From: Katie at DKScully@juno.com
Date: November 22, 1997
Category:SRA
Spoilers: ReduxII
Keywords: Thanksgiving
Summary: After the good news of Scully's remission, her family strives to
have the most wonderful Thanksgiving ever and it may mean many
revelations for everyone.....including Mulder.
Disclaimer: Mulder, Samantha, Dana Scully, Margaret Scully, Bill Jr.
Scully, and Charles Scully do not belong to me, they belong to CC, 1013,
and FOX. <Phew! What a mouth full! :*)>


			Coming Together

	Scully packed her things, standing in her hospital room in one of
her business suits.  She wore a genuine smile which had been rare as of
late.  Her heart was light and full of hope. It was more than that.  She
was full of love and faith too.  She softly hummed to herself as she
tossed the last of her belongings into her suitcase, thinking of how
Mulder had stuck by her.  Everyday he would visit her, reassure her and
kiss her gently.

	The emotion she felt in his kisses went beyond friendship.  They
were short and soft, but much lie beneath the surface.  She felt all of
his anguish, his sorrow, his hope and caring.  But what she felt most,
what comforted her most was the love in his kisses.  His lips brushed her
so softly as if he was afraid of breaking her.  She smiled again and
picked up her bag, turning to go.

	She jumped on her heels when she saw Mulder waiting in the
doorway, then smiled shyly, wondering if he had heard her humming.

	His smile beamed at her as he walked to her side.  "You know,
Scully, you should quit the FBI and start a singing career, you have a
beautiful voice."

	She smiled softly, blushing a little.  He took her hand in his
and reached to carry her suitcase in the other but she tugged it away,
smiling.  "I can do it."

	He shrugged with a lopsided grin, gave her hand a squeeze, and
lead them out to his car.  On the way to her mother's house, they sat
quietly, not needing to talk, each others actions expressing how they
felt.  His hand rested atop hers, and he glanced at her every so often
with a soft smile.

	Her cancer was a horrible, terrifying experience, but it had
brought them so much closer together.  She could feel it in his essence. 
It seemed everything was looking up now.  Her family was all getting
together for Thanksgiving, even Charlie was coming.  She was excited to
see her younger brother who had been away in the Navy for years.

	She gazed out the window as they neared the Scully house and her
heart sank.  She knew Mulder had nowhere to go for Thanksgiving and she
was bursting to ask him but she held back afraid something would come
between Mulder and Bill, knowing the tension that lay between the two.

	Mulder walked her to the door, a guiding hand on the small of her
back and a small smile across his lips.  As the door opened, Scully was
embraced by three people all at once, her mother, and her two brothers. 
She laughed joyfully and tried to hug them all back.  They pulled her
inside with her luggage and Mrs. Scully beamed at her daughter.  "Oh,
Dana, I'm so glad you're home."

	Scully smiled and answered, "I'm happy to be home, Mom."

	Mrs. Scully's gaze turned to Mulder and her smile softened. 
"Fox, won't you please stay for Thanksgiving dinner?"

	He drew back from the doorway and smiled warmly but mumbled
something like "I really can't,"  then Bill stood behind his mother and
looked down at her with a little anger in his eyes.  "Mom, no.  He put
her in the hospital in the first place, he shouldn't be here.  This is
for family."

	Mulder looked down, his heart streaking with guilt then he looked
up to meet Mrs. Scully's gaze, but not Bill's, a little afraid.  "That's
ok, Mrs. Scully, really..."

	Margaret Scully shot her son an ice cold glance.  "Bill, Fox had
nothing to do with Dana's cancer, and don't you ever accuse him of that. 
He stood by her through everything and he's very important to her, you
know that," she snapped.  She turned back to Mulder, smiled
sympathetically, and held out her hand to him.  "Please Fox.  With all
this family's been through, I won't let it fall apart now.  You're part
of this family.  Please?"

	Looking into her eyes he could see his staying really meant a lot
to her so he stepped forward slowly taking her hand, and nodded with a
soft smile.

	With everyone at the table Mrs. Scully lead a small beautiful
prayer, and everyone bowed their heads in silence.  After that  Maggie
glanced around the table and paid close attention to everyone's faces. 
Dana looked radiantly happy sitting by Fox, and though no one else could
see, she knew they were holding hands beneath the table because she had
seen it when she dropped her fork.  She smiled for a moment then looked
to Fox's face.  It was shy and she knew he felt out of place with Bill's
words.  

	Bill's face was solemn, and she could see a light trace of anger
and resentment there.  She bit her bottom lip gently and looked to
Charlie.  She couldn't help smiling, he was eyeing the food like a
vulture, but contained his hunger with a small grin.  His bright auburn
hair shined in the light like Dana's and his blue eyes sparkled.  She
knew he was happy to be home.  She had to say something, relieve the
tension that lay between Bill and Fox.

	"I have an idea, before we eat why don't we share what we're
thankful for?  I know we have a lot this year.  I'll start.  I'm thankful
Dana's cancer went into remission and that the whole family is here for
Thanksgiving.  Dana?"

	"Well...I'm thankful my cancer has gone into remission also.  I'm
glad I have all of you and Mulder here with me.  You've all been so
supportive to me and I love you very much.  Mulder?"

	He smiled at her.  "It's, it's ok.  You can call me Fox.  

	She raised her eyebrows, he nodded and she smiled at him.

	"I'm thankful that you're sitting here beside me today Dana, and
I hope you're by my side for many years to come.  I'm also thankful that
you've let me share this experience with you, it truly means a lot to
me."  He looked down softly and nodded towards Bill.

	"I'm thankful that my sister is getting better because she's so
important to me."  He looked at Dana as tears shone behind his eyes but
he wouldn't let them fall.  "I love you shortcake, and I won't let
anything happen to you.  I do and say things sometimes only because I
worry about you.  I'm so scared that I could lose you..."  He choked up
and couldn't finish, bowing his head and rubbing his eyes.

	Dana looked to her brother with love in her eyes and comfort. 
"Oh Bill," she tried to soothe him.

	Mulder felt himself about ready to cry.  Ever since the
conversation in the hospital he felt like he was walking on Bill's
territory, like he was taking something that wasn't his, and listening to
this endearing statement made his heart ache.

	"I'd like to say I'm thankful, of course for Dana's health, and
also for you, Fox," Charlie interrupted.  "Dana wrote me every month in
the Navy.  Her letters always spoke of how she admired you, how highly
she thought of you and how she felt this need to defend you, keep your
trust and your respect."

	Mulder looked to Charles, a little awe showing on his features,
and along the table Mrs. Scully and Bill were listening intently.

	"You're very important to my sister, Mr. Mulder.  If you are so
important to her, you're important to me too.  I know Mom has said you're
like another son to her, and beneath all Bill's bull, he appreciates what
you've done to help Dana.  He'll never say it, but I know he does." 
Charlie looked to Bill and nodded as if saying 'You know I'm right.'

	Bill looked down and nodded slightly.  Mulder smiled softly and 
took Dana's hand in his above the table and squeezed it softly.  "Dana is
very important to me too, and so are all of you.  Mrs. Scully, you've
been like a second mother to me and I can never express how thankful I am
to you.  Bill, I don't know you too well, but your friendship means a lot
to me.  I know you're worried about your sister, but maybe it would help
if you knew that I need her more than I need anyone in my life, and I
don't plan on letting her go anywhere.  Charles, I just met you, but you
sound like a pretty nice guy and I hope we can be friends."

	Charles and Bill nodded at Mulder. It was a simple gesture, but
instantly all tension dissolved in the room.  Everyone was forgiven. 
With this sudden solace, a warm smile spread over everyone's face and
they started eating their Thanksgiving meal.  With all that had happened
in their lives they had overcome it together and found that coming
together was what they needed all along.

The End!  I know this seems kinda choppy, sorry about that.  There was so
much I wanted to do with this, but it would be incredibly long if I
did<s>  so I'll just make another fan fic.  Happy Thanksgiving
everyone!!!!!
Please send all comments to DKScully@juno.com