AUTHOR: Kate Mulder TITLE: Perspectives III: Frankly, My Dear... E-MAIL: Enigma806@aol.com FEEDBACK: Is something of an addiction by now...and a good one at that. I always respond. It's due to feedback that this series continued beyond the original "Perspectives". Enigma806@aol.com. RATING: PG CATEGORY: Tara Scully POV, Vignette, implied MSR ARCHIVE: I'd be flattered. Anywhere the rest of the series is archived is okay; otherwise, just send me a note of your intentions and the link to your site. SUMMARY: Why let Bill have all the fun? Tara has her say. SPOILERS: "Requiem" DISCLAIMER: Not mine. Never said they were. No delusions of grandeur, but if Chris Carter wants to give me Frohike as a birthday present in August, I won't complain. Mulder or Krycek would do just as nicely. I make no money from this. 1013 and FOX own them too. All hail the blonde surfer guy. NOTES: Thank you to everyone for all your support on this series! This, of course, is the third in the "Perspectives" series. The first two are from Bill Scully's POV, I just decided to spice things up. Actually, this one comes close on the heels of Perspectives II in more ways than one. If you haven't read either of the first two, you'll be okay; it's not necessary to understand. If you would like to, e-mail me and I'd be glad to send you a copy. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Perspectives III: Frankly, My Dear... I don't give a damn. And that's not just finishing a quote from one of my all-time favorite movies. The movie, in fact, my name came from (surprise). At least they didn't call me Scarlett. I don't think I could be Scarlett Scully. No, Tara Scully works just fine, thank you very much. I really, truly do not care about the paternity of Dana's child. Not in the sense that matters. I mean, I hope it's not the kid of one of her enemies, but it's still a baby and it's still a miracle no matter what happens. Five months ago, my beloved (if somewhat tactfully challenged) husband went to Washington, D.C., knowing his sister was pregnant. And pretty sure he knew who the father was. And prepared to, in some age-old older brother code, kick Fox Mulder's ass and therefore defend his sister's honor. Not that there's really honor lost in this case. Despite their feelings for each other, Dana had never slept with Mulder. And, even if she had, I'm getting the impression that it would not have been anything Dana would have been coaxed into. Women know these things. Of course, you'd have to be blind to miss the looks going on between those two. Things are more complicated than just my sister-in-law being unmarried and pregnant, though--which, surprisingly, no one has said much of anything about. Probably because it's such a miracle that Dana got pregnant that everyone's willing to overlook the "unmarried" part. Mulder's gone. Gone as in missing as in kidnapped as in abducted or whatever the hell you wanna call it. Like Dana disappeared a few years back. But she was only gone for about three and a half months. It's been five now. We're all worried about him. Even Bill is, a little, I can tell. Though, of course, he would never admit to it. I look out the window. Dana and her boss are going back to Oregon for a follow-up of some sort, back to the place where Mulder disappeared. I don't think it's such a good idea, personally, but I'm just worried about Dana. She's going to be emotional about it anyway with as close as they are. And when you figure in the pregnancy hormones... I've managed to convince the two of them to stop in San Diego on their way, to stay here for the night. At the house. They at least need one night in a place they can trust. They're here. Matthew is thrilled just for the chance to see his aunt again. And I can't figure it out to save my life, but he loves new people around. So meeting Mr. Skinner is a thrill. I've noticed that he and Dana are on a first name basis now. At least outside the office. Not that I suspect anything romantic, I've just noticed that their friendship is deepening. That's all, I swear it. It's good to see Dana again. I loved Melissa, really I did...but I had no common ground with her. And I don't want to speak ill of the dead, but Missy was kind of flaky sometimes. It was just her free spirit, her personality. It made her unique. It also made her incomprehensible to me. Dana I can understand a lot better. She's so happy about this baby...I hate to see that tempered by her anguish over losing Mulder. Her best friend. And, I don't care what anyone says, she is in love with the man. Even if she doesn't realize it! She looks so beautiful--she really wears it well. Me, I just ballooned. I don't care what anyone says, I felt like a freaking beached whale half the time. At least they were kind enough to tell me I still looked good. But Dana--she really does look good. I'm envious. She rests a hand on the gentle swell of her stomach, as though calming the child growing inside of her. "We *will* find him," she vows. "I don't care if it takes the rest of my life." "Of course you'll find him," I assure her. Even Bill smiles warmly, and nods. For him, that's progress. Trust me. Matthew plays happily at our feet. And for one moment in time, it looks like everything's gonna be all right. 5/30/00 (begun and finished)