Title: Possibilities

Author: Jennifer Sweeney

Date: 12-02-94

Summary: this story describes a possible future for Scully and Mulder, together.

Rate: R for language and sexual situations. If you don't like that, you've been warned.

Author notes: I have to mention Skip S. who thought up the most romantic proposal I'd heard in a long time. And Shelly, his wife, who told me about it and didn't mind it being inserted into a story. Hey Shelly, WOW!!! This weird or what?

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters created by Chris Carter, etc. No copyright infringement intended.

He ran down the sterile corridor grasping her hand tightly as he paced the stretcher. They came upon a set of double doors, then he ran into a wall. A solid wall of muscle belonging to a six foot four orderly. His hand lost hers. She reached back then was gone.

"Please sir, you'll have to wait here," a nurse ordered.

"I can't leave her... I have to..."

"Please, let us help her...Take a seat." The nurse disappeared through the doors.

The orderly watched as he sank onto the hard hospital bench, then satisfied that he would stay put at least temporarily, went back to his work.

It was then that FBI Special Agent Fox Mulder came the closest to falling apart.

He wiped a hand across his face and took a deep shuddering breath.

Mulder's head fell back against the wall. He started to think back.

Anything to keep his mind off of now.

When? In the beginning?

He had been impressed but more than that he'd liked her. He hadn't wanted to, after all she'd been sent to spy on 'Spooky' Mulder. To keep him reigned in. But he'd started to trust her, completely, doubtlessly.

She'd insinuated herself into his heart and mind like no one else had ever been able to. She'd kept him sane... Except for the moments that he pictured her dropping her robe in his hotel in Oregon.

A grin spread across his face as the scene flashed through his mind. It was one of the few times he could remember her that vulnerable. There was the time that her father had died, and the incident with Jack Willis. And the Arctic case. Behind every argument, he'd heard her fear. Before that time he'd rarely touched her. Only an occasional proprietary hand on her back or shoulder. He'd known she was small, but then he'd realized how delicate she really was. He'd gripped the back of her neck to check for the parasite, and the knowledge had hit him that he could snap that fragility with his bare hands.

Hands. His hands that had never seemed quite strong enough.

Hands that couldn't hold onto Samantha.

Hands that could pull Dana back from the brink.

He sat by her bedside all night. He held her hand between his.

Talked a bit. Mostly just willed her to open her eyes. To live.

"Fox", Margaret Scully whispered. "You need to go home. Take a shower and a rest."

He didn't want to but he did... He couldn't refuse her any more than he could her daughter. So he'd gone home. If home could be an empty apartment. An empty, trashed apartment.

He slid down the wall sobbing at the futility of it all. All of the time spent on the X-files hadn't brought Samantha back. All it had done was risk the lives of everyone that meant anything to him.

Dana.....He was going to lose Dana.

He sobbed harder staring at his hands. She was all he had left, and she was lying in a hospital bed dying and there was nothing he could do. His hands still weren't strong enough. His heart sank when the phone rang. He didn't want to answer it. Just to deny it for a few more seconds. But the words he heard sent his heart soaring.

He'd been embarrassed by his emotions. Especially in front of her mother and sister. But his heart was never quite the same, never quite entirely his. And she'd known.

They'd gone back to work, back on a case, and right back into danger. He'd tried to protect her. She'd shown that she could protect herself... mostly.

Fox actually let out a soft chuckle. They'd spent a month in quarantine.

Driving each other crazy. And getting closer.

4 a.m. He never made it past 4 am. He flopped back on the mattress with a groan, a groan that alerted the ever watching nurses. There was little to no privacy in this place. He got up and stretched then crossed the floor to stick his head in Scully's room. Honestly not sure if he wanted her to be awake or peacefully asleep.

She was asleep but not peacefully. Not even remotely. She was drenched in sweat and fighting the covers. Mulder took a step into the room as she jerked forward with a scream. A scream that made his blood freeze. A scream the likes of which he hadn't heard even within his own nightmares. He leapt to the bed and gathered her close. She shuddered, sobbing and clinging to him. Nurses charged in and suddenly there were a dozen hands pulling at them. Nurses all clad in protective "space" suits. Scully eyes told him that she wasn't fully awake and was terrified beyond belief. Mulder pulled her fully onto his lap and buried her face into his chest.

"STOP!!!!" he shouted at them.

"Let us have her Agent Mulder. Let her go." the head nurse ordered.

"No, no, no, she had a nightmare," he snarled. "Leave her." Another nurse slid onto the bed and caressed Dana's hair soothingly the slid her hand between them to examine her throat. "Pulse is high. So is temp. No sign of the spores." She smiled up at Mulder.

"She'll be OK.

Get her some water."

Scully pulled back from Mulder and he let her slide back onto the bed. She took some time to compose herself before she would meet his searching gaze. She sipped the water that was handed to her as the nurses filed out. "Try to go back to sleep," he whispered.

"Don't leave me.." she pleaded reaching toward him. Then she froze and dropped her hand and her eyes.

Mulder crossed the room to close the door. He came back to her bedside and sat down facing her. He smiled and cupped her chin. "I'm not going anywhere. Lay back."

"Why? So you can have your way with me?" she quipped.

He grinned and wiggled his eyebrows to make her laugh. "Oh yeah." She laid back and he stretched out his legs. After a few minutes they started talking.... about everything.... and nothing. Eventually her input became sporadic. Her sentences punctuated by yawns. Finally with a sigh she fell asleep, curled on her side, a hand resting on his leg. He'd sat there for the rest of the night watching her sleep. Listening to the even rhythm of her breathing.

Maybe that had been it. The beginning.

Mulder watched as the coffee poured into the paper cup. Coffee that he really didn't want.

Things had continued to develop.

She'd said quite simply that he was coming. She hadn't even asked, he realized. Just told him. 'Mulder you are coming home with me for Thanksgiving dinner. I'll be ready to go early. About seven.' End of discussion. So of course there he was seven a.m. on the dot, standing at her door then packing up his car for the drive to her mother's home. He'd met everyone then been sent to the den to watch TV with the guys.

And be pumped by her brothers. After a while, Dana wandered in. "Hey kiddo" Bill, Jr grinned. "Just been getting to know your ... partner."

"I bet," she retorted sinking onto the sofa between the two men.

"Mom kicked me out of the kitchen. Told me to come sit." she reported. Bill gathered her close and kissed her forehead. She tolerated it for a moment then pulled free. "Who's winning?" she focused on the game. After a time, she was asleep. Resting her head against Mulder's chest.

He shifted around to cradle her more comfortably and caught Bill's glare. 'Would I be like that?' he wondered to himself. 'Would I be this protective of Samantha? Ready to tear apart anyone who looked at her, much less touched her?' He missed the rest of the game between contemplating that thought, and the feel and scent of the woman in his arms.

So he'd really begun to see her as a woman as well as a colleague and friend.

Fox looked at the clock then his watch. Still distracting himself, his mind flashed to another time that he'd watched the time this anxiously.

8:50 a.m. He strode into the office whistling and carrying a box of doughnuts. It had become an obsession to tempt Scully with doughnuts in the morning. Her mother had clued him in to her favorites. So every morning for the past few weeks, he'd come in with a dozen, if only to make her smile and shake her head as if to say 'What am I going to do with you Mulder?' It was a major accomplishment to get her to eat two, so he'd begun to swim extra laps to compensate for the rest that he couldn't let go to waist... waste.

10:23 He was pacing the length of the phone cord. "Come on damnit answer the phone!!!!!" back to the desk, back out "SHIT!" he slammed down the phone and grabbed his coat to fly past the curious staff. He drove to Scully's in half his record time. All the while not admitting what was going through his mind. Using his key, he went through her door, gun ready. He couldn't breathe. Panic stricken at the idea that she wouldn't be there. That he'd lost her again.

He crossed to her bedroom and saw her. Sprawled across her bed. His breath returned in a fierce rush followed by anger... FURY! How could she do that to him???

"DAMN YOU" he snapped advancing on the bed.

"Mulder?" her voice was weak. She opened glazed eyes.

"Dana?" he stooped and touched her cheek. "God, you're burning up."

"I couldn't get to the phone," she smiled. "But I knew you'd come."

"You scared the living hell out of me."

"Sorry."

"S'OK,"

He stayed. He had never played nursemaid before but he muddled through. Her mother was visiting her sister and couldn't get a flight back so it was up to him. He ran up Scully's phone bill on the line to Mrs. Scully for reports and advice.

He fed her liquids and wrapped her in blankets.

He bathed her gently trying desperately to control his thoughts. Then he held her as her fever drove her into delirium. She talked to her mother and father, her sister and her brothers, to Jack...but mostly to him.

He vowed that he'd never tell her what all she'd confessed during that time.

At least not until they were old and gray.

Finally her fever broke. He bathed her again, so worried that she'd awaken. Then he tucked her in his arms, his lips resting on her hairline and fell asleep. To sleep a solid twelve hours. He awoke to a cool hand on his forehead that belonged to a smiling Mrs. Scully, who'd shushed him and tucked him back in next to her daughter.

Things were definitely different after that. Differences that scared him. So he'd gone out of his way to ignore them. He'd dated wildly... out of control... any woman, anywhere... Anything to separate that part of his life from Dana. One woman after another all the while the only one who could ever fill that void watched and waited, hurting but patient, anxious but supportive.

Then she'd started to date. Sporadically at first then one guy more regularly.

His heart had almost stopped.

"This is nuts." he growled at himself. He was sitting outside of her home watching, waiting. He'd paged her countless times but either she was out of range or she was ignoring him. He wasn't sure which he wanted to be true.

He flipped through the radio stations for the first one that came in clear.

"And now Vince Gill on Washington's Hottest Country Station." a soft ballad filled the car.

I stand here holding the biggest heartache in town, Whenever you come around."

Fox Mulder, a dedicated rock and roll fan, found himself absorbed in the soft country song. He stared at the radio glow. "That's it," he breathed. "Oh dear God, my life is a country song!"

"That was "Whenever you come around" by Vince Gill, going out tonight to Jesse, all my love Michelle, to Robin, my heart from Mitch, and to Dana, love Brad, who says 'tonight's the night'. Have a good time, Dana." Mulder's heart locked in place just as a car pulled up. A man got out and went around to help Dana.

Without thinking, Mulder slammed out of the car and strode across to her door.

"I had a good time," she was saying. "All things considered."

"So did I Dana," he replied moving closer.

"DANA!" Fox burst on them.

"Hey!", the guy moved between Dana and this madman, protectively.

"It's OK," Dana said. "I'll call you."

"Are you sure?"

"She's sure," Mulder answered.

"I'm sure," she nodded.

He turned and gave her a chaste kiss then walked passed, slamming shoulders with Mulder in a show of male dominance. "Go home, Mulder," Dana snapped softly, unlocking her door.

"I've been paging you all damn night!"

"I am very well aware of that," she scowled. "Thank you so much for ruining my entire evening." She flung the door closed. He blocked it and stepped in closing it behind him. She whirled and shoved him. "I don't know what the hell this is all about but it has to stop! I can't...." her voice cracked and she turned away. "I can't go on like this anymore Fox. I just can't."

"Neither can I," he replied. He stepped to her and laid his hands on her shoulders. He massaged gently then moved closer. He twined his fingers in her hair, pushing it aside to access her neck. He nuzzled her with his nose and lips.

She moaned low "Oh Mulder."

He turned her to face him. She let her head fall back. He kissed then sucked her throat. She opened her eyes, her pupils dilating. She reached up to cup his face. "Oh Fox."

His name on her lips sent him over the edge. Their first kiss was hesitant but the quickly grew in intensity. The were both panting and gasping, tearing at each other.

"Fox, Please!" Dana begged.

He didn't know for what but he was beyond caring. Fox scooped her up and sat her on the back of the sofa. He quickly stripped off her hose and underwear, opening her blouse to rip free her bra. She fumbled with his pants.

There was no more foreplay. He entered her hard and fast, pressing her against the sofa. It was over before it started. He let his head fall to her shoulder gasping for air.

Dana's eyes opened full of anguish. She pushed at him. "Move." He stepped aside and let her slide to her feet. She went passed him and shut herself in the bathroom.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid." he swore at himself. He turned as the sound of running water began.

He opened the bathroom door. Dana sat on the edge of the tub hugging herself, tears streaming down her face.

"I'm sorry, Dana," he whispered.

"Oh God," she cried, turning away.

"No! NO!! Dana that's not..." he sighed and fell to his knees. "That's not it. I'm not sorry that we did... what we did. But Damn Dana, I've dreamed about this for years. And this was so brutal. I hurt you Dana. I hurt you."

"Fox," she shook her head. Then her eyes narrowed over her smile. "Years, Mulder?"

He pulled her close. "Oh yeah. Since you walked into my office."

"MULDER!" she laughed.

"What can I say? You are beautiful." he kissed her gently. She pushed closer, not wanting to separate at all. He leaned around and shut off the water, then tested it. Then he managed to strip them both letting little space come between them. He scooped her up and deposited her into the warm water. She moaned into his mouth as the warm bath covered her. "Join me." she said, a sparkle in her eyes.

It didn't take a second invitation. He climbed in behind her and cuddled her back against him. She snuggled in with contented purrrr. He chortled. She turned then climbed around to straddle him. She took a washcloth and began to wash his chest. He grinned cockily. "I love having you at my mercy."

"Oh really?" she nodded then lowered her hand. He gasped, his head fell back and his face went tight. With a deep animalistic growl, he grabbed her hips."A little slower this time Fox," she requested.

Later, much later, they lay on her bed. He rested on top of her, his weight supported partially by his arms. Covering her, filling her. "I'm not ready to move," he admitted.

"I'm not ready for you to move," she replied. "This is fine."

They lay together, nose to nose, gazing into each others' eyes. "OH", he pushed up. "What was that guy's name?"

"What guy?" she looked at him, confused.

"The geek you were out with."

"David Monroe. Why?"

"I'll tell you... someday."

More time passed. They lay spooned together.

"So now what do we do?" she asked. She was tracing his hands.

"We'll think of something Dana, we always do."

They'd kept their relationship as quiet as possible. Balancing sex and work wasn't easy but they'd done it. Working hard at not letting their personal life interfere with their job. Even Skinner admitted that they were one of the best teams in the Bureau. 'Even considering Mulder's protectiveness and the fact that the Bureau paid for two motel rooms when only one was ever used' he'd said aside to Mulder. Fox had just grinned. But Margaret started dropping hints.

So he planned the perfect romantic evening. Dinner then a musical. "The Phantom of the Opera". He'd asked during intermission. So nervous that he'd dropped the ring. She'd laughed then cried. And she'd said yes. They'd argued about the wedding. Dana wanted something small. Fox sided with Margaret for the wedding they both claimed every girl dreamed of. They compromised.

Fox stared at the engraved band on his finger. They ended most arguments with a compromise... or a compromising position. Which had led them here. But they lived by the saying that had been engraved on a plaque, given as a housewarming present by Skinner, of all people..."Best friends make the best marriages."

One major disagreement, that Fox had to admit that he had lost was that she work these last few months. He'd wanted her home wrapped in cotton... After all it was his fault she was in this condition....

One more mess he'd gotten her in to.

But things had been going so well. Six weeks....Just six weeks more.... But then the pain had started. She'd been so tough at first, but when the doctor said to bring her in NOW she'd become so scared. He'd never seen her that upset... ever.....

And now. Now his light.... His anchor.... His soul..... *His Dana* was in the hands of strangers. Strangers that were trying to stop their baby from coming too early.

"Mr Mulder," a voice called.

"Yes!" he burst up. "How is she? How's my Dana?" "We can't stop it. Her water's broken. The baby is coming." The doctor took his arm, "Are you up for this? She is asking for you, and she's determined to do this naturally all the way."

"That's my Dana," Fox smiled. "I have her bag in the car, tell her I'll be right there."

Dana panted through a contraction as Fox entered. He moved right in, pushing a nurse out of his way.

"Hi Momma," he greeted when she could respond.

"Hi Daddy," she smiled. "Think you can do this?"

"Sure, breathe, push, piece of pie."

"Cake."

"What?"

"It's 'piece of cake', Mulder."

He laughed, "Pick, pick, pick." He hefted the"baby bag"."Want to change?"

"Please." she nodded tugging at the shapeless, backless hospital issue. Fox helped her strip it off and slide into a soft, cotton nightgown and one of his old flannel shirts. She was determined to be as comfortable as possible.

Hours passed. Fox helped her walk the corridor, coached her breathing, rubbed her back, demanded that she focus, and mostly kept her laughing. When it was finally time they were both covered in sweat...and exhausted. Fox climbed into the bed behind her to support her. "I love you. I am so proud of you," he murmured into her ear. "You are so beautiful."

"You need your glasses Fox!" she laughed, over the pain.

"OK Mom, Push!" the doctor ordered.

Fox urged her on, "Push, Come on, push. Pushpushpush."

"I am pushing," she retorted.

"One more!"

"OK here we go. It's a boy!" the doctor chortled like he had a part of it. "Dana look at him." Tears streamed down his face, as Fox gazed down at the small scrap of humanity that was his son.

Fox sat in the swing. He didn't look up as footsteps came out onto the porch. "Is she still asleep, Mom?" he asked assuming that it was Margaret. "No," Dana replied.

Fox burst to his feet, "You are supposed to be resting!"

"I am fine," she replied pushing back down. "But you aren't."

He sighed and pulled her to sit on his lap. "I was so scared, Dana."

"I know Fox, but it's fine. I'm fine, Sam's fine."

"I don't ever want to have to go through that again," he sniffed.

Dana shrugged, "OK next time, I'll call you when it's over."

"Dana, I am serious."

"Fox, so am I. We discussed this. You knew that this wouldn't be easy. And you know that I want more children." She gazed deep into his eyes.

He took a deep breath. "OK, I'll cancel the vasectomy... for now." She gave him the familiar look then laughed. "Oh Fox whatever am I supposed to do with you?"

"Love me," he replied with painful sincerity. "And never leave me."

She smiled. The smile that was his alone. "You are stuck with me Fox Mulder. Always and forever."

"I guess I can live with that."

Margaret stepped out just then, trying unsuccessfully to hide the tears in her eyes. She carried Samuel Fox, who sucked at his fist. "He's hungry." Dana took him and opened her blouse. Fox laid a blanket to cover them as Sam latched on greedily. Then, Fox reached up and took Margaret's hand, love reflecting up to her.

She smiled then stepped back to watch the family. She knew her daughter.

She knew that she'd be watching that family grow.

"I love you."

"And I love you."

There are always possibilities.

And hope.

The End