Title: Little Girl Grows Up Author: Natasha Luepke Disclaimer: If they were mine, I'd get to be a writer on the show. Instead, I get to write papers for my English Lit class. Joy. Spoilers: Be up to date on your Ratboy eps. Category:S Rating: PG, PG-13, I'm real bad at this rating thing... Summary: Love. Notes: Um, I hope I haven't offended anyone with this. For the record, I am *both* Catholic and from the Midwest. And I admit it--I love the show "Remember WENN" (boycott AMC!); if you know the show you'll see a scene in the story similar to one on that show. I've written some Remember WENN fanfic,as a matter of fact. You can find it at: http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/fulbourne/100/wenn.html More notes at the end. Dedicated to Nat. ** "I think a flashback is just like a vivid memory; it should happen in an instant, just like that." --Betty, "Magic" "Remember WENN" ** October 30, 1999 "Sam?" "Fox--hey, give me a sec." I turned away from the phone. "Grey, burp the baby." I handed my husband Annie Blue, then returned to my brother on the phone. "Yeah, sorry Fox, what's up?" "Sam, Scully and I have decided to get married." * *~*~*~*~ September 23, 1994 "Sam..." began Grey as he finished a final bite of carne quesadilla. "Yeah?" I said around a mouthful of fajita. "We've been together, what, two and a half years now, right?" "Yes, that's right. It's been wonderful, Grey," I said, looking him straight in the eye. 'Here it comes,' I thought. 'The "I'm-not-ready-for-commitment-speech."' "Well, Sam...I think we should be friends..." "Grey, are you doing what I think you're doing? I, uh, have tobassaco sauce and am not afraid to use it!" He cocked an eyebrow. "Sam, what I'm trying to say is: We are friends. Best friends. And it *has* been wonderful. And I think it'll stay that way..." He began fumbling around in his pockets. He finally produced a small black box. "Marry me," he said, pushing it towards me. I held the box for a moment. Thirty years old and my first marriage proposal. I opened the box carefully, afraid it would disintegrate in my hands. Inside was a ring--silver, which I always liked better than gold, inlaid with turquoise, my favorite stone. "Sam?" Grey whispered softly. "It's beautiful," I said. "You're beautiful. Life is beautiful!" I jumped up from my chair; Grey stood at the same time. We embraced, crying and laughing and shouting. The restaurant gave us free flan. ~*~*~*~*~*~ 10/30/99 "Fox, that's wonderful! I'm so happy for you! Dana is a wonderful woman." "Thank you, Sam." "Really, brother, I was wondering how long it would take you kids." "You sound like both Mom and Mrs. Scully." ~*~*~*~*~*~ 9/23/94 The first person I called when I got home was Miri, since she had set up the original blind date between Grey and I. We screamed and cried. Then I called Kate--same reaction. Then I called my father, in New York. "Hello?" "Um, hello, this is Samantha. Is my father there?" I never knew who would answer the phone. "One moment." "Sam? What is it? I'm in the middle of something..." "I'm sorry, Dad, but Grey and I--we're getting married!" "Married?" "Yup. Soon as possible, hopefully." "Honey, that's wonderful. We'll talk more once I get to town." I sighed. "Yes, Dad." ~*~*~*~*~*~ 9/25/94 Alexis stopped by that morning for coffee. "Been awhile," I said, as I set cups down in front of us. "Sorry, Sam, been busy..." He looked down at my hand. "Beautiful ring, Sam, where'd you get it?" I grinned, unable to keep my secret any longer. "Alexis, Grey and I are getting married!" He stared at me for a moment, a look of shock on his face. "Married?" "Yes. Details still have to be worked out..." He sighed. "Congratulations, Sam." ~*~*~*~*~*~ 10/30/99 "Oh, Fox. I'm just happy for you. Set a date yet?" "No, although Mrs. Scully wants a big Catholic wedding for her daughter." "That'd be interesting...What religion are we, anyway?" "Mom never told you? What type of name do you think 'Mulder' is?" "We had other things to discuss, Fox. You know what Mom's photo albums look like." "Good point. We're Jewish, Sam." "Funny, 'Fox' doesn't sound Jewish." ~*~*~*~*~*~ As it was, I only met my mother in the first part of the month. I spent the weekend at her house, going over old pictures, old memories, showing her my books...She later spent the weekend with Grey, Annie Blue, and me. We had entire lifetimes to catch up on; religion didn't come up. Tina Mulder wasn't exactly what I'd expected, but she was...relieved, glad, ecstatic to know I was alive. She could be a little cold at times, though, a little distant. She didn't relate much of the past...more family history, or happy memories of Fox and I. ~*~*~*~*~*~ 10/30/99 "Ah, that impeccable wit strikes again." "Shut-up, Fox. Pick a date yet?" "No. Um, are you busy this weekend? I need to schlep all of my things to Scully's apartment." "I thought Catholics looked down on that." "Now, Sam, I only said her mom wanted a Catholic wedding." I rolled my eyes. "*Grey* and I didn't live together before getting married." "Sam, will you help or not?" "Yes. I'll call Grey's sisters. They'd love to help--they adore you and Dana." "Do they." "Oh, yeah. They think that Dana is 'cute' and 'underfed.'" "Hmm, gotta go, Samantha. Good night." "Good night, Fox. And congratulations again." I set the phone back in the cradle and sat down. "Who knew? He's finally tying the knot." "Hooking up to the old ball and chain, is he?" Grey said. "Oh, you," I said, but I couldn't keep from smiling. "We get to help him move this weekend." "Ah," Grey said. "Yeah, Bianca and Rosa will *love* that." ~*~*~*~*~*~ Checking the mail the next day, I found a strange letter. No return address and my own address had been typed. Inside was a single sheet of paper. It contained an address, phone number, and was signed, "K." I gave the envelope a final tap and another piece of paper fell out. It was a printout of a picture--a picture of the young man I'd met at my father's funeral. Alexis had disappeared several months before, but "K" periodically sent me something--pictures or a flower. Hmm. There had just been a British mystery marathon on A&E the previous night, so I decided to give the number a try. I hummed to Annie Blue while the phone rang. 'Why did 'K' give me an address and picture, but no name?' I wondered. A male voice answered the phone. "Hello?" "Yes," I said. "To whom am I speaking?" "Who's calling?" "My name is Samantha Atwood." "What can I do for you, Miss Atwood?" "Well, who are you and why were you at my father's funeral?" Silence. "Sir?" "Sorry. Samantha, did you say? As in Mulder?" "Well, yeah, I suppose. But I've been wondering who you were, and a friend gave me your number." "Who?" "Oh, a friend. I just want to know if it's true that I have another brother." "Yeah, it's true." "Cool! What are you doing for Thanksgiving? It's my turn to host." "What? You still don't know my name!" "Nothing surprises me these days. And hey, I've always wanted a big family. So this Thanksgiving, it'd be me, Grey--that's my husband, Annie Blue--my daughter; hey, you're an uncle!, Mom and Dad Atwood, Bianca and Luke, Rosa, Fox, Dana, *my* mother...Eh I could fit you and anyone else in at the table." I heard the man sigh. "My name's Jeff. Jeff Spender. Maybe we should have coffee before planning out Thanksgiving?" "Cool." ~*~*~*~*~*~ "Sam, we're going to have people sitting on lawn chairs," Grey complained that night at dinner. "Please, Grey, you're happy to have an excuse to make a 25 pound turkey." He smiled. "Got me there. So, what's this new brother like?" "Well, he's quiet," I began, thinking back to my meeting with Jeff that same afternoon (a phone call, a lunch date the same day--as good as when I'd been at my dating prime.) "He's also in the FBI. His mother was sick a lot when he was growing up. He only met my...his...our father a year or two ago. He's younger than I." "Never would have pegged you for a middle child," Grey interrupted. I smiled. "He wants to meet his niece. He said he would like to have Thanksgiving with us, to be a family." ~*~*~*~*~*~ Thanksgiving 1999 Grey was almost right--we didn't resort to lawn chairs; we just made the meal Bring Your Own Chair. We had to use both of the table extenders and the 30 pound turkey (!) fed more people than we anticipated: Me, Grey, Annie Blue, Mom, Fox, Dana, Mom Atwood, Dad Atwood, Bianca and Luke, Rosa and her boyfriend Rohit, Mrs. Scully, Dana's brother Charlie and his wife, and Jeff Spender. We mainly talked Fox and Dana's wedding, to be held December fifteenth. Dana wanted it simple, but her mother wanted it lavish. Of course, time was running out for lavish. Mom was just pleased to have Fox getting married, although she wanted him to at least wear a yarmulke. I loved being surrounded by so many, no matter how crowded. I think Jeff even had a good time. The next morning, I was taking out the trash (Grey was drained from roasting the turkey) when I heard someone whisper my name. I pulled my sweater closer around me and went to see who was calling from behind the trash cans. It was Alexis. "What are you doing here?" I asked. "Trust me, you don't want to know. May I come in?" "Of course. What did you do for Thanksgiving, Alexis?" I asked as we went into the kitchen. "Oh, just stayed home," he said, getting mugs while I got the pot of coffee. "You should have come here! We had a houseful of people. Are you hungry?" "Oh, Sam, I don't want to impose..." "Puh-lease, Alexis. How about a turkey sandwich?" "Well, if you insist..." He was silent while I made the sandwich. "So," I said after I'd finished. "What have you been up to?" "You don't want to know." I leaned back in my chair. "Okay.Uh...My brother is getting married." Alexis looked up. "To Scully." It wasn't a question. "Ye-yes. I'm going to be one of Dana's bridesmaids." Alexis just nodded, chewing thoughtfully. "This is really good," he said. "I'll make you up a plate..." "Sam..." "It's no bother...It's good to see you again." Obviously, there was something Alexis wasn't telling me; I felt better having something to do. "Yeah," I said, beginning to babble,"We had a ton of people here...Grey made the turkey...Everyone brought a dish...These Glad containers sure are handy...Aah! I sound like a Midwestern housewife..." I set a paper bag full of food in front of Alexis, then leaned against the counter. "Where is Grey?" Alexis asked, finished with his sandwich. "Asleep. So is the baby." "Well, Sam, there is something I should tell you." I crouched down by his chair. He took my hands in his. "I've done some things...I feel bad because *you* would but other than that...doesn't bother my conscience at all." "What kinds of things?" I asked my friend, my friend of ten years. He shook his head. "Alexis..." "Just--bad, Sam. Illegal. I shouldn't even be here, but I had to see you one last time." "Last time?" "I'm leaving, Sam, leaving the country." "Alexis," I began, looking him in the eye. "My brother...he's told me some things...you killed his father...sold secrets and double-crossed countries..." I swallowed hard. "It's not true..." He didn't say anything, just stared right back at me. "Alexis--!" "Like I've said, I've done things...only remorse I feel is because you would feel it." I stared at him in disgust, pulling my hands from his. He stood up. "I just had to see you one last time." "Jesus, this is turning into the plot of a TV show!" I snapped. Alexis pulled me to him, kissed me in what one could only describe as a thorough and passionate manner, then strolled out of my kitchen. I stood still for a moment, shocked. Then I grabbed the bag from the table, opened the door, and threw it at him. I caught him on the left arm. He turned around. "Sam, I've protected you for ten years, reunited you to your family. I love you, Samantha." "I've better aim with a meat clever!" I shouted. Then I slammed the door shut. Grey walked into the kitchen, yawning. "Sam, what's going on?" "Nothing," I said, trying to sound firm and not cry. "Nothing." ~*~*~*~*~*~ Fall 1999 "Sam, you have a friend named Alex--Alexis Krycek, correct?" "That's right, Fox." "How long have you known him?" "Man, ten years or so. He's younger than I, but always acted like a big brother." "Sam, do you realize who he is?" "What?" "Sam, he had a hand in Scully's abduction, he murdered my father, probably murdered Melissa Scully, he's a junior member of the Conspiracy League." "Wha-what? No, not Alexis. He's my friend..." ~*~*~*~*~*~ December 15, 1999 Can't say I've been to many Catholic weddings. They are long. They involve music, and poems, and Latin. I would not advise wearing heels. But Dana looked radiant. She wore a simple white gown, off the shoulder. A sensible veil rested in curled hair. The train was short, but elaborately done up in lace. Fox looked handsome in his tux; I made him get a designer one. He wore a yarmulke, too; made Mom proud. Tara Scully was Dana's matron-of-honor. Another sister-in-law and I served as bridesmaids. Fox's friends Frohicke, Byers, and Langley served as Groomsmen. A couple of nieces and nephews served as flower girls and ring bearers. Dana's big brother Bill gave her away. There weren't many people in attendance, just a few relatives and a few friends. It was quiet and simple. ~*~*~*~*~*~ November 21, 1994 My wedding was large, only because of Grey's huge family. There were only a few people on my side of the church: Alexis, Kate, and a few friends. My father gave me away; Miri was my matron of honor. My dress was white, spaghetti straps, with blue flowers on it--light blue at the neck gradually turning to dark blue at the hem. The only flowers I had were carnations. ~*~*~*~*~*~ 12/15/99 Next thing I knew, we were throwing birdseed. Mrs. Scully was sobbing. Grey put his arm around me and kissed me. ** We spent Christmas with Fox and Dana. There was never a question as to whether she would keep her name; Fox just never referred to her as "Dana" and he couldn't very well call her "Mulder." Fox taught me about Hanukkah. Dana reminisced about childhood Christmases. I said I didn't want to depress anyone by telling of *my* childhood Christmases: waking up, going downstairs to discover not only lack of presents but lack of tree; I'd receive my presents a month later on my birthday. "What about you, Grey?" Dana asked. Grey shrugged. "We celebrated Winter Solstice. Lot of pine and holly in the house. Mom even had us pick our own god and goddess." Dana and Fox just sort of stared at Grey. "Well, the presents were just as good, plus I received them earlier, since the Solstice is the twenty-first." "What will Annie be taught?" Fox asked, watching Dana, who was holding the baby. I shrugged. "Materialism. Spoil her rotten--give her the her the life I always wanted." Dana smiled at the baby, but it was a sad smile. Just before Grey, the baby, and I left, Fox remembered that he had a final present for Dana. It was a puppy; a red fluffball of a Pomeranian. Dana cried. She named it Ourobouros. Fluffy for short. The End ** Scott: I didn't have to tell you any of this--I had you fooled. Don't I get any points for honesty? Betty: A few. Not many. Scott: Enough for a kiss good-bye? Betty: Not a chance. Scott: I understand...Well, so long... Betty [firmly]: Good-bye. Scott: Oh, what the hell. [He kisses her passionately] --"Who's Scott Sherwood?" "Remember WENN"" ** Heaven is a stranger place than the one I've left behind. --Sarah McLachlan, "Drawn to the Rhythm." ** Final notes: Well, I'll admit, our beloved Ratboy is a bit out of character. But it works for the story. Right?