time." "Isn't it fascinating to hear you mouthing off next to your daddy." As he turned to put the bags on the counter, I started focusing on teaching him a little lesson of ... Dad put his hand on my shoulder and stopped me. It wasn't fair! He deserved it! Then the little jerk turned back to us and looked me straight in the eye. "Daddy knows how to stop a lot of things, doesn't he? I couldn't believe it! He knew what I was going to do and how my dad stopped me. The little creep was one of us! I returned his glare and for a moment I felt fear before he covered it. He nodded at me and headed back to the others. At first, I couldn't wait to nail DA on bringing another telepath around, but then I figured out what that glimpse of fear was. He was afraid he'd let something slip that he shouldn't have and he was scared of others finding out. Now what was I supposed to do? "What was that about?" Dad asked. Just my luck. Before I can decide whether or not to blow the demon seed's secret, Mr. Intuitive starts asking questions. "Who knows what's going on in his mind. He's a boy after all." Dad laughed and ruffled my hair. "Well, if he keeps up the attitude, just ignore him. I don't need Skinner on my back any more than he already is." I couldn't resist. "What is it this time?" It was times like these when I wanted to see his elementary school report card to see whether or not he got along well with others back then. "I wanted to investigate a case in Denton, Texas and he wouldn't approve it. When I asked him his reasoning, he gave me some lame excuse about needing time to recover after this one. I didn't like his answer, so I haven't let him in on any of my new insights on this case." "That'll show him you're adult enough to deal with his decisions." I couldn't help myself. I just had to roll my eyes on that one. I love him bunches but he probably couldn't cooperate himself out of a paper bag. "You are not setting a good example for the child." He swiped at my face and started gathering the various dishes for the table. "How about if said child helps me take this stuff out there and then enjoys the holiday meal as quietly as possible." I grabbed the bread and headed for the door. "Only if the adult promises to play nice at the dinner table." Daddy pretended to chase after me, but stopped when he saw Dana on the other side of the doorway. She still didn't look too happy, but, at least she wasn't still shooting daggers at DA. Gram was setting the table with the help of DA and the Toad and she smiled and winked at me when I put the bread down. With the exception of me, she seemed to be the only one in the room without any tension. We all managed to prepare the table for the feast without hurting each other and Gram stopped to survey our handiwork. "I do believe just about everything's out and looking wonderful." She turned and looked at each of us. "Looks like we made a terrific team after all." She smiled and walked to DA. "Walt, would you mind helping me with the bird?" He nodded and headed for the kitchen. Gram scanned us and motioned toward the table. "You guys grab your seats, but leave the two ends for me and Walt." "The Ends? As in, your and Dad's places?" Dana questioned. At her tone, my dad moved a little in front of me so that I wouldn't be in the direct line of fire and Dante took a step back. Gram stood her ground, though, and with her best 'Skinner tone' answered, "You mean my place and my guest's." "You're making a powerful statement by seating him there. Are you sure you want to do that?" Gram sighed. "Contrary to what you may think, I am a grown woman and quite capable of making decisions on my own. The seating arrangements stand." And with that, she walked into the kitchen. "I'll grant Margaret this; she's tough," Dante commented as he found a place. Dana just glared at him as she took the chair beside him leaving me and Dad on the other side. I was across from Dana and Dante had the direct view of my dad and neither of them seemed happy. I just sat there and tried not to laugh out loud. *This isn't funny, Squirt.* At first I thought my father had caught me especially with that name, but then I realized the mind-voice was all different. *Yeah, I have this in three-way.* My eyes grew large and I was just getting ready to say something, ... *Wait! Don't tell. I don't want anyone else to know." *Why?* Remember that curiosity thing. Well, it was back full force. *With this group, no one would be surprised.* Neither of the adults at the table were aware of our silent talk, which meant he was pretty good at shielding. *I have my talents and reasons.* *Will you stop reading my thoughts without my permission! Didn't anyone ever tell you that was impolite as well as a breach in privacy?* Dante rolled his eyes. *You are so green. Your "Daddy" has you on a tight leash.* *Yeah, well, at least I'm not playing mind games!* I almost stuck out my tongue, but I remembered Dana and Fox didn't know we were talking. *I wonder what DA and Gram would say if they found out what you had been hiding.* *They wouldn't get the chance to say anything because I would be long gone.* I had to admire him for his coolness: he unfolded his napkin and put it in his lap like nothing was going on. *It's something I don't want others knowing; it could get real nasty if it got out. The only reason you know is because I slipped up and didn't cover well enough. Promise you won't say anything?* He had some nerve! The little beast had practically mocked me the whole time he'd been here and now he was asking for my help. I barely shrugged my shoulders. *I'll think about it.* With that, I shut him out and focused on the growing war between the others. "Mulder, you shouldn't have been listening in." Fire flashed in his eyes as he answered, "That's not an excuse for what you said. I couldn't believe you felt that way!" Dana sighed and raised her eyes. "Are you forgetting, Trini said she felt the same way. She had the same concerns." "Yeah, but she didn't bring them to the attention of the woman who could have kept me and Hunter apart!" "I only did what I thought was best for her." She lowered her eyes and her shoulders slumped. "You have to admit you haven't been the most responsible of people in the past or the most understanding. And, as a psychologist, you of all people should know that a special needs child needs both of those in abundance. I just didn't see those in you. I'm sorry, Mulder." Dad turned away from her and stared out the window. He seemed to have lost some of himself after she finished. "I don't know if that will be enough, Scully. I keep thinking about how close I could have been to losing her. That scares me and it hurts." Dante and I were both waiting to hear Dana's response when DA and Gram reappeared with a huge cooked turkey. It looked wonderful and smelled so heavenly. I took an even bigger breath and ... I suddenly felt dizzy. Dad must have picked up on it because he reached to steady me. By the time DA had put the bird in the spot of honour, I was feeling terrified. I couldn't explain it for the life of me and the others were getting worried. As I looked at the bird, a scene started forming in my mind and I had to control the screams that were threatening to take over. I could feel Daddy's arms around me and his mind probing mine, but I couldn't shake what I was seeing. He said something to Gram, lifted me and headed out of the room and up the stairs. By the time we had made it to one of the guest bedrooms, I was feeling a lot better. *Are you okay, Baby-girl?* He asked as he lowered me to the bed. *You had me kind of worried.* *I'm okay, now.* He kneeled in front of me and cradled my face. *What happened? You seemed fine and then suddenly you seemed to lose all control.* I know this is going to sound weird, so bear with me. *It was the turkey.* I paused just long enough to take a breath. *I saw how it died and I ...* I had to stop there; what I had seen was just too brutal for words. I could tell he was struggling to understand. *Why this bird? We've had chicken and turkey before and it's never affected you like that.* I shrugged because I couldn't explain it. Daddy just looked at me a few minutes and laid me back on the pillows. *Why don't you rest here and I'll go let everyone know you're okay. Maybe all of us together can figure out what triggered this.* He kissed me and pulled the homemade quilt from the bottom of the bed over me. I watched him as he stood and headed back downstairs. I closed my eyes and had my mind follow him back to the others. I was a little scared of doing this because of what had just happened, but I guess since it was only my mind down there, the turkey wasn't affecting me. Dana was standing near the door and questioned him as soon as he came into view. "Is Hunter all right?" "As far as I can tell, she's fine. In fact, she was better as soon as we put some distance between her and the bird." I could feel Gram's sense of humor returning once she knew I was fine. "Fox, are you saying that was some weird allergic reaction to my turkey?" Dad grinned. "That's what it seems like." He shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "She mentioned seeing how it died, but that's all." A wicked grin crossed his face. "I take it this wasn't a Butterball." "Not even close. My neighbor's father had raised some on his farm and given them to him. He, in turn, had given me one for something I had done for him and his family a while back. They dropped it off a few days ago after they kill ..." It was like a light had suddenly come up on her face. "Jarrod brought it over shortly after he had cleaned it up." She shook her head. "Hunter was seeing Jarrod killing the turkey. That's what freaked her out." DA stood with a look of disbelief on his face. "Can she do that, Mulder?" "I guess so. We'd never had to run up against this because our food came from processing plants. I don't think she's ever had a fresh kill before." Dante snorted as he tried to hold in his laughter, the little creep. "This is like too twisted. You guys should take this act out on the road." DA turned a look on the boy that would have melted him if my dad's cell phone hadn't rung. He went over to the coat stand and pulled it out of his pocket and turned it on. "Mulder." He listened for a few minutes and then, "We'll be right there. Don't worry about contacting AD Skinner; he's here with me and Agent Scully. Don't let anyone go in until we get there and have Amy start distributing the vests." He hung up and turned back to the others. "That was Agent Carrie. They have Pagano holed up in a warehouse in town and they want us there." This sounded like trouble and Gram must have agreed. "On Thanksgiving? Do you have to go?" Dad and Dana were already putting on their coats when DA walked over and put his hands on Gram's arms. "I'm sorry, Meg, but this one's important. We've been after this guy for a while and he's left a trail of bodies all over the tri-state area." He smiled at her and leaned in to kiss her. "We'll make it up to you, I promise." She smiled at him and pushed his glasses farther back on his nose. "See that you do." Gram and Dante walked them to the door and watched as they agreed to take Dana's 4x4. Just as they were about to get in, she yelled. "Be careful and ..." I didn't hear the rest as something flashed across my mind causing me to jump up. I focused on the image and froze. It felt like a window had been opened and frozen all of my insides. I barely heard the car drive off and I don't know how long I stayed in that spot. The next thing I remembered was hearing Gram and Dante laughing over something downstairs. I quietly walked to the door and opened it and headed down to them. I felt like I was in a daze, and Gram later said I looked like I was in some sort of trance when she saw me. I found them clearing the table and I just stood in the doorway between the kitchen and the dining room. Gram stopped what she was doing and moved to me. "Hunter, are you all right?" I just looked up at her. "We'd better hurry. We only have a few hours to get the dinner cleared and the house secure before we have to leave for the hospital." Gram looked stunned and Dante was quiet for a change. She recovered quickly and started asking questions. "What are you talking about? Have you seen something?" My head tilted a little to the left as I seemed to think about what I saw. Gram swears up and down that my eyes were flashing like a green fire before I answered, "It'll be touch and go for a while, but everything will be okay." November 28 We had been waiting for over an hour at the hospital. Almost three hours after I told Gram what I had, a phone call came in telling us to get to the hospital as soon as we could. The caller wouldn't tell Gram who was hurt or how bad the injuries were over the phone. Once she finished, I could feel her eyes on me as we put on our coats and headed to the car. Maybe feel is the wrong word; I felt nothing. I was numb, and, for once in my life, that felt real good. I hadn't said a word since I warned Gram, but that was fine because neither had either of them. No one would tell us what was going on other than the basics. The raid had gone wrong and instead of being alone, Pagano was with two guys, Lokey and Lazo, who had opened fire on the agents. The three of them had died, but they had killed five agents and injured fourteen others. We didn't know where our group fit into that list; we just knew they were there. It was easy to see Dante and I were in pretty bad shape. I almost didn't want to believe it, but Dante seemed really shaken up over possibly losing DA. He seemed to be holding back tears, and, in that instant, I decided he couldn't be all that bad. Though she didn't show it, Gram had to be in worse shape - three of the people she loved the most were hurt, dead or dying, and there was nothing she could do about it. "I want you kids to stay here. I'm going to try again to see what's going on." Gram patted our hands and started to stand when something caught her eye. Dante raised his head at her gasp and looked in the direction she was. Before anything could be said, he was up and running across the waiting area and into DA's arms. Gram stood watching them and offering quiet prayers of thanks before she remembered I was there and I wasn't reacting. "Hunter, I'm sure Fox and Dana are fine since Walter is." She dropped down to her knees in front of me. "They probably were banged up a little and had to come here to be checked out. We're just worrying for nothing." No, she was worrying for nothing; I had good reason to worry. I know I had said everything was going to be okay earlier, but my mind wouldn't let me forget that was the last thing I heard my birth mother say right before she ... I just couldn't shake this bad feeling. What if I were wrong? DA limped over to us with Dante almost attached to his hip. He offered Gram his hand in getting off the floor and then pulled her into his arms and kissed her. (A bit dramatic, but I'm a kid and a lot of my life is wrapped up in fairy tales!) What actually happened is he offered her his hand, she refused and then he practically fell into her arms in exhaustion. I liked my version better. Gram helped him to a seat and Dante pushed me away trying to stay close to him. I guess nothing helps you to appreciate those around you like a good case of fear. "I see the hospital staff didn't listen when I told them not to call." "Obviously not and shame on you for trying to keep us away." She fussed as she tried to make him comfortable. "I was just ... I didn't want you to have to deal with any of this." DA looked around the room, taking in the various clumps of people in differing stages of fear and grief. "I guess I was trying to keep you away from this a little longer." "It's something I've had to deal with in the past and it looks like it's going to be a part of my future as well. I don't need protecting, Walter Sergei Skinner." He sighed and his eyes darkened. "Judging by the number we have here, I can't protect anybody worth a damn. We've lost seven agents and the total could go higher before the night's over." Gram was really afraid now. "Seven? We heard it was only five." DA sighed. "We lost one in the ER and one in surgery right before I came out. Dana told me to come out here and rest and she would check on the others for me." He was so wrapped up in his own world that he didn't notice Gram's relief at his words. "That damn reporter! We've lost seven good people and possibly more just because he wanted to try for an anchor job. We'll see if it was worth it when I send the grieving families to his doorstep." "Some of the agents told us there was a leak and they knew you were coming. The agents credited your A team with there not being more casualties." DA got the weirdest look on his face, but before he could respond, Dana was walking up to us. "Nice to know the staff around here doesn't listen to ADs either." She moved to Gram who had stood as soon as she saw her daughter. "Hi, Mom." They tried to hug as gracefully as possible, but it wasn't happening because of the brace on Dana's left arm. "Funny seeing you here." "Not really. Are you all right?" Dana attempted to shrug until she realized that hurt, then she smirked and moved to sit beside me. "I'm fine. I just dislocated my shoulder on the way down." She nodded in DA's direction. "We're going to have to watch him all night because of the concussion and twisted ankle he received. He refused to stay overnight, so we have to play Florence Nightingale and Clara Barton." "Well, I suppose we can put him and Fox in your brothers' room since I'm sure we're going to have to keep an eye on both of them." Our little area suddenly grew deathly quiet and still and Gram's grin slowly disappeared. DA looked really uncomfortable and Dana put her good arm around me. Not again! I couldn't handle this again! "Mulder won't be coming home tonight ... or for a while." She was trying to hold back tears but wasn't doing so well. "He took two bullets and he's in surgery right now." All eyes turned to me, but I couldn't do anything. For now, I was safe behind the wall I had built ever since my premonition. It was the same type I had used when my birth parents were killed and it had helped me then. Dana just pulled me tighter to her as DA started talking. "We all would have been a lot worse off if ... Mulder hadn't, for want of a better word, 'sensed' something was up. Before we knew what was happening, he had knocked both of us down and was unconscious beside us." He shook his head. "Judging from where he was hit, he saved both our lives. The vests were no good; they were using cop-killers." The only sound that could be heard around our little area was the soft crying of one of the ladies who had come in with us. No one spoke for such a long time that when the doctor started speaking, we all jumped. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you. Agent Scully, could I speak with you for a minute?" Dana settled me back in the seat and stood. She stiffened her shoulders and walked over to where he was waiting for her. This was it. I tried to reach out to touch Daddy with my mind, but, either my wall was too thick or ... Anyway, I couldn't reach him. I thought about breaking through my wall and trying harder, but I couldn't take that chance. If I lowered it just a bit, I knew I'd follow him wherever he was going because I couldn't handle loosing another part of my heart. With my head bowed, I heard Dana walking slowly back to us and then stopping in front of me. She placed her good hand on the top of my head and ran it down the side of my face until it was cupping my chin. I felt her lifting my head, but I kept my eyes down. This was it! I was never going to see my dad's grin just before he set out to do something he shouldn't. I was never going to hear him sing to me in his good-if slightly off key voice- in his last-ditch effort to put me to sleep. He was never going to hold me ever again! He ... No! I had to stop this. I had to stay focused or my walls would fall and I couldn't let them. We'd get through this, just like we always had. Only, ... the 'we' had always been him and me. "Hunter." Dana quietly called my name and I could feel her almost willing me to raise my eyes. "Hunt, look at me, please." I heard the strength in her voice and I knew I couldn't ignore her plea. I slowly raised my eyes, fearing what I'd see. And then I stopped. I suppose the confused look on my face must have tickled her because the happiest laugh joined the biggest smile I had ever seen on her face. "He's going to be fine, Hunt." She pulled me into her arms and caressed my hair. "It was touch and go for a while, but everything's going to be okay." November 29 We were all seated around a cafeteria table with bunches of sandwiches, wrappers, cans and cups in front of us. Somehow, Dana and DA had convinced the doctor to allow us to go in to see my dad in two groups after they put him in his room. I had gone in with Dana and she had held my hand as I 'communicated' with him. He was pretty out of it; moreso because we were in his mind and they had him pumped up on some intense pain killers. I walked out of there with lots of love and the knowledge that in codeine land, I was a purple princess with horns and a sharp sword (Even under the influence of drugs, his symbolism was pretty obvious.) and Dana was ... Dana. Only, hisDana. My life was getting better. But, back to the table. DA and Gram and Dante were sitting across from me and Dana (I'm my dad's daughter; I like symbolism, too). I had heard Gram ask if everything was all right between her and Daddy. Dana just smiled and told her that first thing after he was fully conscious and aware, Dad was going to have paperwork drawn up saying that Dana would be my guardian if anything happened to him. I didn't like the thought of losing him too much, but, it did mean he really trusted her. DA groaned as he stretched. One of his hands went to Dante's shoulder and the other found Gram's hand below the table. "This was not how I envisioned this Thanksgiving." Dana chuckled. "Knowing Mulder, we should have expected this." Gram and DA tried to hold back their own laughter, but they were too tired to succeed. I suddenly felt incredibly tired and decided the table looked too hard for sleeping. So, I leaned onto Dana and she wrapped me in her good arm. I sighed as I started to drift asleep. Gram sighed and I opened my eyes to see her smiling and looking at all of us. "You know, this is really what Thanksgiving is all about." She hit DA as he snickered. "No, not about Fox ending up in the hospital again, but about us. We're alive and we're loved." She winked at DA and Dante and nodded at Dana. "All loved and that's what's important." I had felt Dana stiffen when Gram was talking. I could tell this wasn't all joy and flowers. We were in for a bumpy ride. Dante must have sensed the tension because he suddenly decided to add his two cents. "I can't wait till next Thanksgiving. We might actually get around to having an honest to God turkey dinner!" I couldn't resist. "As long as it's processed, I'll be there." And then I promptly drifted into dreamland. The End
|