Title: Ticket for One

Author: Cathey Scully

Rating: R

Category: A, R, S, Post-Col

Keywords: Mulder/Scully Romance, Williamfic, Post-Col

Spoilers: Only for the Prequel: Birthday Tickets

Summary: She always acted so strong, pretending for both their sakes
that she was okay.  Pretending that she didn't miss his dad so much.

Archive: Sure, if you’d like.  Just tell me where it’s
getting put.

Feedback: Please!  Send it to CatheyScully@the-pentagon.com or
ForeverXphile@adelphia.net 

Disclaimer: Mulder, Scully, and William aren’t mine.  Meran is. 
Please take no legal action against me, because I have no spare change
to give you, Mr. Carter.

Notes: A while back, I wrote "Birthday Tickets" and while I could
swear I sent it to the major archives, I guess I didn’t.  But
"Birthday Tickets" really haunted me until I couldn't ignore it
anymore, and wrote this sequel.

Other note: Hi, Jacob. : )

~	#	~

William Mulder pushed the hair off his forehead.  His mother was
crying again; that's what woke him.  She always acted so strong,
pretending for both their sakes that she was okay.  Pretending that
she didn't miss his dad so much.

He turned on his bedside lamp, sliding from bed and padding to his
mom's room.  Without knocking he slipped inside and crossed over to
his mom's side.  As he settled beside her, one of his hands rubbed her
back and the other brushed her hair.

"Mom, it's me," he murmured, his voice soft and soothing.  He made
sure to call her 'mom' because once before she'd woken and mistaken
him for his father.

"William," she sniffed, rolling over.  She sat up and reached for the
tissue he offered.  Without waiting for her to ask, William slid his
arms around her, guiding her head to his shoulder.  William held his
mother tightly, wishing his presence could erase the pain she felt.

"It's okay, Mom.  I'm gonna find them."  William vowed.

"No, William, no.  I'm not going to lose you too."

"I think Dad may still be alive."

"No William," she refused.  "He's dead.  He's dead and I'm not going
to risk your life too," Scully hugged William tightly.

William decided to relent and let the subject drop, but knowing that
the dreams he'd been having were occurring for a reason, but he wasn't
willing to upset his mother further.  Eventually she pulled away,
holding William's hand.

"Did you know that your dad and I were trying to have a baby?" she
asked softly, wiping her eyes.

"You were?"

"Yeah.  We were thinking, hoping.  As far back as when you were
little.  I found out I was pregnant right after he was kidnapped. 
After he died, I miscarried."

"Mom," William's throat closed.  "Is my being here making it worse?"

"No, Willy.  You're the only thing keeping me alive," she admitted,
sliding her arms around his waist.  He held her tightly, knowing
without a doubt that he had to find his dad.

"It's okay, Momma.  I'm gonna make it okay."

After his mother drifted off, he eased back into his own room, trying
not to wake the other occupant of the bed.  Meran tossed her arm
around his chest, nuzzling back into him.  He took her hand, kissing
her chilled fingers gently.

The next morning he was gone.  He left notes for his mother and Meran,
promising to take care of himself and come back home soon.  He set out
for one of the resistance checkpoints, hoping that they'd be able to
tell him the direction of prison where the invaders had kept important
people.  He had been in one on the west coast, but knew that there was
nobody left there.  He and Meran had seen to that.  If his father was
alive, he'd be in the east coast prison.

He found it within a week.  When he finally steeled his courage enough
to enter, he nearly gagged.  Death was in the air.  He bit his lip and
breathed through his mouth.  He climbed into the lower level, looking
in each individual cell.  When he came to he last one, he sighed.  He
leaned against the wall, fighting the sting of tears.  His dad was
gone, really.

He sank to the floor, burying his face in his knees.  He hadn't even
known his dad.  It wasn't fair.  His parents were good people, they
didn't deserve this shit.  He didn't deserve this either.

He let his head drop against the wall, shivering.  When the back of
his head hit the wood, a hallow sound echoed through the hall. 
William spun, looking up at the wall through the darkness.  It was
false.  He knew instantly that this was it.

William stood, looking around for something to hit against the wall. 
When he found nothing he began to kick, pounding his feet and fists
against the wall.  Finally it gave way.  William coughed when the
stale air filtered out.  He stepped inside gingerly, wishing that he'd
brought a flashlight   He closed his eyes, instead trying to focus on
where he was going.  Slowly he began to walk.

When the smell of stale vomit and urine assimilated his senses,
William knew he was there.  He opened his eyes, searching for his
father.  His dad was curled up in the corner, his body a mere glimpse
of what he'd once been.  William knelt down, his trembling hands
seeking out a pulse.

"Dad, Dad it's me.  It's William.  I'm going to take you home.  Dad
wake up."

He brushed his hands over his father's face, wishing that he'd done
something differently.  He should have looked harder, he should have
come sooner.

"Dad, please.  Mom needs you, I need you," he whispered, his hands
involuntarily beginning CPR.  William bit back a sob and leaned over
to give mouth to mouth.  Instead he ended up crying into his father's
neck.

"Daddy, please!" he whispered, thumping roughly on his dad's chest. 
Mulder coughed, spewing vomit and mucus onto the ground beside them. 
William rolled him onto his side, holding his head steady as the older
man began to panic.

"Who are you?  What do you want?"

"It's me, Dad.  It's William.  I'm gonna take you home to Mom.  It's
okay, you're gonna be okay."

"Just leave me alone, please."

"Dad, you sent me tickets to Yankees games every year on my birthday.
 You and Mom were trying to have a baby for over a year before I was
born, and you were trying to have another, even though I wasn't around
because I'd been adopted.  I’m your son, Dad.  I'm William.  I'm
not going to hurt you, I promise."

"Scully?"

"She's at home waiting for you, Dad.  She thinks you're dead.  She
didn't believe me when I said I knew different.  I snuck out, so she's
probably going to kick my ass when we get home."  William paused. 
"Can you walk?"

"I don't know."

"It's okay.  I can carry you if not.  Come on, hold onto me," William
ignored the filth surrounding them.

Mulder's grip was weak, but effective and so William was able to
support him as they limped through the catacombs.

Once they were out in the open, William was able to look over it his
dad.  He barely recognized him.  He was dingy; his hair was past his
chin, he was paper thin; his bones were poking through the tatters of
his clothes.  If William hadn't been sure that he'd have fallen over,
he would have hugged him for dear life.

"Come on, let's get you cleaned up.  Mom won't recognize you."

"How did you?"

"I felt it.  I felt you."

Mulder nodded limply.

~	@	~

William cupped his hands and lifted his water filled palms.  His dad
weakly sipped from his hands.

"Not too fast," he advised.

"Water's good."

"Yeah.  How long were you in there?"

"What year is it?"

"It's been about six months since you were taken.  Mom's believed that
you're dead for about 4 of them."

"I thought, I remember going back home.  And pain, I remember pain. 
But then I was in that room," Mulder coughed.

"It's okay.  I'll take you home."

"Not yet.  I can't, she shouldn’t have to see me like this.  You
shouldn't either."

William settled beside his dad.  He fished out a large bag of potato
chips, causing Mulder to chuckle.

"Eat," he ordered.  "I've got some scissors; I can cut your hair."

"Okay," Mulder answered around a mouthful.

"Do you really know who I am?"

"You're…William."

"Yeah, I'm William, your son."

"I know," Mulder smiled.  "You were a little boy the last time I saw
you."

"I know."

"Are you okay?"

"I am now."

"Does your mother know?"

"That I'm here?  She does.  She didn't when I left."

"Oh, William."

"Just come home with me and it's gonna be okay."

Mulder yawned, licking his lips.  "I'm disgusting."

"Come on.  I'll take you to wash up and then I'll cut your hair."

Thankfully Mulder was capable of bathing himself, even if he had to
sit down.  William handed him his change of clothes and settled behind
his dad, taking a comb through his damp hair.  In silence, he
methodically snipped off Mulder's hair until it was like he remembered
it being.

"There.  You're as good as new."

"I'm tired."

"You need to eat again.  You're too thin."

"You didn't eat."

"I'm okay."

"Eat with me then?"

"Okay," William agreed.

~	%	~

When they arrived at home over two weeks later, William had succeeded
in fattening his father up minutely.  He was at least recognizable as
Fox Mulder.  Every night of their trip home, they traded stories of
Scully.  However, Mulder was still reluctant to announce his return.

"Dad, she's not going to be mad at you.  If anything, she'll be mad as
hell at me," William shouldered his bag before reaching over and
tossing his arm around Mulder's shoulders.  Mulder gripped his waist
timidly, feeling like a child being forced to see Santa Claus.

"William, wait."

They stopped, and Mulder took the opportunity to stand on his own. 
William watched him expectantly, waiting for what he had to say.

"Thank you, William.  For risking yourself to help me, even though you
didn't even know me."

William hugged his still-frail father tightly.    Mulder returned his
hug with such force that he shook.  One of his hands landed on the
back of William's head, his fingers touching the stands of his son's
hair.

"I only wish I'd come sooner.  Maybe you wouldn't have been in such
bad shape.  And maybe mom could have been happier, sooner.  Maybe she
wouldn't have lost the baby," he finished softly, the words spilling
out of his mouth.  When he'd spilled the news to his father, they both
had cried.

"William, you can't blame yourself.  You're 17; you can't take on the
world.  This happened for a reason; I learned that a long time after I
really needed to.  Thankfully we can move on, right?"

William nodded, closing his eyes for a minute.  It felt nice not to be
the strong one, for once.  He enjoyed the glimpse of just being 17 and
normal.  Of being a boy with his dad.  After a second, his dad stepped
back.

"Are you ready?" William asked.  Mulder nodded.  "Okay, let's go home.
 It's about time I received my butt whooping."

~	!	~

The neighborhood was quiet as they walked through.  Mulder's strides
were getting faster and longer, despite his weakness.  William stopped
him as he almost walked past their house.  William grinned when his
girl stood up from her seat on the porch.  When Meran reached him, her
hands greedily pulling his head down to hers and locking lips with
him.

He was gasping for air when she released him.  He smiled, licking his
lips and brushing her cheeks.

"I've missed you too, Mer.  But I did it.  I found him."

Her eyes widened.  William nodded turning and introducing them.

"Meran, this is my dad.  Dad, this is Meran."

Meran shook his dad's hand.

"How's my mom?"  William asked slightly.  Meran's smile faded
slightly.

"She needs you, but she's been better than I'd expect."

"Okay," William led them to the porch.  Meran sat down with his dad,
smiling and trying to make him feel at home.

William opened the door, listening for his mom.  He found her cooking;
her shoulder's squared despite her feelings.

"Hi Mom."

She spun, turning and running to him, wrapping her arms around him. 
She covered his face with maternal kisses.

"My baby," she whispered.  "I'm so glad you're home."

"I am too, Mom.  I missed you."

"I missed you too, William."

"Come with me, I want to talk to you."

He led her into the living room and they sat, William holding both of
his mother's hands.

"I found him, Mom.  I brought him back with me.  He was in really bad
shape, and he still isn't 100%, but it's him.  I can feel it.  He's
totally human and he's alive."

Scully blinked, "How?  I – I held him in my arms as he died,
William.  I treated his wounds.  He was dead."

"I think he astral projected.  While he was being tortured, or even
when they were throwing him into this cell that I found him in, I
think he sent a part of himself home to you."

William reached over and wiped her eyes softly.  "He's waiting
outside.  He's nervous.  He's afraid you don't want to see him."

"Are you sure it's really him?"

"I wouldn't get your, our hopes up if it wasn't.  Can I bring him in?"

Scully nodded, squeezing his hands.  William kissed her forehead.

"I love you, Mom."

"I love you too, baby."

Mulder shot up immediately when William stepped out.

"She doesn't want to see me," he guessed.

"No, she does.  Come with me," William held out his hand.  Mulder took
his arm.

They walked slowly into the living room.  Scully was standing by the
window.

"Scully," Mulder whispered, removing his hand from William's arm.  She
turned, her hand covering her mouth.  After a second, she walked over
to them, her hands reaching out for him.

"Mulder.  Mulder, oh, Mulder," she threw her arms around his neck,
burying her face under his chin.

After a long moment, she pulled away, standing on tiptoes and kissing
him.  When they parted, she kissed his eyes and nose, worshipping his
presence.

"Sit down, Mulder."

"Am I still in trouble?" he asked, referring to the argument they'd
had before his capture.

"No, Mulder," she smiled, squeezing him tightly.  He stroked her
cheeks, bending to kiss her again.

William turned away, embarrassed to be watching his parents' amorous
reunion.  He smiled when Meran entered the room.  He crossed to her,
reaching for her hand.  Meran wrapped an arm around his waist, resting
her chin on his chest.

"You did a wonderful thing, William."

"Guess you've rubbed off on me."

~	#	~

Later that night

"Are you okay?"

"I should be asking you that," Scully smiled, running a hand down his
arm.  He nuzzled her neck, pulling her forward into his arms.  She
rubbed his back lightly, feeling his ribs.

"I wasn't the one who was crying when I came."

Scully kissed his eyelids, tasting salt.  "Liar."

"I'm okay.  I won't break," he told her, settling his head on her
pillow, stoking her cheek.

"Your son is just like you," she told him, shifting her hips closer to
him.  "Running off in the middle of the night, leaving notes."

He pulled her against his body, his mouth moving over her skin.  She
let her eyes drift shut as he lit the fire within her once more.

"He's also just like you.  His compassion, his strength.  He brought
me back.  I was half dead, Scully.  But then he was there."

"He's a miracle."

"He is," Mulder agreed, kissing her mouth slowly.  "Wanna make another
one?"

"Very much," she agreed, pulling him close and into her.

~	@	~

William winced comically as he passed by the closed door of his
parents' bedroom.  Meran chuckled, squeezing his hand.

"Come sit with me outside."

He sat on the porch swing and let her settle sideways beside him.  His
arms wound around her, holding her beneath the blanket she'd draped.

"Something tells me I'm going to have a brother in about 9 months," he
chuckled.

"What's wrong with a sister?"

"Nothing, as long as they're happy."

"Exactly."

"Don't get that look, Mer.  We're sure as hell not having a baby.  I
want to have some time with my dad before I become one."

"Yeah, yeah," she rolled her eyes.  William bent to kiss her gently.

"I love you, babe."

Meran snuggled into his arms, resting her cheek on his heartbeat. 
William smiled, starting to move the swing in a gentle motion.

"Mmm, call me babe again and you won't have kids.  But I love you,
too."

William grinned.

"By the way, William," Meran squeezed his arm.  "You should probably
get used to this bench," she grinned.

William groaned, "What've I done?"

End of Ticket for One

Author's Notes: Wow, this was longer than I expected.  I wrote it in
my little care bear notebook that Lauren gave me, and it didn’t'
seem to be 9 pages worth of material.  Well, in a way it did.  So
anyway, I hope you enjoyed my revisiting this universe, and fixing
things.