Taking Chances Series- Part 1 Horizons by Mulderslady DISCLAIMER: They don't belong to me, wish they did. Only Jade Fox, Nick, Kalen Joseph and the 78th precinct belong to me RATING: P.G.-13, mild R CLASSIFICATION: S, Alternative Universe, A KEYWORDS: MSR, Mulder and Scully angst SPOILERS: None URL: http:/ /www.geocities.com/Area51/Capsule/5160/horizon.txt FEEDBACK: Please!!! at damaciaj@home.com ARCHIVE: Oh yeah, anywhere!! SUMMARY: Veteran Firefighter Fox Mulder saves Dr. Scully from an apartment fire, romance ensues only to be complicated by someone from Mulder's past. First story in the Taking Chances Series, a series of three stories in which the normally stoic Scully takes a chance on love with Mulder, who in my twisted universe is not his usual FBI self. "Mulder come on, there's a propane tank in there, its going to blow." " I hear something, a dog or something, Mike. I'm going in, I'll be right out." " I don't hear anything. Come on Spooky!" " Go on, I'll be right out." Mulder bust down the door to find a frantic soot covered Pomeranian flitting around something on the floor. " Poor baby, where's your mommy?" Mulder said as he picked up the dog and moved through the smoke filled apartment. He tripped over something soft as she headed to the bedroom. He looked down to see a petite red head laying at his feet. He picked her up quickly and ran out of the apartment as he heard the first rattlings of an explosion occur below them. He made it down the stairs and outside just as the propane tank burst into a fireball, blowing the whole first floor out. " Told you I'd be right out and I have gifts too. One with smoke inhalation and the other just hyper. I'll ride with her, some one has to watch her baby." " Man that guy is too Spooky." Mike said as they started to put out the fire. " Name what's her name?" one of the paramedics asked. Mulder reached around her checking her pockets for some form of ID. Ah tomboy, wallet in back pocket, hmm Dana Scully MD. " Dr. Scully your going to Georgetown Medical Center. You were in an apartment fire, and are suffering from smoke inhalation . Your dog is fine. My name is Mulder, I pulled you out of there. I'm coming with you till we can contact some one." Scully opened her eyes slowly and regarded this 'Mulder' slightly. Dirty, with dark brown hair, and amazing hazel eyes. Definitely handsome. Her eyes drifted to her dog, who was contentedly sitting in his arms. Hmm maybe when I feel better I can look this guy up, any one Queequeg settles down for has to be something. 3 days later Her mother sat by her bed trying to convince Scully to stay with her. " I'm not moving back home mom. I can take care of myself." " No, I just want you to stay for a while till you can secure another apartment or something." Scully nodded then smiled past her. " Hey, am I interrupting?" Mrs. Scully turned when she heard the deep male voice to see it belonged to a rather handsome man in a firefighters uniform. She smiled back at Scully who only had eyes for this Fox Mulder, as his name read on his shirt. " No not at all Mulder. I was just discussing where I'll be staying when I get out of here." " My place is always available." Mrs. Scully's eyes widened at that. " Well if she gets on my nerves I' ll let you know. Mulder this is my mother. Mom this is Mulder he's the guy who pulled me out of my apartment in the nick of time." Mulder blushed and softly said hello, only to be pulled into a crushing embrace followed by a thank you. " Your welcome, it's my job." then turning to Scully " Oh I almost forgot, I smuggled something in for you, hope you like it" Mulder pulled her dog out of his jacket pocket " Queequeg!! Oh mama's missed her big boy!" " Queequeg?" " From my favorite book Moby Dick." Mulder nodded " I preferred 1984, Orwell was the best. Oh before I forget, here." Mulder said handing her two red roses. " Thank you that's very thoughtful." " Uh when you get to your moms maybe I could give you a ca . . ." " Mulder come in. Hey Spookster! Have a fire off Melvin. Get your tail in gear, so we can get there before the 18th. Hey bring Quee too."Mulder's walkie talkie blared " 10-4 on my way." Scully smiled and handed Queequeg back. " See you later Dana, nice meeting you Mrs. Scully." " Where were you man? Hey Quee." " Queequeg" Mulder corrected " Who?" " His name is Queequeg." " Oh so that's where you were. Hey guys, Spooky went to see his lady." Mike shouted, the other guys oohed and catcalled. Mulder blushed slightly as he grabbed his gear and boarded the fire engine. Mike placed Queequeg in the back with the rest of the guys and asked Mulder " So when you giving the little guy back?" " When she gets out of the hospital." " When you getting her phone number?" " I would have had it if you guys hadn't interrupted" The guys laughed as they pulled away. Later that night " Phoebe its going to blow." " I hear something, like a dog or something." " Your going to get killed for a dog." " Well yeah." She reached for the door the tell tale signs of a back draft waiting behind the door. The smoke coming from under the door vanished and a whooshing sound came. Phoebe turned the knob " Phoebe NO!" Mulder ran to her as she opened the door. She was immediately engulfed in flames, Mulder covered his face as the blast hit him, knocking him to the ground " Phoebe! Phoebe!" Mulder sat up with a start, Queequeg looked at him questioningly. Mulder petted the little dog and sighed, I did the same thing with you, didn't I? I was alright. Phoebe struggled and writhed, dying in pain 10 days later. Mulder looked at his long sleeve shirt that hid his own burns. His chest, back and arms were nothing but scar tissue, the main reason he wore long sleeves year round. Mulder got up and found a phone book. Scully, Scully, Margaret Scully got it, he thought as he dialed the number. It picked up on the second ring "Hello, Scully's" " Hi, may I speak with Dana." "This is she." "Hey this is Mulder." "Mulder? Do you know what time it is?" He looked at his clock, 3:00 a.m. "Oh I guess it is kinda late to be calling" " Is something wrong? Is Queequeg alright?" "Yeah I just, I just needed to talk to someone." " And you called me?" " Yeah sorry I woke you, I'll call you in the morn . . ." " No let's talk. So Mulder do you have a first name?" "Yeah but I don't like it." " What is it?" "Fox" " Oh"there was a long pause "well ok see your point. I guess you mom just knew you were going to be handsome." Mulder chuckled slightly " Yeah but most of the guys call me Spooky." " Why?" "Cause I know things that haven't happened yet. I can tell when someone is still in a burning building, find there exact location in the blackest of smoke." " Wow that is spooky. Were are you from, you have an accent." "I was born and raised on Martha's Vineyard and went to college at Oxford." " Oxford? For what fire science?" " No psychology." " Ok, won't ask." "Well I was going to practice, but I really didn't think I was helping people by taking their money and hooking them on Prozac." Scully giggled "So I became a firefighter and I love it." " Are you involved with anyone Mulder?" " Are you asking?" " Guess not" " What do you mean by that?" " Well if you were, you would have called him or her instead of me." " Him?" "Hey I'm open minded." Mulder laughed " Ok enough about Mulder, what about you Dr. Scully? What's your life story?" " If you come by tomorrow and bring my dog back to me, maybe I'll tell you. Bye Mulder" ********************************************************* ********************* Scully watched out the window, waiting for Mulder, rationalizing that she wasn't. I hardly know this guy, what am I doing waiting in anticipation for him? She smiled to herself, it had been awhile since she was this taken with someone. A nicely equipped Black Toyota 4runner pulled up in front of the house and out he came. Neatly pressed grey pants, crisp light blue shirt, a reddish tie, Queequeg under his left arm and a bouquet of roses under this right. Your smitten because he is, it's flattering. Scully had never met anyone this forward in there affection for her. Mulder knocked softly and Scully opened the door. " Hey you look good." That was an understatement, she looked breathtakingly gorgeous in a sleeveless soft tan dress. " Thanks, so do you." then turning her attention to her dog " Aw come to Mama baby." The little dog leaped into her arms. Lucky bastard, Mulder thought as Scully showered the dog with kisses and hugs. " Mulder come on in sit down, you want a drink or something?" " Actually I kinda thought we could go out and talk." Scully looked at him quizzically. " Oh here, I almost forgot." He said handing her the bouquet of roses then clarifying his earlier statement " You know walk, maybe get some dinner. I'd . . . I 'd really like to get to know you better Dana." Scully smiled and nodded then went to put the flowers in water. " Mom! I'm going out for a while, I'll be back later. Queequeg's back." " Ok honey, say hi to Mulder for me." Outside " There's a nice park down here and a great Italian restaurant around the cor . . . but I guess you probably knew that." " Yeah, but thanks for pointing it out." " So you promised to tell me about you Dr. Scully." " Well nothing much to tell, pretty normal childhood. Navy brat, 2 brothers and a sister. Went to med school at John Hopkins, and now I'm a dermatologist and plastic surgeon." " Plastic surgeon?" " Well yeah. I don't do boob jobs or stuff like that. I do skin grafts, facial deformities, burns and scars." " Burns?" " Yeah, I redid this woman who was caught in an apartment fire like mine. 75 % of her body was burned, now she's a stunt double on Baywatch." " Wow! Your good then?" " My colleagues consider me the best. I just like what I do." " So you find a place to stay yet?" " Yeah some new brick one story townhouses in Arlington." "Arlington? Hey are those the ones off Whitaker?" " Yeah?" " Wow those are right down the street from me. I did a fire inspection for them. Really nice and really safe." " You live over there? Which development?" " Sweetbriar." " Um those are nice houses. Do you get to spend a lot of time at home?" "Yeah kinda. I work 4 days straight, off for 5, nice once you get used to it." Scully nodded then noticed for the first time he was wearing long sleeves. " Aren't you hot?" " Huh?" "Your wearing long sleeves on one of the hottest days of the year, you must be hot." " No not really." " You look flushed, here why don't you roll up the sleeves." she said unbuttoning his sleeve and starting to roll it up. " No Dana no, that's okay. Lets go sit over there." Scully caught a glimpse of scar tissue and backed away from the subject. They sat on the shady bench watching the people go by when Mulder asked "So when do you move in?" "Next week." " Good, let me know and me and some of the guys at the station can help you move in. Did you have to go and buy all new furniture?" "Some. I had some in storage, I was planning on moving anyway the fire just sped up my plans." Mulder smiled and looked way a second. He wanted to say a million things to her, but all he could think to do at the moment was kiss her. He turned back and smiled at her again then went with his instincts and moved in for a kiss. His lips were soft especially his bottom one, which Scully took into her mouth and tasted. They pulled away simultaneously. " Sorry, I didn't mean to . . ." Mulder started " It's okay, I liked it." " Yeah I could tell." Scully laughed and a lock of her red hair fell in her face. Mulder brushed it away, tucking it gently behind her ear. They talked till 6, then they walked to Strazillos, the Italian restaurant for dinner. "Thanks for coming by Mulder." "It was my pleasure. I'll call you tomorrow okay, maybe we could go out some where." Scully nodded "I'd like that." she said as she kissed him softly on his lips and went into her house. Next week 10 am "So your girlfriends moving down the block from you. Convenient Spooks, real convenient." Mulder smiled at him and continued to pile stuff up in the Ryder truck Scully had rented. Scully and Queequeg were waiting outside " Hey guys, Mulder." Mulder kissed her softly on the lips as the guys clamored around Queequeg. " Hey man we miss you little guy. Say Dana when are you letting him come back out with us?" " I'll think about it. Come on, hope you guys brought your swimsuits cause afterwards I've rented the pool and clubhouse just for you guys to say thanks." " Alright come on guys lets go." By 1 p.m. they had her moved in and set up, and they changed for the pool. Mulder threw on a long sleeved shirt over his knee length trunks. The guys knew and didn't mind his scars, but Dana . . . it was different. She's probably seen worse, but he didn't want her to pity him. As he came out of the clubhouse, he was greeted by a bikini clad Scully. Well, bikini top sarong bottom but enough to have the other guys looking appreciatively. " Hey had mom make your favorite Velveeta dip." Mulder smiled and snuck a kiss before rushing over to where the food was. Later after lunch They were in the pool playing volleyball when they noticed Mulder on the sidelines with Scully. Mike came up behind him and whispered " I know your busy romancing and all, but we really need your killer spike on our side." Mulder glanced nervously at Scully and was about to refuse when Mike stripped off his shirt and pushed him in the pool saying " Aw come on its nothing we haven't seen before." Mulder bobbed up and shook the water out of his eyes. Well no where to hid now, he thought as he swam over to the losing side of the game. Scully watched him play, getting a good look at his scars. Wow, his chest, back and arms are nothing but scar tissue. Parts of his neck and probably his legs too. I'd need to examine him closer, but he'd need intensive and multiple surgeries to fix that. Wonder how it happened? 7 p.m. After Scully had cleaned up and the guys had left, Mulder walked her home. " I guess I'll be going I have to . . ." Mulder was interrupted by Scully's lips ensnaring his " do some stuff around the house tomorrow." Mulder finished when she released him. " Stay please." Mulder looked into her pools of blue and was lost. He wanted her like no one else at that moment and he captured her mouth with his as they stumbled into her bedroom. Mulder chuckled at their uncoordinated steps as they fell on the bed. They parted for a few seconds to shed their pants, and shoes. Scully shed her shirt and Mulder his only to reveal yet another one. Scully giggled a little and kissed him softly on his neck. Mulder lavished attention on her beautiful swanlike neck, her skin was like porcelain and silk, so soft. He let his fingers slide over he body lightly learning every feature and he kissed her gently on her stomach while he reached around her to unfasten her bra. He gazed at her "so beautiful" he whispered as he lavished her breasts with kisses, licks and nips. Scully was almost delirious with pleasure, she ran her fingers through his silky hair and pulled him up to her lips. His fingers toyed with her underwear as her hands traced his arms, firm butt and thighs, stealthily slipping off his boxers in the process. Now for that pesky T-shirt she thought as she slipped her hands under it. Mulder froze and grabbed her hands quickly, placing them around her neck. He pulled down her underwear and she kicked them away. She slapped a condom on his chest tenderly then kissed his neck as he unwrapped it and put it on. She tired to put her hands under his shirt again but he diverted them to his shoulders as he propped himself up and captured her mouth again. She wrapped her legs around his waist as he carefully entered her. He continued slowly till he was completely sheathed in her, then started to gently thrust into her. She sighed and moaned softly, it felt so good, she thought. She wished they were skin to skin, but even now he batted her hands from uncovering his shirted torso. She ran her hands up his chest and ran her fingers lightly up and down his sides, feeling the slight indentions of his ribs. He increased his rhythm, driving into her harder as his excitement grew till she moaned loudly signaling her approaching release. Mulder collapsed on top of her spent, then rolled to her side. "Sorry I crushed you there." Scully kissed him hard and snuggled into his sweat soaked shirt. " Mulder you don't have to hide them from me. I saw them at the pool." Mulder eyed her lazily. " I just don't want you to pity me. I'm just not comfortable with . . ." " I understand, it's just I don't like to make love to you with something between us." She ran her fingers through his hair and traced his jaw-line with the tips. " Just for a little while, till I'm comfortable. Ever since the accident I've never made love to anyone without wearing something to cover them. I'm sorry if it hurts you." Scully kissed him tenderly on the lips and snuggled back into his chest. Mulder sighed contented and slightly guilty. He had lied to her, there was one person he'd had a relationship with that he had allowed to remove it. It was her reaction that made him wear the shirt. The look of disgust and loathing, sadness and pity. He could tell she hated to touch him. He drove the bad memories from his mind and thought of the new ones he was replacing them with. His hands on her skin, the way she looked, felt, tasted. He could never get enough of Dana Scully. 3 months later 2:30 am Scully felt something warm along her back and she turned to see Mulder looking back at her. " Mulder! Geez, you scared me to death." " Sorry, I couldn't sleep so I came over." Scully smiled and nuzzled him slightly. Then she felt his lips on her neck. Oh that's why you couldn't sleep, she thought as she looked up at him his eyes dark with desire. Mulder thrust into her at a ravenous pace, driving Scully further into ecstasy. She grabbed his shirt, he pushed her hands away. She slide her hands under his shirt, her cool hands caressing the battered skin there. He watched her, gauging her reaction to him. She looked him in his eyes and kissed him hard, moving her hands and arms under the shirt, lightly massaging the taunt muscles she found there. As they calmed down and parted, Mulder laid on his side petting her copper locks " Dana I . . .I love you Dana." She smiled and looked away from his intense eyes. Her heart almost pounding out of her chest. Do I love him? Is this true love or just an infatuation? If he loves me, why doesn't he trust me enough to let me see his scars? " Mulder I . . ." " You don't have to say it, I just wanted. I needed to let you know. What are you doing tomorrow?" " I have to work till noon, then I got a 3 day weekend. You?" " I don't have to work till next Friday." " Well Ok." Scully said trying to see where this conversation was heading " Dana, marry me." Scully laughed " Funny Mulder, real funny." "I'm serious." Scully turned to him amused until she saw the determination in her eyes. " Oh my god, your serious!" " Dead serious. Why else do you think I couldn't sleep" Scully thought for a second, " Besides what we just finished." Mulder added, Scully shrugged. " Where's my ring?" that should bring him back to reality. Great sex aside I hardly know . . . him, she thought as Mulder reached into his disgarded pants pocket and produced a velvet box. Scully blinked then she closed her eyes tight and opened them again. This is not real, this is dream. Oh my god it is real, she thought when she saw him still there with the box in hand. " Mulder I . . .I hardly know . . .We've only been seeing each other for 3 months!" " We could learn each other together." " Mulder I don't . . " " Think about it. Here, I'll leave it right here." He said placing the ring box on the night stand and turning back to Scully " Tell me tomorrow ok, then whatever you decide, I'd still like to go away for the weekend with you." Scully smiled and nodded. Mulder kissed her gingerly on the forehead and gathered her to his chest. Next day 10 am Scully sat at her desk and looked at the picture of Mulder that he gave her when they first started dating. Married to Mulder? Not a bad thing. So soon? Suspicious. Not that I doubt he loves me, but why does he want to get married so soon. Why not get engaged and then married next year? " Hey Dana!! What are you thinking about? I've been calling you for 2 minutes straight." " Nick hey, come here a sec." " What?" then looking at what Scully was looking at, " No wonder you can't hear anything. What's the cutie done this time, flood your house with roses and I love you cards again?" " No, he asked me to marry him last night?" " What?" " At 3 in the morning." " How romantic, how weird." " Tell me about it. What should I do?" " Say yes why not? Its not like your getting married right away." "Well actually, we would be this weekend." " This weekend what?" " Getting married this weekend." Nicks mouth dropped open. " He's crazy." " Well that's what I thought, but this morning, I looked at the ring. Nick look at this thing, its like he's reading my mind." She opened the velvet box to display the braided platinum emerald and diamond engagement ring. " He even had it engraved 'To my Dana'. This must have cost a fortune." "Wow! He's . . .um he's serious. What are you going to do? I mean it's sudden. It's suspicious." " I know." " So? What are you going to tell him?" " Yes" 1 p.m. Mulder paced Scully's living room. Where is she? She should be here by now. He stopped when she pulled up in her driveway. She calmly put the top up on her Red BMW Z3 and grabbed some bags from her trunk. Mulder fidgeted, come on come on he thought as she finally made it to the door. Mulder opened it quickly for her. A little dazed at first, she smiled and said. " Hey Hon, what's up? You look a little pale." Mulder snorted, a little? "Well have you thought about it?" " Yes I have. I had a feeling you'd be here so I got some KFC on the way in. Buffalo crispy strips and a large order of wedges, then I went by Blockbuster." " Dana!" " What? I'll tell you in a minute sweetpea. Now get some paper towels or something so I can put this on the living room table." Mulder went a got some placemats and came back waiting patiently. As she set everything up, his patience wore thin. He bounced his leg and ran his fingers repeatedly through his hair. Once she was finished, she turned and smiled at him, then handed him the box. He went pale, she's saying no? " I want you to ask me properly." " Huh?" " On your knees." Mulder smiled and got on one knee and said " Dana Scully, will you marry me?" " Yes I will Mulder." Mulder let out the breath he wasn't aware he'd been holding and smiled as he put the ring on her finger. " So, where are we going from here?" " Well after lunch we'll go get the marriage license and all the blood tests and stuff then tomorrow were off to the justice of the Peace. Then to the Poconos for the weekend, unless you had something else in mind?" Scully nodded no and grabbed a strip chewing happily. Next day 10:30 am Mulder clad in a dark suit and tie reached for Scully's hand as he stepped outside the Justice of the Peace's office a married man. Her simple white dress and sandals looked absolutely stunning. Mulder couldn't believe all her family came up on such short notice. Even her brother Bill who was at sea was there. Scully said that she could tell Bill liked him which was good cause he never liked any of her boyfriends. As they stepped outside together, the guys from the station showered them with rice and ribbons and had decorated Mulder's 4runner with the traditional wedding attire. " Hey Mulder! Give us a good kiss for the bulletin board!" Mulder smiled and kissed Scully gently slipping his tongue in her mouth briefly then releasing her. They climbed in to his car and sped off to the airport. Poconos 1 p.m. " Reservations for Mr and Mrs. Mulder." Mulder said smiling proudly. He liked the sound of it Dana Katherine Scully-Mulder, the Mulder's. The clerk handed them the key and they were led to their room. Scully marveled at the surroundings, gorgeous. She wished they were staying here for more than just a weekend. She sat on the end of the bed and looked at her diamond eternity band wedding ring. This is the wildest, craziest thing you have ever done, Dana Scully oops Scully-Mulder. Mulder smiled at her and sat next to her, kissing her softly on the neck. "Something wrong?" Scully shook her head no and kissed him lightly on the lips "Nothing at all Mulder." "You can call me Fox if you want." "What if I call you Will or William instead. Fox William Mulder, I guess if you say it like that it sounds pretty good." " I've never gone by my middle name, sounds nice. So what do you want to do Mrs. Mulder?" Mulder said with a leer and a nuzzle. "There's a nice trail nearby, I kinda wanted to hike it." Scully said rising and heading for her suitcase. 2 weeks later-- The Mulder's house--Sweet briar Scully came in from work and checked the answering machine. 3 new messages hmm Mom and Mulder " Hey Hon it's mom just checking on you." Erase "Hey baby just checking on you . . ." then a whispered " I miss you. I love you." Erase "Fox? Hi this is Diana. I thought maybe we could hook up sometime its been awhile you know my number." Not anymore Scully thought. ERASE. Then she wrote down the name Diana, she didn't like her already, and Mulder had some things to explain when he got home. 2 days later Scully came in the house and was confronted with a kitchen full of roses and a candlelight dinner, and a comfortably dressed Mulder " Hey Baby." He said raising and hugging her tightly placing a kiss on her neck." How was work?" " Good. Nice, did you make this?" She said as she smelled the heavenly smells of lemon-peppered chicken. " Yep hope you like it, took forever, but it smells good. Did you like your flowers?" " Yes Sweetie there great. Um Mulder . . ." "I thought we agreed on Will. Here I got you something else." He put a long rectangular box on the table and slid it to her. She opened it to reveal an emerald and diamond tennis bracelet. " Mulder! Oh this is gorgeous." " Like it?" "I love it! Put it on for me." He clasped it around her wrist as she beamed with excitement. 9 p.m. Scully sat in her silk pajamas watching Dateline when Mulder came up behind her. She smelled him before she saw him, Coast did wonders with that man. He sat next to her and looked at the story, Con artists boring he thought as he placed his hand on her thigh and lightly ran his fingertips in little circles up and down her leg. Scully brushed his hand away. " There's a story coming on about that plane crash I wanted to see." Mulder sighed unconsciously emitting a low growl with it. " Stop growling, it's coming up next. 15 minutes, I'll meet you upstairs." " I don't want to do it upstairs." Scully's eyes opened wide and she turned to look at him. Dead serious. " Mulder! "Will" he corrected and kissed her collarbone just as her story came on. She pushed him away and he stopped momentarily then attached himself to her neck again. " GOD Mulder, your worse than a remora!" "Will" Mulder corrected, his fingers lightly grazing her stomach and sneaking under her nightshirt to caress the smooth skin beneath. Scully tried to concentrate but, Mulder's seduction was too convincing and she succumbed. Scully cuddled against him, the moon light illuminating them. " Mulder, who's Diana?" " Who?" " Diana. She called here looking for you a couple of days ago. Sounded like she knew you well." She felt Mulder tense and release her. He put his shorts back on and got up. Confused, Scully dressed quickly and followed him upstairs. "What's wrong hon? Who is she?" "I don't want to talk about it." " If you don't tell me, the next time she calls, I'll ask her. Now, who is she?" Scully said raising her voice slightly " An ex-girlfriend, well ex-fiancee." "So why is she calling here?" "Well most likely she doesn't know I'm married now." Scully eyed him suspiciously, he's not telling me something "What aren't you telling me?" " Nothing honest Dana" " Is she the reason that we got married so quickly? Don't lie to me Mulder" " I'm not" his eyes pleading and teary. He hated when she yelled at him, it's only happened once before thankfully. Scully softened and kissed him tenderly, brushing some tears that escaped his eyes. " I'm sorry Mulder. I'm still learning you. I guess I'm a little jealous. You're my man and I'm a possessive wife." Mulder smiled at her and gathered her to him as he fell asleep. Next afternoon 3 p.m. Mulder pulled out the lawnmower and started it up when he saw her. Age had caught up with her, but she still had that pretty silken brown mane. Mulder looked down and started pushing the mower. She walked up to him and smiled. Still the same old Mulder, a little braver though, tank top to cut the grass instead of that old Knicks sweatshirt. Same fine golden hue, spiky chestnut hair and amazing eyes. Same grotesque burns. God he needs to do something about those things. She waved at him and he stopped, turning off the mower. " Diana? Hey long time no see." He said hugging her lightly " How you been?" He asked pulling way and stepping back from her, putting a slight but noticeable distant between them. " Nothing much." " Still a photographer for Time?" " Yep just got back from Germany." "That's nice." There was a long pause " Did you get my message Fox? How are you? Doing well?" " Yeah I got your message. I'm doing great." " Why didn't you call me?" " Well I . ." "I think we could start over." " I don't think so. I . .I 've moved on." " Oh really?" "Yes, that's the major reason I didn't call you." Diana gave him a sardonic look, he continued " I'm not available anymore." " Oh really? New girlfriend?" " Well kinda." " What's a kinda girlfriend, one of your blow up dolls?" Mulder smirked at her then said while pointing to his wedding ring " No my wife." Diana was momentarily robbed of speech, she soon recovered. " You're married?" " Yep" "How long?" "Almost three weeks now." " Well, newlyweds, congratulations. Hopefully you two are happy?" " Very. Now was there another reason you came by?" " Well yes here." She said handing him a manila envelope. Mulder opened it and read the document contained within " Child support? What is this sh . . ." "For your daughter, or should I say our daughter." Mulder closed his eyes then opened them again looking back at the document in his hands. This is real, this is a nightmare. " How old is she?" "3" " What's her name?" "Jade Fox for her father." Mulder closed his eyes again, Scully's gong to kill me. She'll never believe I didn't know about this. " I want proof. I want a DNA test. I'm not paying a dime till I know she's mine." " Oh she is Fox. Though if you saw her you wouldn't doubt it. Spitting image of her daddy except for the burns." Mulder tensed. "Your number the same?" " Yes Fox" " I'll call you with the time and the place for the DNA test." " Don't you want to see her?" " You have here with you?" "In the car." Mulder nodded and walked over to the car and opened the back door, and waved to the angelic looking little girl strapped in her car-seat. Diana was right, his spitting image when he was 3. He slowly rose, tense, scared " So I'll call you later Diana." " Bye fox, Oh and tell your wife hello for me. We'll soon be good friends." Mulder chewed his bottom lip and went back to mowing the lawn. After making the appointment for the DNA test, Mulder was full of nervous energy. How am I going to tell Scully? How would she react? God she almost blew a gasket when Diana called if she is my child I'll have to deal with her on a regular basis. He took a shower and changed waiting nervously on the couch till Scully came home. 6 P.M. Scully came through the door, it had been a long tiring but productive day. She felt great, even better when she saw the roses on the table and a nicely dressed Mulder on the couch. Oh we're going out. " Hey sweetie." She said coming over to him placing a kiss on his forehead and playing with his hair. " Scully, I need to tell you something." " So do I. You first." "No you. What is it?" " Well its kinda silly." " What?" Mulder said with a laugh in his voice " I love you." " I know that." " I know I've never told you." " Was that it?" " Well no. See um I was thinking . .. I'm . . I think I'm pregnant.' " What?!" Well . .I think I'm pregnant." " But I thought you couldn't get pregnant." "So did I, but I'm having morning sickness, I did a pregnancy test at work and it came out positive and another one that came out negative. So I scheduled a doctors appointment for tomorrow and I want you to come with me." "Well of course sweetie." " What's wrong?" " Nothing I'm in shock." Scully giggled then continued " That's why I think I flew off the handle with you yesterday. So what were you going to tell me Mulder?" Mulder paused for a second. Should I tell her? She's in such a great mood. If I don't she'll crucify me later. " I . . . Dana . . . I . . ." " What baby?" Scully said cupping his head between her hands and nuzzling his nose. " I was informed this afternoon that I maybe a father." "I know, by me" " No, by someone else." Scully's smile dropped. " What do you mean?" " Diana came by this afternoon when I was cutting the grass and served me with child support papers. She says I have a daughter by her that's 3 years old." " Is it true?" " I don't know. I set up an appointment for a DNA test tomorrow at 9:30 am. I'll find out in a week." "Mulder, do you think she's yours?" " I don't know Dana, god she looks just like me when I was that age. I don't know what to do. I don't want to be tied to that woman for 17 or 18 odd years." "What's her name?" "Jade fox." "Pretty, unique. Well my appointments at 11:30 meet me there?" Mulder nodded. " So are we going to celebrate or what?" " Celebrate what?" " You may have two daughters tomorrow." " Or a daughter and a son." " Don't push it. You have a little boy already." Pointing to Queequeg who was tussling with a bone twice is size on the back porch. 11:30 am Next Day A nervous plaid shirted Mulder sat next to Scully at the Gyn's office. The other women smiled at him continually and Mulder asked Scully " Why are they smiling at me?" " Cause they know were either here for a pregnancy test or a pregnancy checkup." " How do they know that?" " Well why else would you be here?" Mulder nodded, she did have a point. " Mr. and Mrs. Mulder, the door will see you now." Mulder rose and reached for Scully hand, here we go he thought. It seemed like an eternity before the test results came back. Mulder paced the floor relentlessly. " A serum or urine Pregnancy test should only take15 minutes." " It's only been ten minutes Will." Mulder continued pacing then stopped " You remembered." " Yeah and I'm quickly forgetting its either Mulder or babe from now on." 10 minutes later Mulder was still pacing and complaining. " Have you run a hole into the floor yet?" " Not yet. What do you think of Jason Scott or Austin Shaw." " Nice if we were having a boy but its going to be a girl Mulder. I know these things. Think of some girl names." Mulder continued pacing till the doctor came in. He stopped and looked at her with his patented puppy dog look. " Aren't they adorable when there nervous?" Scully smiled back at Mulder and said " Yep!" " Well you can relax, sort of. Congrats you two are going to be parents, but Dana because of your irregular menstrual patterns, I've set up a very supervised pregnancy routine for you including your doctor visits and what you can and can't do at home." The doctor said giving Scully the schedule. Scully nodded and looked at a beaming Mulder. Next Week Scully came in from work and checked the messages 3 her mom and Mulder twice, she thought. "Hey honey, its mom just checking on you." Erase " Hey baby, oh I mean babies. How are you? Just checking in everyone here sends Congrats. Bye love you." Scully heard the guys in the background making kissing noises and awws "Shut up you guys, call you later bye." Erase "Fox? Hello this is Diana wanted to know if you have your proof yet call me when you do bye." Scully pushed the erase button hard. As long as I don't have to deal with her on a one on one basis, I'll be fine Scully thought as she walked out to get the mail. Scully sorted through the Congrats cards and bills and found what she'd been looking for. Mulder should be the one to open it, but I have to know. I'll call him first and see if its ok. She dialed the station number. "Fire Station No 78, Mike speaking." " Hey Mike, this is Dana. Where are my boys?" " Hey its our new mom to be. Quee's up with us eating dinner, and Mulder's somewhere around here thinking about you, hold on let me find him." Mike covered the receiver and yelled " Mulder your wife's on the line!!" Mulder's voice echoed back " Which line?" " Line 2" then Mike went back to Scully " found him hold on" "Dana?" "Hey Mulder how are you?" " Fine what's wrong?" " You got the DNA test results back. I was wondering if you wanted me to open them for you or not." Mulder thought for a second, it could be another day before he could get home and open it, he knew he couldn't wait that long. " No open it, tell me." Scully tore open the envelope " Mr. Mulder blah, blah, blah 99.9% that the child in question Jade Fox Fowley is your child." Mulder gasped then sighed " Okay we'll talk about this when I get home Tuesday. I love you sweetie." " Love you too bye Mulder." Mulder hung up and collapsed heavily in the chair in his office. He leaned forward burying his head in his hands and muttering to himself. " What's up? She sick or something?" " No but I am." " Sympathy pains? I knew you were whipped." Mulder smiled "No, Diana pulled a fast one on me and now I have a 3 year old daughter with her." " Your kidding!" Mike said, the guys stopped eating, trying to listen to the conversation. "So is it really yours?" " Yep 99.9% sure. This is a nightmare. Scully's going to have a difficult pregnancy already, she really doesn't need this hassle right now." " What hassle? The kid?" " No Diana" 3 days later General Family court. " Mr. Mulder you agree to the $250 a week in child support?" " Yes your honor." " Now visitation and custody. Right now your petition for main custody is denied Mr. Mulder. However, your petition for keeping the child when Ms. Fowley is away on trips is granted. This brings your custody agreement up to when Ms. Fowley is out of town, 3 weeks a year, and every other weekend. Any other custody requests?" " Not at the moment sir." "Ok then Ms. Fowley do you understand this agreement? The visitation and his child support payments of 1000 dollars a month to be garnished from his wages in the amount of $500 every two weeks?" " Yes I understand." " Now your request to have her last name changed to Mulder is granted." " Your honor . . ." " He is the child's father, when the child is of age she may chose to change it back but until then it stays the way it is, Jade Fox Mulder." Diana pouted and nodded in agreement. " Any other requests or issues?" "Your honor, can I spend this afternoon with her? Unsupervised?" The judge nodded " Anything else?" The judge saw no objections and said " Custody arrangements start now. Your first visit is next weekend and your next paycheck will be garnished. Next!!" Mulder smiled at Scully and reached for her hand. Diana came over to them. " Well hello. We've never met. I'm Diana Fowley." " Dana, nice to meet you." Scully said through gritted teeth. The two women regarded each other then looked away. Mulder reached for Jade's hand, but Diana batted it away. " When were outside." Mulder rolled his eyes and grabbed his copy of the custody and payment agreement from the court clerk. Once outside Mulder reached for Jade's hand who regarded him cautiously. He came down to her level and said "Hi, Do you know who I am?" The child nodded, her chestnut pigtails bobbing wildly " You're my Daddy." " That's right. My name is Fox Mulder and this is my wife Dana. We were going to get some ice cream, do you want to come?" The girl nodded quickly then looked at her mother for approval, which she gave. She released her hand and Jade reached for Mulder's, her hazel eyes, green today blazing with wonder. Mulder stood and guided her to his 4runner. " New car, hope you have a car seat?" " Yes I had one installed just for Jade." Mulder said lifting the little girl into the back seat and buckling her into the built in child seat. "Have her back before 8. She should be in bed by then, but I'll make an exception tonight." Mulder nodded and shut the back door, holding the door open for Scully then getting in and starting up the car. " We have the same name. My name is Fox too." " I know." " I can count to a hundred Daddy. Do you want to hear?" "Sure Jade." " Daddy you can call me Jay. Everyone does, even Mommy." " Ok Jay." Then the little girl started counting. They went to the food court at the mall and got some ice cream then went shopping for Jade and their baby. " This stuffs to little for me. I need to be over there." The child said pointing to the bigger clothes " I know, we'll go over there in a minute.." " What do you think?" Scully said holding up an Eeyore sleeper in a light green color," I was thinking we'd do her room in a nice lavender or a light green." " Interesting. I don't know, I'm not very good with colors." " I know." Jay pulled at Mulder's pants leg and he bent to pick her p. " Wow! Your tall Daddy. Can I get on your shoulders?" Mulder ducked his head down and placed her on his shoulders draping her legs over his shoulders and locking them in place with his arms. Scully looked at them " She's got some long legs. She's going to be tall like her daddy." Mulder beamed at her " I'm going over to her size and see what they got." Scully nodded and she continued to look through the baby things. Diana watched from a far as Mulder bent down and kissed Dana quickly, but soundly on the lips, his fingers lightly touching her stomach. She watched as Scully looked through the baby clothes placing them on her stomach. She's pregnant! Oh how perfect Diana thought evilly. Well, well big daddy Mulder, I'm really going to enjoy making your life a nightmare. 7:30 p.m. Mulder pulled up in front of Diana's townhouse. " I'll get her Mulder, you get the bags." Mulder reached in to grab a bag on the seat next to Jade. " No honey leave that one, that's stuff for her room at the house." Mulder nodded and opened the back gate as Scully stealthily unbuckled Jade from the seat and carried the sleeping child to the door. Diana opened it and snatched the child from Scully's arms, throwing her a possessive glance. She looked at Mulder as he came up the walk, his arms full of bags. " Garnering favor with her by spoiling her?" " What are fathers for? Can I bring them inside?" Diana moved out of the door way as he dropped the bags in the living room. " Thanks for letting me keep her this afternoon." "Your welcome, just don't expect it to happen again." Mulder sighed heavily and kissed Jade's forehead "Bye Jay, Goodnight Diana." "Oh Fox, next weekend you can pick her up here by 7 p.m. Friday and make sure she's back home by 9 p.m. on Sunday. Not a minute later." Mulder nodded and reached for Scully's hand as he headed back to the car. 4 months later Mulder ran to the door, god I hope I'm not late, stupid Gyn all that time just to say what we already know. It's a girl. Mulder rocked back and forth on his heels, she's not gaining enough weight, but she eats 6 or 7 meals a day. Nice and fattening ones too, Mulder thought I'm gaining all the weight she should be. It's going to be a big baby. He hoped he wasn't too late. Last time he came at 7:03 and she wouldn't let him take Jade. 7 p.m. not a minute later I said Fox its three minutes later, sorry she'll see you in two weeks. It took a call to the judge to change her tune but by that time it was Saturday night and most of his weekend was gone. Diana opened the door " Its 7:01" " I know took forever at the Gyn's then traffic. Is she ready?" Oh please, please. " Yes she's just finishing, come in?" " No Dana's waiting in the car." " Is everything alright?" " Yeah just she's a little underweight and her Blood pressures high, nothing too bad." Diana nodded as jay ran to her dad's open arms. " Daddy!" " Hey pumpkin" Mulder said kissing her on the cheek and swooping her into his arms. Diana handed him Jade's overnight bag and was about to say something when Mulder said "I know 9 p.m. Sunday not a minute later. Bye Diana." Saturday 1 p.m., The park " Daddy watch this, watch." " One sec sweetie." Mulder said dropping to tie his shoe. Jade climbed on top of the jungle gym. " Look, I'm a tightrope walker like at the circus." Mulder looked up to see his daughter on top of the monkey bars. "Jade Wait! Stop!" He said running over as fast as he could, not fast enough to prevent her from slipping and falling off the bars, and landing hard in the sand below. Mulder ran and bent down surveying the damage. Shoot this is not what I needed to have happen.. He looked at her arm which was swelling already, broken for sure. He picked up his crying daughter and put her in the car and took her to the nearest ER, then he called Diana. As he watched the doctor set and start Jade's purple cast, Diana stormed in " What happened?" " She fell off the jungle gym." "How?" " She was on top of the monkey bars and fell." " What kind of a father are you? She could have been killed. What were you thinking letting her do that?" Mulder dropped his head " I didn't know she was on top. I looked away for a sec . . ." " You stupid . . . you never look away for a second. She could have died, then what?" " I'm sorry, I didn't thin . . ." " You sure didn't! Well this ends your weekend right here. She's going home with me, you incompetent Bastard! I should have you under supervised visitations if you can't care for your daughter better than this!" The doctor looked sympathetically at Mulder, who was already distraught enough by his child's injury, now by the child's mother. Scully came in the ER, and went to Mulder's side. " What happened Mulder?" " He almost got our daughter killed, stupid bastard." Scully could see the anger rising in Mulder. He was using every ounce of self control not to strangle Diana, screaming it was an accident. A tear ran down his cheek, Scully soothingly touched his arm and pulled him over to a bench far away from Diana. "What happened?" Mulder broke down and started to sob in Scully's arms while telling her what he'd done. " Mulder, its not your fault, it was an accident. Diana's just upset." "She'll take her away, she won't let me see her again." " She can't do that without a court order. Calm down, don't worry." Mulder still teary eyed nodded, and Scully sent him to clean up. When he came back out Jade came running to him with a permanent marker. " Daddy, Daddy sign my cast. Sign it with your full name. The other kids at preschool don't believe I'm named after you." Mulder smiled and wrote his name out then handed the marker to Dana who signed it. Mulder then picked Jade up and placed her in his lap, kissing and hugging her tightly. Diana stormed over and snatched her from him. " Mommy!" " No, you coming home with me tonight. Your father obviously can't take care of you appropriately." " But we were going to see the Muppets from Space. NO! I want to stay with Daddy!" The little girl said as she kicked and screamed in her mothers arms. Mulder started to go after them but stopped and sighed heavily. " Come on Dana, lets get out of here." Later that Night Scully kissed him softly on his neck and nuzzled in close. He hardly touched her anymore, she was burning for him to touch her. She ran her fingers down his side caressing the firm muscles she found there. She rubbed her arms, her fingers cherishing every dip and divot in his skin. When she first started dating him she had wanted to fix him, fix the scars the burns had left on his skin. But after a few painful examinations, she realized it was hopeless. Now she wouldn't dream of it, they were a part of him, something she cherished and loved. She only wished he would take that silly shirt off when they made love. She ran her cool hands under his shirt, massaging his broad shoulders. Mulder tensed. " Relax Mulder." Mulder turned towards her and saw the desire in her eyes " I'll hurt you." " No you won't, the doctor said it was alright." He touched her stomach gently, he was already so attached to his unborn daughter. She's going to be so spoiled, I don't know what I'm going to do with her. She'll never touch the ground. She ran her fingers through his hair and kissed him softly " God I love you Dana. I don't know what I'd do without you. I'd die if I ever lost you." Scully smiled " Sweet talker." Then she captured his mouth again, suckling his full bottom lip. Her hands traveled under his shirt, when he pulled away. Scully was about to release a sigh of disappointment when he pulled off his shirt and threw it across the room, where it hit the closet door with a resounding thwack. Scully double blinked, her eyes trying to focus on him in the dark. Mulder covered her eyes with one hand and turned on the lamp beside the bed with the over. He uncovered her eyes slowly and watched her reaction. It still had his characteristic golden hue, but it was stretched tight in some places and rough and splotchy in other parts. Mulder ran his fingers through her hair and Scully looked up at him. " You are so beautiful Mulder." Mulder snorted and looked at her confused, as she kissed him in the middle of his battered chest. Her lips sending electric tingles through his body. She pushed down his boxers and ran her fingers up and down his thigh. " Who told you, you weren't?" " Diana." "She's a fool. You're the most beautiful man I've ever seen." She kissed him on his neck tracing a line with her tongue to his collarbone. Mulder couldn't stand it any longer. He needed to be inside her, and he entered her cautiously. 31/2 months later 11:30 am Jade was on the couch watching the powderpuff girls while Scully anxious to do something was out back raking leaves. Being home all day, propped up like a beached whale was no fun. The doctor ordered her to stop working at 7 months, Scully was feeling like a caged animal especially with Mulder at work this weekend. The metal rake hit the hard ground pulling the last of the leaves into a neat pile by the deck stairs. There it took all week, but the back yard is ready for Mulder to bag. Scully started slowly up the stairs when Diana came out on the deck. " Where's Mulder?" "He had to work this weekend. Do you need him?" " Maybe. You know, It would be a shame if something were to happen to you while he was away. It would make him feel so guilty. His precious wife and baby girl, what are you two going to name her, Kalen?" Scully seeing the veiled threat tried to get passed her, but Diana knocked her off balance. The rake went flying as Scully tried to regain her balance. She fell backwards down the porch steps, trying to turn so she wouldn't fall on her stomach as she landed on her side on top of the spines of the rake. Diana smiled at her handy work. Take that Mulder. Jade ran out to see what had happened and saw Scully on the ground writhing in pain and her mother doing nothing to help her. " Mommy, she needs help." Diana looked at her daughter and rolled her eyes. Jade's mouth dropped open from disbelief as she ran to the phone and called 911. 1pm Scene of a fire. "Is Mulder here?" a young firefighter asked Mike who was getting ready to fire up another hose. " Yeah the guy over there, something wrong.?" " His wife was in an accident." Oh god, Mike thought as he screamed " Mulder!! Come here quick!!" Mulder trotted over " What?" he said slightly annoyed at the interruption. " Dana's been in an accident." " What? What happened? Where is she? What hospital?" Mulder said grabbing the young man by his shoulders and shaking him. " Mercy general." " Come on guys, the gang from the 13th can handle this. I need to get to Mercy General now!." 1:10 p.m. ER Mercy General Mulder followed by the rest of the 78th precinct Fire squad bust through the ER doors in full Firefighter gear. " Dana Scully-Mulder is she here?" Mulder asked frantically of the ER clerk " She's in surgery. Doesn't look good. Why who are you?" " I'm her husband. Where's her bed?" " Bed 13 around the corner." Mulder ran to bed 13 where Diana and Jay sat waiting. " Daddy!" " Jay! What happened? Diana what happened?" " She fell down the stairs on the deck out back." " Don't lie Mommy. You pushed her. Dana was raking leaves and Mommy pushed her as she was going up the stairs and she fell down the stairs on the rake she was using." The guys from the station turned and looked at each other, then backed up. It was one thing to hurt Mulder, but to lay a finger on Dana Scully, that person had an obvious death wish. Mulder started to bristle " What the fu . . ." "Daddy!" Mulder looked at Jade, handed her to Mike, then proceeded to tear into Diana. " What kind of sick bastard freak, are you? I could kill you. Are you aware of how close I am to doing that. God Dang it! She was pregnant, what were you thinking, you psycho freak . . ." " I . .I . ." " Shut up!! If anything happens to her or our little girl, I will kill you. I will not lose either of them because of your petty . . ." Mulder stopped biting back tears and the rage that was engulfing him. " I will wrap my hands around your neck and squeeze till your head pops off! If she dies, I will take you out you stupid B . . ." " Is there a problem sir?" A nurse asked cautiously. She had never seen a man that deep red a color, his hair actually standing on end. She knew he was probably going to go off at any minute. "Yeah there's a problem. She tried to kill my wife and my unborn daughter. Yeah I'd say there was a problem." " Why don't you step out side and discuss . ." " I WILL NOT step outside and discuss anything! I refuse to leave until I know my wife and child are ok! And I refuse to leave till I know why this B . . ." " Sir!" the nurse interrupted " did what she did!" Mulder continued " Because you didn't deserve them you . . ." Diana was unable to finish her sentence because Mulder snapped lunging at her taking her neck in his hands and squeezing for all he was worth. Security ran over trying to pry his hands from around her throat. Mulder screamed obscenities while increasing the pressure on Diana's neck. The guys for his department helped and finally pried him away from her. He started to buck and scream " No! Let me go! I'm going to kill her! Put me down!" " Nurse, get me a sedative, quick! Hold him down!" One of the doctors said. The nurse came back with a syringe as the others tried to hold a squirming, fighting Mulder down. " Geez Mulder calm down." Mike said. Mulder let out an animal like roar of rage that froze everyone with fear, then the doctor jammed the needle into his arm. Mulder started to calm down quickly " Well ok, what was that all about?" The exhausted doctor asked " His pregnant wife was pushed off there deck by the woman he was choking, she fell on a metal rake. He's a little upset." " That's an understatement. The sedative will keep him down for a while. I'll see if there is an update on his wife." Everything swirled around in Mulder's mind all he could see was Scully's face, full of fear and Diana's fixed into an evil grin as she pushed her down the stairs. " Mulder! I need you Mulder! Where are you?" the Scully in his mind screamed. God this is my fault, I should have been there. I shouldn't have left her alone. He remembered what he had told her a few months before 'I'd die if I ever lost you'. I should slit my wrists right now, but they'd probably try and save me. This is an ER. The haze started to break as the drugs wore off. " Mr. Mulder? Mr. Mulder? Hi I'm the doctor who operated on your wife. Everything looks great. She hemorrhaged a little so we had to take the baby a little early, but she's still a big girl, 10 lbs 3 oz, and just as spunky as her father I hear. Mrs. Mulder is in stable condition, we have her on Demerol for the pain. We would like to keep her the week so we can make sure there is no infection. I'll take you to see her now." Mulder rose shakily feeling very drained and heavy. Mulder clumped into Scully's room and saw her, her red hair pulled behind her ears and a small red haired bundle in her arms. He slowly approached and Scully said to the baby "There he is Kalen. That's your Daddy, he usually isn't so dirty, but he's been working." Mulder smiled and reached his hand tentatively towards his daughter. " She won't break Mulder." Mulder smiled and pushed his fingers into one of her little fists. She grabbed it tightly and gave him a toothless grin. " See told you she's daddy's girl already." " You alright Dana?" " I'm flying high, Demerol is a wonder drug." " I should have been there. I should have canceled my weekend with Jay. I shouldn't have gone into work." " Mulder, how were you supposed to know what was going to happen? You may be spooky, but your not psychic. Here take off some of that gear and I'll let you hold her a while. I'm so tired. I hear you went terminator on Diana in the ER, sorry I missed that. I've never seen you angry." " And you never will." He said placing his stuff over in a corner and reaching for Kalen. " Support her head, yeah that's right." Mulder cradled his daughter in his arms and smiled, this was the most amazing feeling in the world. He looked back at Scully who grinned at him and he knew everything would be okay. 1 « year later Look who we have here, hey Joey." " Hi " Kalen said grabbing onto her mother's leg " Kalen, not Joey. Where's Mulder?" " Mulder calls her Joey. He's inspecting some planes down at the airport, he should be back any minute now." " Well I'll page him later. Just wanted to see if he needed me to pick up Jay today" Airport " Ok check. Oxygen tanks full, check no leaks, check. Now there are no other Oxygen tanks on board are there?" Mulder asked looking at the pilot quickly, when he didn't respond. " No there aren't. That's all of them." " Ok nothing flammable in the cargo hold?" " No." " Ok let me run through here one more time and check." "That's really not necessary. I kinda need to get going." " This is an international smoking flight. I need to make sure there are no flammable gases leaking." " You've done that!" " I know and now I'm double checking. Don't worry it will be quick." Mulder ran through the plan picking certain sections on the plane, checking for leaks. " Ok ready to fly. Have a nice flight. Sign here." The pilot gladly signed and Mulder left. American flight 303, done. He was usually not that careful when he inspected planes, but Diana was going to Germany on that flight and he wanted to make sure she got there and back. No matter how much her disliked her, she was still the mother of his oldest daughter, which demanded an ounce or two of respect, no matter how unworthy of it she was. His pager beeped and he smiled when he saw Scully's cell phone number. He quickly dialed it as he started his car. 9 p.m. Jade was asleep between Mulder and Scully who were watching Weekend Magazine with Stone Philips when a special report came on. " American Flight 303 headed to Germany exploded today. Details are sketchy but it appears a leaky Oxygen tank that was smuggled aboard by a passenger has the cause of the explosion. Everyone on board was killed. We're going Live to the Coast guard cutter Maryland for more details." Mulder's mouth dropped open and he let out a guttural moan. "Oh god no!" "What, What's wrong?" " That was the plane I inspected today. Diana was on that plane. Oh my god Dana. Oh my god she's dead and it's my fault. I knew I should have checked the passenger list one more time. God poor Jade" Mulder's body was racked with sobs as Scully got over the initial shock of what she just heard. She smiled secretly, Ding Dong the witch is dead. Good riddance she thought then she soothingly rubbed Mulder's back. " It was not your fault. How were you supposed to know that man had an oxygen tank in his carry on bag." "Yes it is my fault. I signed off on the plane. I said it was alright to fly." " Your not responsible for other people's negligence. You had finished your inspection before that passenger got on. You didn't know." " I killed her, Oh god I killed her. Now Jade doesn't have a mother. Oh god I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." 6 months later Mulder stepped out on the back porch and stripped off his shirt. A two year old Kalen did the same thing imitating her father as he sat on the cool porch steps. He watched Jade play with Queequeg, chasing him around the yard. Scully came out and kissed his bare back, placing her legs around him and resting her head on his back. Things were getting back to normal. Diana was gone, Jade was fully theirs, Kalen was as rambunctious as ever. Mulder kept feeling it didn't seem right, things weren't supposed to go this well for him. Some things missing, some things going to happen. He looked out over the horizon and smiled secretly marveling at his quandary.