Almost Family - Part 1 (PG) Frohike answered the door and recognized the large man standing there immediately. He didn’t bother to acknowledge him, turning instead to her. "Hey Scully, do you want me to let him in?" Scully looked over from her seat on the couch and spotted her big brother glaring down at the smaller man. "Bill? What are you doing here?" She rose and moved toward the door, knotting her robe more firmly around her. Bill noted that the bearded man automatically reached out to help her up and the longhaired weirdo looked like he wanted to charge at him. Go ahead, let him try. Bill fixed his gaze on the man until Langly looked away. "Bill." Scully put her hand on his arm, drawing his attention back to herself. "Could we talk?" She sighed, knowing what he wanted was privacy. That was the last thing she wanted, but she also knew it was inevitable. "Listen guys, do you mind?" "No, of course – " Byers stood and the others followed suit less graciously. "Dana, are you sure?" Frohike ignored the look Bill shot him. Scully smiled slightly at the protective gesture. "It’s okay, really." Frohike threw one last look at Bill, then headed for the door. Langly followed him with Byers bringing up the rear. The first two went on out but Byers stopped. "Scully, are you sure you’ll be okay? You just got out." He glanced over at the impatient man and visualized the steam coming out of his ears. "I’ll be all right, John." "I have my cell phone. If you need anything . . . " She squeezed his hand and nodded. He looked her over one more time and sighed, then left to catch up with his friends. She took a deep breath and turned to look at her brother. "Where did you pick up that trio of losers? Friends of Mulder’s no doubt." "That’s how I met them, but they’re very good friends of mine now as well. They’ve been very good to – " "Sure. I’m real sure." He turned from her and sank onto the couch. Her shoulders slumped slightly, why had she thought it would be any different. She joined him on the couch. "What are you doing in DC?" "Mom called." His eyes scanned her body. "Is it true?" She stiffened, "Is what true?" "Did he get you pregnant? Mulder, did he . . . and then deserted you?" She closed her eyes. This was not a conversation she could handle right now. He was watching her reaction and rose from the couch. "Oh god! It is! He . . . then he . . . I’ll kill him." "Bill! Stop it! I don’t need this, not now. Mulder is gone, but it’s not his fault. He was abducted, he – " "Bullshit! Don’t give me that alien crap. I can’t believe he’s got you thinking like that now. He found out and took off." "Bill don’t do this. Yes, I’m pregnant and yes, it’s Mulder’s. He was taken from me, this is not his fault. He moved heaven and earth to find me – " "But he didn’t find you. You were returned, nearly dead." She paled at that and for the first time he realized how upset she was. He relented slightly and moved toward her. She flinched and he stopped. "You shouldn’t be here alone. Let me take you over to Mom’s." "No. I’m going to stay here. This is where he’ll look for me, try to reach me." "You think he’ll come back?" "Bill! Damn you, he will be back. We’re going to find him – those men are helping me. And Walter. He’ll be back. I know he will and he’ll be back soon." "You want him here?" For the first time tears formed in her eyes. She blinked them back, fighting to keep them from falling. "I want you to leave." "Come back to California with me Dana. If you won’t go to Mom’s - " "I told you – " "He’s not coming back, Dana. He’s run away, but you still have your family. You’re better off without him anyway. He’s no good for you – look at what he’s done to you. It’s been a disaster ever since you met him; your life has been in complete chaos for years. Maybe now – " They both jumped at the sound of the knock at the door. She rose immediately he noticed, anxious to see who would be at her door this late. He sat where he was, fuming at the interruption. "Walter?" "I came to see if everything was all right. I got a call." She smiled sadly at him. "I’m fine." "Well, excuse me for saying it, but you don’t look fine. They released you too soon." He had taken her arm and entered the apartment. He glanced at the obviously hostile man seated on her couch. "Director Skinner, this is my brother, Bill Scully. Bill, Walter Skinner, my – " "I know who Mr. Skinner is. Your boss, yours and Mulder’s. The man who encourages all of these fantasies and – " "Dana, you need to be off of your feet." Skinner realized as the man in front of him talked, she was leaning more and more heavily against him. He wondered if she knew. Ignoring her brother, Walter led her to her bedroom and seated her on the bed. "Walter, I am . . . " Her voice trailed off at his expression. He sat beside her on the bed, "Look, I wasn’t able to protect Mulder, help him. But I’ll be damned if I let anything happen to you or his child. I don’t care if he is your brother, he’s not going to come in here and upset you and load another pile of stress on you. Come on, lie down and put your feet up." "Since when did you become the expert on pregnant women?" She said it lightly but he could feel her gratitude. "Oh, we ex-marines can do anything." He grinned down at her. "Feet up – that’s an order." He was only mildly surprised when she took him at his word. She was stressed and exhausted. Her worry for Mulder was nearly overwhelming her. He would redouble his efforts to keep an eye on her. She would not be back on active duty for now – that was a given. He stood and pulled the covers up over her and then squeezed the hand she held out to him. Her smile was tremulous and he noted the tears that slid toward her hairline, though he made no comment. He placed her hand on the covers, patted it and left the room. He was slightly startled to find Bill standing just outside the door but he covered quickly and closed the door gently behind him. "Just who the hell do you think you are? I’m her brother and – " "I know your relationship to that woman. I don’t care. No one is going to add to her stress right now. And lower your voice. You and your wife have a child, don’t you?" At the grudging nod he continued. "Would you allow anyone to treat your wife the way you were treating her when she was pregnant?" The color rose in Bill’s face. "The circumstances are – " "Lower your voice I said. She’s resting." Bill took an involuntary step back at the tone of command that came from Skinner. When he spoke again his voice was quiet, though his blood pressure was rising. "You don’t believe this bullshit about Mulder being abducted. He knocked her up and took off." Skinner’s hands had become fists and he had to take a deep breath before he could respond. "Agent Mulder was taken against his will. I was the only eyewitness to the event and what I saw is undeniable. The last thing that he wanted was to be separated from your sister. He had refused to allow her to return to Oregon because of his fear that something would happen to her. As for the child, Mulder is unaware of its existence at this time. It is my number one priority to correct that matter and return Agent Mulder to his partner." "You’re in love with my sister." Bill voice was full of wonder. Skinner’s eyes widened, "I beg your pardon?" "You are. This is personal to you." "I have the utmost respect and, yes, affection for your sister. I feel a responsibility to her because I was unable to protect Agent Mulder in the field. She and Mulder are, in my estimation, the two best agents at the Bureau when it comes to investigation. And I will do everything in my power to keep her and the child safe until Mulder returns to take up that responsibility. If you have a problem with that, we need to settle it now." "You are not her family. You have no stake in this." "Bill, the way I see it, those three men that were here and I are her family right now. We’re the people she can rely on, the people who have her best interests at heart, the people who care the most about her and what she wants. I’m going to ask you to leave now. I’ll make myself available to talk to you at any time, but if I find out that you have bothered her or upset her, I will come down on your ass like the wrath of God. Don’t doubt me on this, you will be sorry." Bill opened his mouth to speak again, then seemed to think better of it. He turned abruptly and let himself out of the apartment, barely keeping the door from slamming. Skinner allowed his shoulders to relax slightly and moved toward the couch. Before he got to it her bedroom door opened. "Thank you Walter." "You shouldn’t be up." His voice was gruff. Her brother had hit him with an accusation he’d been unprepared for and he needed some time. "I know, but I wanted to . . . to let you know what . . . " She couldn’t stop the tears this time and he was beside her though he couldn’t remember moving. He placed his hand awkwardly on her shoulder and she turned to him, her arms going around him. He reciprocated without thought, she needed the comfort, hell the security, right now and he’d just vowed to give her those things if it was within his power. After a few moments he stepped back. "You really should try to rest now. I’m going to hang out here for awhile, just make sure no one else disturbs you tonight. I’ll let myself out. If you need anything . . . " She smiled tiredly and nodded, then turned back to her bedroom and quietly shut the door. Skinner felt limp from the emotions that had coursed through him. How the hell was she going to be able to stand this? He lowered himself onto her couch and sat staring into space. What was going to happen next? ***** He woke disoriented, her hand on his shoulder. "Walter?" Oh shit, he’d fallen asleep on Scully’s couch. "Scully, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to uh . . . " "It’s okay. I appreciate it." He glanced at his watch, nearly 3 a.m. "Why are you up? Are you okay?" She rolled her eyes. "It’s such a cliché. I had to go to the bathroom. I realized the lights were still on and checked." He couldn’t quite hide the grin. "I need to get on out of here." He started to rise. "Do you . . . do you have to leave?" "No." He settled back into his seat. "Aren’t you tired?" "Not really. I’ve been in bed for days. I really don’t want to sleep any more. Could we, could I ask you . . . " She turned away from him. "What do you want to ask me, Dana?" He lightly touched her shoulder, causing her to look back at him. "Have you found out anything? I know you want to protect me, but Walter, I need to know what’s happening. Please." He sighed, "I’m not keeping anything from you Dana. I wouldn’t do that. The guys and I have not stopped since this happened. But so far . . . Dana I promise to keep you apprised of our progress, even . . . " He didn’t bother to finish the sentence. She nodded, "What about Krycek? Does he know anything?" "He’s not . . . He and Marita seem to have vanished temporarily. We’re looking for them as well. Let us handle this." "No. Walter, I can’t sit on the sidelines. I have to be part of this, I have to work or I’ll lose my mind." He watched her for a moment in silence. She meant what she said. He would just have to ensure that she didn’t go too far with it. Yes, she was a doctor, but she couldn’t step back and see this. Finding Mulder would outweigh her common sense. No, he mentally corrected himself – she would never intentionally put her child in danger. He’d have to trust her, but he would be keeping a close eye on her. Finally he nodded. "You’ll be in on this, but from the office – at least for now," he added as she started to protest. Her eyes narrowed and her brow rose, but he didn’t back down. After a moment she looked down. Okay, he was right – for now. "There’s one other thing." He nodded, waiting. "Did you mean what you said?" He froze, what had she heard? "Do you really . . . are you and the guys really going to be my family now?" She’d heard it all, even the accusation. He took a deep breath, "Absolutely." "I’m . . . I’m sorry about Bill." "Don’t worry about him. I’ve handled worse." He was smiling again. "I’ve never really understood his hatred of Mulder. I mean, Mulder didn’t kill Melissa. I’m the one that took the assignment on the X-Files; I’m the one that stayed through it all. I guess he can’t make himself blame me for her death. But the way he treated Mulder when he found the chip that . . . that cured my cancer – " "I thought you weren’t convinced about the value of the chip." She looked away, then back, "Well I guess I am. If you ask me to go on the record, I’m not sure what hard evidence I could bring to the table other than myself, but . . . " "You don’t have to convince me, Dana." "That was the first time Mulder actually met Bill. He tried to hide how hurt he was by Bill’s attitude. I was too sick at the time to try to make things easier. Maybe if I had tried to intercede . . . " "Dana, its history. Mulder is a totally different kind of man than Bill. I understand Bill better than I do Mulder, I’m more like him, or I was. Mulder converted me." He chuckled, "He led me to the dark side, you too. That’s what bothers Bill – he can’t allow himself to believe the things you and I have seen, the things Mulder has known about all along. So he has to fight it. He cares about you Dana, he’s your brother, but he can’t . . . he can’t handle all of this." She sighed and leaned back on the couch. "You getting tired?" "A little, but I’m not sleepy." She leaned more comfortably into the pillows. "Can I ask you a question?" "Of course." She turned to him. "Bill did raise one question that I had as well. Wouldn’t you be more comfortable staying with your mother right now?" He didn’t expect that reaction. Her eyes grew moist and her color rose in her cheeks. "Dana?" "I . . . I can’t . . . Mom isn’t exactly thrilled about the situation I’m in." "What?" "I am having a child out of wedlock. That’s not exactly a mother’s dream for her daughter. I mean part of her is happy for me. She knows how much I want a child, ever since . . . but still . . ." "You’re a grown woman Dana. Surely she understands your relationship with Mulder." She shook her head slightly, then looked up at him and smiled sadly. "I think I really do need you, Byers, Langly and Frohike to be my family for now." "Well, you’ve got us. Don’t worry about that." She turned away and pulled a tissue from the box. "You okay?" She nodded, "Hormones. Just ignore me." She blew her nose and took a shuddery breath. "You should go back to bed. I’ll get out of here." The look of fear that flashed across her face startled him. "Or, I could stay, if you want." "No, it’s okay. You should go on home." Now he regretted his statement. She would never admit she didn’t want to be alone, but she also would never allow him to coddle her. She rose and moved toward the door. "Dana, why don’t I stay the rest of the night. It’s almost morning anyway – " Her look stopped him. "Walter, don’t. We both know Bill is not going to come over this late. I appreciate what you’re doing – what you’re all doing, but I’m not going to let you smother me. I have to be an equal member of the team." "I can’t promise that Dana. Intellectually yes, but physically . . . we have to be practical here. There’s one and a half of you right now. When Mulder gets back I have to turn you over to him in perfect health. I refuse to do less." She tilted her head back to keep the tears from escaping her eyes. "I’ll be glad to get this under control again." "Don’t worry about it. I’ll give you a call in the morning. Try to get a little sleep, okay?" She nodded and opened the door for him. He waited outside until he heard the bolt engage. Then he sighed and turned toward his car. Maybe he could get a couple of hours in before he had to get up and go to work. He did have other responsibilities than this case, this woman. It was just that none of them mattered as much to him. He sighed and pulled out his keys. ***** Walter’s gone. I sent him home, even though the night was almost over. I know he would have stayed, maybe wanted to stay, but I couldn’t let him. I have to be alone sometime and I haven’t been since . . . since Mulder left for Oregon with Walter. These men in my life now seem to be afraid to leave me alone. Of course I’m not alone. You’re here. You’re here with me, inside of me, part of me. I will keep you safe. I won’t let anyone harm you – not your Uncle Bill, not the Bureau, no one. I wish your father knew about you. He would be frightened, frightened of the implications of you. He would be feel guilty that he had ‘done’ this to me, responsible for what he would see as something he should have thought to prevent. He would worry about my reputation, the rift with my mother, the worsening of my relationship with Bill. He’d be wrong to feel that way. I’m delighted with everything about you. I couldn’t care less what anyone thinks about my ‘reputation’. I’ve wanted you forever, even before I knew it. When I first thought about children, having a family, I hadn’t even met your father. The planning of you was something in the distant future – after my ‘career’ was established and I found the right man. I want to laugh even thinking about that. Right man – who would have thought that Fox Mulder would be the right man for me. But he is. I’m not sure how long I’ve known that. Maybe a lot longer than I’m willing to admit. Years ago, the night Tooms slithered into my apartment, the first time he broke my door down, part of me knew. I’ve ignored it, fought it, laughed at it, and finally, finally succumbed to it. He’ll feel inadequate too. Worried about his ability to be a father to you. His own father wasn’t exactly father of the year, of any year. That will take a while for him to get over, but he will. I can’t imagine a better, more caring father. He will be wonderful with you. He was with Emily, instinctively. Emily. She was your big sister, half –sister anyway. She was a sweet child, but she didn’t have a chance – she wasn’t created out of love like you were. You were created out of love, don’t ever think differently. You weren’t an accident or a mistake. Maybe you weren’t planned, but that only makes you a surprise – a wonderful, delightful, barely dreamed about surprise. I hope you look like your father. Well, maybe my nose, but he has the most beautiful eyes. They’re hazel but they change color with his moods. In meetings, when he’s bored or tired, they’re brown. When we made you they were almost bright green. That was probably the happiest I’ve ever seen him. He was close to that happy when we found out my cancer was in remission, but not quite. He has thick dark hair with just the right amount of wave to it, not out of control curl like mine most of the time. He’s tall and slim – no weight problems with him. I’m short, my darling, by the time you’re ready to be born I’ll probably be completely round. I hope . . . I hope your father gets to see that. I want him to be with me when you come, just as he was with me with you were started. I don’t know how long to keep your father’s apartment. I know, that’s not something I should be worrying about now, but there are things I have to have there. The couch. Your father has a leather couch. I’d have to say it’s his most important piece of furniture, I know it’s mine. Let’s face it, that couch it where you were created. I’d gone over there – I do that a lot – to talk to him about, okay about an old boyfriend of mine. I was tired, actually exhausted, and I needed . . . I needed your father to understand some things before I could rest. To be honest we really hadn’t finished talking before I fell asleep right there on that couch. Your father covered me with an afghan that he keeps on the back of the couch and let me sleep. He stayed there beside me, letting me sleep against him, probably for an hour or so. I’d gotten quite comfortable; I was draped all over your father when I woke up. He didn’t seem to mind. He could certainly have moved away if he had. Maybe if I had been more awake I would have made a different decision than I did, so I’m glad I wasn’t exactly alert. Your father didn’t pressure me at all. It was my decision. I woke up in your father’s arms and wanted to be there forever. I had to convince your father that I was sincere. Part of him believed me right away – you and I will talk about that when you get a little older, eventually I was able to convince all of him. So we started you there on that couch. We moved to his bed and continued to make you most of the night. I have to admit to you that I panicked the next morning. I slipped out before he woke up. That was stupid of me and hurt your father. That’s something I never want to do again. I love your father, I need him desperately. If it weren’t for you I don’t know if I could . . . if I could keep going. Our friends are worried about me. You have four ‘uncles’ that are ready to smother me with attention and more care than I know if I can handle. No, that’s not true, I’ve already been leaning on them and knowing that I can, has kept me sane while I worry about your father. I should try to get some sleep – you need me to be rested. I do plan to go into the office tomorrow. Walter will freak, but I do need to help them with the search. Anything I can do to bring him home to both of us, I’m going to do. You can count on me baby. You can always count on me and soon you can count on your father too. Goodnight little one. ***** Skinner looked up startled as his door burst open. “You son of a bitch!” “Agent Doggett.” He acknowledged the irate man, laying his glasses down on the desk. “You know! You’ve known all along!” “And what is it that I know, Agent Doggett?” “About Scully.” At that Skinner’s eyes narrowed and he rose from his desk. He approached his door and looked outside, then closed it firmly. “What about Agent Scully?” Doggett stared at him for a moment. “She’s expecting a baby. You know. She told me you did.” “I’m not at liberty – “ “You’ve let her go out in the field! That being that attacked you in Arizona attacked her too.” He stopped for a minute. “That’s why they kept her in the hospital so long.” He turned back to Skinner. “I had to cut that . . . that thing out of her flesh! How can you allow her to continue fieldwork? She reports to you. Don’t you feel a responsibility – “ “You have no idea how responsible I feel Agent Doggett. But her desire to keep this knowledge confidential was a top priority. I had to take that into consideration. She is an adult. I suggest you calm down so that we can discuss this rationally.” “She’s pregnant!” “I have not forgotten that for an instant Agent Doggett.” “But you’ve let her put herself in danger! Herself and an unborn child.” He did finally sink into a chair and Skinner sat behind his desk again. They both turned as the door opened, and watched as Agent Scully joined them. “I assume this meeting is about me.” She seated herself in from of Skinner’s desk. She was calm, cool, much more than either of them. Skinner’s eyes flicked down to her waist and back up. Her eyebrow went up but she held her tongue. “You told him?” “Hell no she didn’t tell me! I saw, she’s a small woman. Just how long did you think I was going to stay ignorant?” “I’m sitting right here Agent Doggett.” “You’re having a baby Agent Scully. You can’t seriously think that you can continue to do the work you do now.” “I am perfectly aware of my physical condition. To date I have been able to handle my duties – “ “You’ve been in the hospital, injured, twice since we began working together. That’s handling it?” Scully took a deep centering breath. Before she could speak, he was talking again. “I cannot, I will not take the responsibility of – “ “Fine, Agent Doggett.” She interrupted. “I didn’t ask for you. You were assigned. As ranking agent of the X-Files, I will be happy to accept your request for a transfer.” He gaped at her for a moment. Skinner’s hand came up to obscure the view of his mouth. That deflected Doggett’s attention. “Funny? You think this is funny?” “No Agent Doggett, I do not.” Skinner had his composure back. “However watching you attempting to order Agent Scully around is . . . interesting.” Doggett turned back to Scully. “You don’t think you can go out in the field now, without a partner?” “I’m sure the Bureau will assign someone to me.” “Someone? You’d accept – “ “That wouldn’t be a very good idea, would it Agent Doggett? Now you’re familiar with the kind of work Agent Scully does. An experienced agent, one familiar with that type of case would be much better. Don’t you agree?” “You’re both crazy! She’s going to have a baby. She can’t chase down perps or – “ “I’m pregnant Agent Doggett. I’m not dying. I can certainly continue working for the foreseeable future.” “It certainly didn’t stop you before.” Skinner muttered. Scully look at him actually caused him to flinch. “What? What are you talking about?” “It’s not important. John, don’t shut me down. I need access; I have to continue searching for Mulder. If I’m on restricted duty I can’t do that effectively. Give me a little more time.” “I have to report this to Kersh.” “No! Not Kersh. He doesn’t want us to find Mulder in the first place. Please, John, I’ll cut back. I’ll be careful. But don’t report this to Kersh.” Doggett stood. “I need some time. I . . . I need to think.” He headed for the door. He reached for the knob and stopped. He turned back, “Mrs. Spooky. Is that – “ He gestured toward her. Her expression turned to stone. “I apologize Agent Scully. That question was inappropriate and none of my business. “ He let himself out of the room. She sank back into the chair. “What do you think he’ll do?” “I don’t know.” Skinner replied, watching her. “You know him better than I do. He seems to be pretty by the book.” She sighed. “He’s right you know.” “What?” She looked up at him. “Every time you go out you put that baby in danger. I’m not even sure you should be doing autopsies right now. The fumes, the – “ “I get it Walter.” She covered her eyes with her hand. His words had brought back the terror of having that thing put in her body. She’d never been so frightened. “What would Mulder say?” “I beg your pardon?” “Would Mulder be okay with what you’re doing?” She rose from the chair then and headed for the door. He knew he’d crossed a line, but he’d also obviously hit a nerve. “Scully, regardless you won’t lose your access. Not as long as I have a position here. And let’s face it, those friends of ours probably have more access than either of us.” She glanced at him then and saw the smile of his face. He watched her shoulders relax slightly. “Let me know what you need Dana.” She nodded and let herself out of the office. ***** The End