From: ephemeral@ephemeralfic.org
Date: 23 Nov 2001 02:36:47 -0000
Subject: Phoebe Greene\'s Last Laugh by FatCat
Source: direct

Reply To: FatCat926@msn.com


Title:     Phoebe Greene's Last Laugh

Author:    FatCat (FatCat926@msn.com)

Rating:    PG (some language and implied sex)

Category:  MSR, Vignette

Spoilers:  Thru season 6

Summary:   Phoebe Greene has the last laugh after all.

Disclaimer:  Thanks to CC, FOX, 1013, GA, DD, and all 
those others who actually own the show and produce the 
wonderful characterizations.  They own everything but the 
ideas squiggling around in my brain and flowing out on the 
Internet. 

Archive:  Just keep my name with it and let me know where 
to go visit.

Dedication:  To Frohike--the best beta out there.  I couldn't 
do it without you!  Thanks again! 


Dana Scully was running away from home.  She smiled as 
she finished stuffing her purse and made one more trip 
through her apartment to make sure everything was set.  Ten 
days!  Ten glorious days in Ireland.  No worries, no cares, 
just ten glorious days of freedom.  No X Files, no Skinner, no 
Diana, and NO Mulder to ruin her vacation.  Only her mother 
knew she was going to be out of the country.

She had been listening to the Guys spout their theories about 
how to disappear for so long she decided to test their ideas 
and had made all her arrangements.  She had gone to the 
airport in Philadelphia and purchased her ticket three weeks 
ago.  She used her cousin's credit card and had reimbursed 
her in cash.  She was flying out of New York's La Guardia 
Airport under her cousin's name.  She had her cousin, Mary 
Patricia's passport and identification--they looked so much 
alike, it would be impossible for anyone to tell from the 
pictures that she wasn't truly Mary Patricia Connor.

She had purchased all new clothes and cosmetics at the King 
of Prussia Mall outside Philadelphia, PA.  She made all her 
purchases in cash, and kept the totals to a maximum of 
$100.00 per store in order to maintain a low profile.  She had 
purchased new luggage from an outdoor vendor at a street 
fair and, after packing them with all her new purchases, had 
kept them in her trunk, gift wrapped as if they were a 
wedding present for a friend.

She had a relatively small amount of cash on her, but was 
carrying a large amount in traveler's checks--also purchased 
with her cousin's identification.  She had made the 
arrangements with the landlord of the cottage she rented over 
three months ago, also as Mary Patricia Connor.

She had arranged for two weeks off right after their office 
had been burned.  The stench of smoke lingered in her nose 
and her dreams and she thought she would go mad if she 
didn't get away.  The fact she already had her vacation 
planned was sheer serendipity.  Mulder had remained 
incommunicado for the first three days of her leave.  It 
helped her to not surrender to temptation and let him know 
where she was going.

She checked the lock on her gun box and hid it in its regular 
spot in the closet.  She picked up her purse and walked out 
the door.  Her reversible coat, neutral black slacks and white 
blouse were as nondescript as she could make them.  She 
wore no jewelry.  She carried only her purse and her workout 
bag.  She had a change of shoes and purse in the bag.  The 
shoes and purse she wore and the bag would be stored at the 
bus station.  She was on her way to New York.

She drove her car to her mother's house and parked it in her 
garage.  Her mother dropped her off at the bus line to the 
Greyhound Station.  She was determined to disappear 
without a trace.  She once again instructed her mother about 
what to tell Mulder.

"Yes, Dear.  I know what to say. 'Dana has decided to take a 
short vacation and will be back in 12 days.  She's left you a 
note, but thinks the cost of finding it will be too expensive for 
you.'  Isn't that what we rehearsed, Sweetie?"  Maggie Scully 
was intrigued by her daughter's need to be secretive, but was 
willing to wait until she returned to find out what this was all 
about.

"That's perfect, Mom.  I know this is hard on you, but I 
promise to tell you everything when I get back."

"Have fun, dear, wherever you're going."  Maggie hugged 
Dana tightly.

Scully's well-laid plans went like clockwork.  Within 14 
hours she was in Ireland and sitting in front of the fire in her 
cottage living room.  The quiet of the room was soothing.  
She could feel every cell in her body relax.  She knew she 
had done the right thing.  She decided she was not going to 
be Scully for the next 10 days.  She was Dana here.  She had 
left Scully in the States.

The days passed quietly and quickly.  Long walks, reading by 
the fire, new foods and new places made for a picture perfect 
vacation.  She realized that she had only thought of Mulder a 
few times each day.  Mulder and his relationship with Diana 
had destroyed her serenity for far too long.  She had needed 
to rebalance her life and this vacation was just what she 
desired.  She had even come to a few conclusions about her 
relationship with Fox Mulder, but wasn't sure how he would 
react to her decisions.  After she made up her mind she set it 
aside and continued to enjoy her vacation.

On day nine, she decided to do a little shopping and ventured 
into the small village near her cottage.  She had strolled down 
the streets, enjoying the atmosphere, shopping for a thank 
you gift for her mother.  She couldn't believe her ears when 
she heard a gasp and then a snort from behind her.

"Agent Scully?  What are you doing here in Ireland?"  Scully 
knew the voice before she turned around.  Just what she 
needed to ruin her vacation--Phoebe Greene.

She slowly turned and it was her turn to gasp.  The voice was 
the only thing familiar about Phoebe.  She was in a 
wheelchair, pushed by a handsome, strapping young male 
nurse.  She had always been slender, but now she appeared 
skeletal.  Her skin was yellow; her hair was almost non-
existent.  Her eyes no longer held the snapping wit nor her 
mouth the pitying sneer she had shown Scully when last they 
met.  It was clear that Phoebe was dying.

"I'm here on a short vacation, Ms. Greene.  I am staying at 
Shannon Cottage."  Dana was finally able to answer.  "What 
brings you to Ireland."

"Let's not dance around it, Dana, I came here to die."  Phoebe 
still liked to shock people.  "My grandparents left me 
Grenville Hall and there is a very fine facility for us modern-
day lepers near here.  I have AIDS."

"I'm very sorry to hear that, Phoebe," Dana said.  "I'm sure 
Mulder will be, too."

"Ever the proper lady, eh Dana?"  Phoebe jibed.  She seemed 
to shrink as she said, "Mulder isn't here is he?"

"No, I'm alone."  Dana was forced to admit.

"Good, good."  Phoebe seemed to take a moment to gather 
her resources and then added, "Would you like to join me in 
a cup of tea, Dana?  Roger here would be glad to push me 
over to the shop across the street and take a break.  Wouldn't 
you sweet Roger?"

The young man behind Phoebe made no comment and 
maintained a bland expression.

"Of course, dear Roger wouldn't say shit if he had a mouthful 
about anything I do.  For the wages he's paid, he damn well 
better keep his mouth shut."  Phoebe was becoming 
quarrelsome.  "I used to be able to attract a man with just a 
glance, now I have to pay a male nurse to be my only 
companion.  Well, are you going to join me or not?"  She 
snapped.

"I think I should be getting back, I have to start packing to 
return to the states and you know how you always seem to 
have more to take home than you brought."  Dana tried to 
tactfully decline.  Phoebe just stared at her.

"Oh, horseshit, Scully.  I need to talk to you.  It's about 
Mulder, indirectly."  Phoebe finally said.  A tone of pleading 
crept into her voice.  

"Don't you want to know when my disease started?  Don't 
you want to know if Mulder is in danger?"  Phoebe's harsh 
laughter broke off in a fit of coughing.  "Or are you afraid 
you'll get AIDS from breathing the same air as I do, just like 
my parents and ex-friends?"

Dana admitted to herself that she was curious as to Phoebe's 
reason behind the request.  She changed her mind and 
decided to join her.

"Lead on, Phoebe.  I'll meet you as soon as I pay for these."  

Moments later the two women sat across a cozy pot of tea 
and cakes and sized each other up.  Phoebe's conversation 
was a puzzle to Dana.  She made a small allusion to Mulder, 
but the bulk of the conversation seemed to be directed 
towards questions about Dana.

"Phoebe, why don't you tell me what this is all about."  Dana 
had spent as much of her vacation time on Phoebe Greene as 
she felt politely necessary.

Phoebe stared at her for a long moment and finally came to 
the question she really wanted answered.  "Is it true you are 
sterile?  You cannot have children?"

Dana sucked in her breath as the pain that question inflicted 
shot through her.  She quietly began to gather her things and 
started to rise. 

Phoebe's claw-like hand shot out and grabbed her arm.  
"Answer my question, Agent Scully.  Think of it as a dying 
woman's last request."

Dana sank down on the chair again, but did not release her 
grasp on her bags.  She stared into Phoebe's eyes for a 
moment trying to decide how to answer her.  She did not see 
the vindictiveness she had anticipated.  She did not see 
triumph or defeat.  There was a burning need in Phoebe for 
the truth and Scully found that she couldn't deny her this last 
wish.

"Yes, I am sterile.  Between my abduction and the cancer 
treatments I underwent, I am incapable of bearing a child.  If 
that answers your question, Ms. Greene, I'll bid you adieu."  
Dana rose to leave.  "I'll let Mulder know where to reach 
you."

"God no!"  Phoebe cackled.  "Knowing that piteous fool like 
I do, he'll just think up some reason my illness is his fault.  
Don't speak a word of our meeting to Mulder, if you know 
what's good for him."

Dana nodded her head and took one step away.

"One more question, Dana."  Phoebe's grasp tightened again, 
turning Dana to look directly in her eyes.  "Do you want 
children?"

The unanswered question was evident between the two 
women.  Did she want Mulder's children?  Tears gathered in 
Dana's eyes, but did not fall.

"Yes."  was all she could answer.  She shook off Phoebe's 
hand and turned to walk away, not looking back.

Dana made her way back to the cottage.  She still noticed the 
bright day and the beautiful countryside, but the enjoyment 
of the day had been diminished by her unexpected encounter 
with Phoebe.  She had not said Mulder was not at risk 
outright, but Dana Scully knew his health history and had 
seen his blood work for the last several years.  If he had been 
exposed to AIDS by Phoebe, it would be evident by now.

Dana remembered how she had felt when she thought she 
was going to die.  She had been surrounded by her loving 
family and friends but had still felt so alone and frightened at 
times.  Phoebe had no one but a paid companion as her 
support system.  And, thought Dana, Phoebe being Phoebe, 
her companion probably only put up with her because she 
was paying him well.  As evening fell, Dana sat on the front 
porch and enjoyed the sunset.  The lack of metropolitan 
sprawl encouraged an ink black sky with stars scattered like 
diamonds across it.  

Dana prayed a short prayer for Phoebe.  She had hated the 
woman when she first met her, and was ashamed now of her 
previous thoughts.  She was sure that Phoebe was no more 
lovable now than she had been years ago, but Dana knew it 
was not her place to judge others.  God would be the ultimate 
judge of Phoebe Greene.  Dana prayed for Phoebe, asking the 
Lord to ease her heart and allow her peace.  It probably was 
futile, but she felt it was needed.

The next day passed quickly and before she knew it she was 
landing in New York.  She retraced her route home, stopping 
to pick up her bag at the bus station but taking a cab back to 
her Mother's for her car.  She spent the night with her mother, 
catching up about her wonderful vacation.  For some reason 
she discussed Phoebe with her mother.

"Dana, it's obvious she has regrets about her life and wanted 
to know what choices you had made differently.  I know she's 
probably as wretched a person as you remember her, but you 
always were a soft touch for the sick and wounded.  If her 
isolation bothers you so much, you should send her a card.  If 
she rebuffs your effort, you don't have to try again."

"Thanks Mom, that's what my heart was telling me I should 
do.  No one should die without support."  Dana hugged her 
mother and left for home.

She hadn't been home for fifteen minutes when she heard 
Mulder's knock on her door.  She really wasn't up to facing 
him right now, but decided he wouldn't give up until she 
responded.

"What do you want, Mulder?" she asked as soon as she 
opened the door.  She did not step aside to allow him 
entrance.

"Scully, where have you been?"  Mulder looked like hell.  He 
looked as if he hadn't slept in the entire twelve days she had 
been gone.  He stormed by her and spun to face her again.  
"What the hell were you thinking?  Taking off like that.  No 
one could find you.  No one, not even your mother knew 
where you were.  The guys were worried sick!  They haven't 
slept any more than I have.  And what was that bull about a 
note.  There was no note, Scully."  He looked as if he wanted 
to shake her.

Dana took a deep breath, trying to decide if she wanted to get 
into this now.  She sighed through pursed lips and 
straightened her shoulders.

"Why don't you come in, Agent Mulder?  And hello to you, 
too.  It's good to see you after so many days."  Her eyebrow 
rose with each sarcastic remark.

"Scully. . ."

Dana's hand shot up, palm facing him, to stop him.  "What 
time is it Mulder?"

Mulder gave her a puzzled glance but answered her.  "It's 
9:30 a.m., Scully."

"Thank you.  And what day is it?"  Dana continued.

"It's Saturday, but what does that have to do with anything, 
Scully?"

"By your own admission, it's Saturday at 9:30 a.m. on the last 
weekend of my vacation.  I am on my own time and in my 
own home.  My name is Dana Scully.  At 8:00 a.m. on 
Monday, I will once again be Agent Dana Scully.  Right 
now, on my own time, in my own house I am Dana to my 
friends and to myself.  If you wish to be counted as one of 
my friends I suggest you call me Dana.  If you find this too 
difficult, or unacceptable, you may leave and we will discuss 
anything you feel you need to discuss on Monday morning.  
After 8:00 a.m., you may call me Scully, or Agent Scully or 
Special Agent Dr. Dana Scully then.  But right now, I am 
Dana.  Do you understand, Mulder?"

Mulder's look of righteous indignation melted from his face.  
Puzzlement replaced it.  "Okay, Sc. . .Dana."

"Thank you.  Would you like a cup of tea while we talk, 
Mulder?  I brought back some fine Irish tea that I think you 
will enjoy."  Dana moved toward the kitchen to start the 
kettle.

"Yeah, I could use something to drink.  I'll just call the guys 
and let them know you're okay while you're making it."

Dana smiled to herself as soon as her back was to Mulder.  
That went easier than she had expected.  He must be even 
more tired than he looked.  She thawed a half loaf of frozen 
bread and made up several peanut butter and jelly sandwiches 
to go with the tea. She wasn't hungry, but knew Mulder 
probably was.  He was going to need his strength after he 
heard what she had to say.  She heard his conversation with 
the Gunmen end just as she had everything ready.

"Mulder, could you move the table away from the couch a 
little.  Thanks."  Dana put the tray down and sat down on the 
end of the couch to pour.  Mulder was standing in the exact 
same spot she had left him several minutes ago.

"Why don't you join me, Mulder.  I thought you might like a 
sandwich to go with your tea.  I just got home, so I don't have 
much to offer.  I hope you like PB&J."  Scully smiled at 
Mulder as she offered him his mug of tea after he sat down in 
the armchair across from her.

They were quiet for several minutes as Dana sipped her tea 
and watched Mulder gulp his and polish off the entire plate of 
sandwiches.

She refilled his mug again and asked "Better?"

He nodded his head and sipped his tea.  She could feel his 
eyes on her, trying to figure out what was happening.  Finally 
he couldn't take the quiet any longer.

"Scu. . .Dana, what did you mean about leaving me a note?  I 
looked everywhere and couldn't find one.  It made me worry 
even more.  I thought it was a clue."

"It was a clue, Mulder.  If you had done what you were 
supposed to do you would have found it."  Scully smiled 
secretively.

"What do you mean what I was supposed to do?"  Mulder 
fairly growled.  "I tore up God's half acre trying to find you.  
There was no note.  I checked your apartment, our office, 
everywhere.  I was sure someone had taken you again and I 
was ready to call Skinner, until I called your mother and she 
gave me that enigmatic message.  'Dana has decided to take a 
short vacation and will be back in 12 days.  She's left you a 
note, but thinks the cost of finding it will be too expensive for 
you.'  I finally asked the guys for help."  Mulder shuddered 
thinking of the past several days.

"You didn't leave a trace.  No credit cards, no plane 
reservations, no bank transactions, and no witnesses.  Your 
clothes and luggage were all present and accounted for as far 
as I could tell.  I want you to know, it was hard keeping 
Frohike out of your lingerie drawers."  Mulder was glad to 
see the smile that barely lifted the ends of her luscious lips.  

"If you wanted to disappear, you certainly did it.  What were 
you thinking?"  This last came out louder as his emotions 
suddenly flared again.

"Mulder, I had to get away.  I followed procedure.  I took my 
two week vacation request to Skinner with all the proper 
paperwork and on a timely basis.  I needed some time to 
think and I knew I couldn't do it if I stayed home."

"Couldn't you have done your thinking where I could reach 
you by phone, D...D..Dana?" he stuttered.

"No, Mulder.  I needed time completely alone to work out a 
few things that had been bothering me.  I'm sorry if that was 
hard for you, but staying would have been harder for me, and 
you in the long run.  Besides, you were totally 
incommunicado for three days before I even left.  What was I 
supposed to do, sit on my couch and wait until you decided 
you wanted to talk to me?  It doesn't work like that anymore, 
Mulder."  Scully's temper was rising, but she fought it to stay 
in control.  She had thought this out calmly and rationally 
and wanted their conversation to be the same.

Mulder sipped his cooling tea some more, thinking about 
what she said.

"Alright.  Where's the note?" he asked as he set aside his 
mug.

Dana grinned and replied, "I left you a note explaining 
everything, including my approximate location, in the file 
folder on top of your desk at home containing the past due 
expense reports you promised to finish and turn in to Skinner 
over three weeks ago.  All you had to do was catch up on that 
one little piece of paperwork and your questions would have 
been answered."

Mulder's eye opened wide as she spoke.  When she was done 
he burst out laughing.  You mean, if I had done my 
paperwork for Skinner, I could have avoided the twelve days 
of hell I've gone through?"

"Yes."  

Mulder threw back his head and laughed until tears rolled 
down his face.  Slowly the laughter died, but the tears 
continued to build until he was sobbing into his hands as if he 
would never stop.

"Mulder, come here."  Dana opened her arms to him and he 
stumbled from the armchair to the couch to fall into her arms.  
"Mulder, I'm so sorry you didn't get my clues.  I was certain 
you would catch the words 'expense' and 'cost' and know 
exactly where to look."  Dana became alarmed by the 
heartbreaking sobs from Mulder.  Just when it seemed as if 
they couldn't grow deeper, he finally began to calm down.

"Don't cry, my darling.  I'm so sorry you were worried.  I 
wanted to take a vacation, not scare you to death."  Scully 
slowly stroked Mulder's hair as she gently rocked him in her 
arms.  She was surprised to feel his body relax into sleep.  
She pushed him over and laid him out on the couch as best 
she could.  His arms tightened around her and she was pulled 
down with him.  She couldn't get up.  She finally relaxed into 
his embrace and stretched out on top of him.  She kicked off 
her shoes and toed off his, allowing them to fall to the floor 
with a loud kerthunk.  She reached up and pulled the afghan 
on the back of the couch down on them and slipped toward 
sleep folded in his arms.

His breathing had the soft hitching sound of a child after a 
long cry.  Her last thought before sleep was to pray that she 
had enough strength to follow through on her chosen course 
of action.  She could win all or lose everything within the 
next few hours.  It all depended on Mulder.

Dana woke several hours later with the feeling someone was 
watching her.  She rubbed her check against Mulder's chest 
and smiled.

"How long have you been awake, Mulder?" her voice was 
like spun sugar to him.

"Not too long.  I was trying to remember what happened--
how we fell asleep on the couch together.  I can't believe my 
memories, Scully."

"Obviously not, Mulder."  Dana said as she climbed off him.  
"You can't even remember to call me Dana in my own 
home."

"On you own time--that's right.  Well, if I remember that part 
right, do I have the part about you stroking my hair as I 
bawled like a baby right?"  Mulder quietly asked.

"You needed comfort, Mulder.  I was sorry I had inflicted so 
much pain on you with my simple plan."

"You called me 'your darling'."  Mulder looked at her from 
under his lashes.

'God, does he know how sexy he is when he does that?' Dana 
thought before answering.  "Yes, I did."

"Why?" was all he could get out.

Dana sighed.  "Mulder, I need to go to the bathroom.  I'll be 
right back."  She stood and turned to leave the room.

Mulder grabbed her wrist lightly.  "Don't run away from this, 
Dana!"  

She stopped and looked directly into his eyes.  "Don't worry, 
Mulder.  I won't be the one to run away this time.  This is a 
simple need to go to the bathroom."

"Well, if you insist."  Mulder grinned.

By the time Dana came back Mulder had folded the afghan 
and placed it back on the couch.  He gathered up their dishes 
and rinsed them in the kitchen.  He moved back to the living 
room and stood facing her.

"What did you mean, you won't be the one to run this time, 
Dana?"  Mulder asked.

"Please, sit down, Mulder."  Scully moved to the couch 
again.  "I want you to know I didn't mean to scare you.  I 
gave that clue to my mother just so that you wouldn't worry.  
I had no idea you wouldn't pick up on it.  I want to apologize 
for scaring you and I will apologize to the guys, too.  I won't, 
however, apologize for taking my vacation."

Mulder looked at her for a moment and then said, "Apology 
accepted.  Why did you feel you needed to get away so 
completely, Sc. . .Dana?"

"I'll get to that, but let me tell you this in my own way, 
okay?"  She closed her eyes for a moment, gathering her 
strength for the storm to come.

"Mulder, I know about you and Diana."  Mulder opened his 
mouth to speak, but Dana's next words stopped him.  "I know 
because I had the guys check her out.  I won't say I'm not hurt 
by your omission of facts, but I had figured you were closer 
than you admitted the first time I saw you two together.  But 
that's neither here nor there.  Your personal life is your 
personal life, as is mine."  Scully took a deep breath and 
continued.  "I needed to get away to gain some perspective 
on my life.  I realized I have forsaken everything in pursuit of 
the truth of the X Files.  I have lost contact with all my 
friends, I have lost contact with my relatives, with the 
exception of my mother, and I have lost contact with me.  I 
needed the time away to get back in touch with me, Dana 
Scully.  I needed to step back and make sure I was on the 
right path."

"Is this where you tell me about asking for a transfer, 
Scully?"  Mulder growled.

"No, not at all.  The one fact that was very clear from the 
beginning was that I wanted to continue working with you on 
the X Files.  I enjoy our work.  I gain a great deal of personal 
satisfaction from much of our work.  No matter how 
frustrating or painful chasing the truth can be, I don't want to 
give it up.  I don't want to ask for a transfer, but whether you 
choose to keep me as a partner, now that Diana is back, is up 
to you."

"Dana, you know I want you as my partner.  No one can 
replace you.  You must know that."

Scully tilted her head and stared at Mulder.  "I didn't know 
that, Mulder, but thank you for telling me."

"Scully. . ."  Mulder began.

"Dana, please."  

"Scully, Dana, what does it matter?  You know who I'm 
talking to!"  Mulder's frustration level was rising.

"It matters a great deal to me Mulder.  You see, I call you 
Mulder because you asked me to.  You apparently have a 
problem allowing me the privilege of using your first name, 
so I have honored your request and called you Mulder for 
years.  I cannot tell you how much it hurt me to know that 
Agent Fowley was close enough to you personally to call you 
Fox.  The denial of that small privilege is what made me start 
to question a great many things about my life."

"I have been so involved with the X Files that I have 
completely lost touch with Dana--the woman that I was 
before I began working with you.  Oh, I know I can never go 
back to being as green or unaware of the truth as I was prior 
to 1993, but I can try to regain that part of my life I have 
abandoned.  I am a living, breathing woman with an 
absorbing job.  I am not a special agent or a doctor or even a 
partner who happens to be a woman.  I am all of the above, 
but I have been working so hard to make it in a man's world 
that I forgot that I needed to put the same effort into being a 
woman.  And that has to stop."

"I got the idea for a vacation months ago, and in fact booked 
the cottage in Ireland and almost canceled the reservation 
several times.  But after recent events, I knew I had to keep 
my reservation.  I needed time to come to grips with 
everything that has been happening in my life."

"What did you decide, Dana?"  Mulder asked.  His eyes 
betrayed his fears even if his voice was calm and even.

"I decided that Dana Scully was my new priority.  Oh, I 
certainly will give my all to my job.  You know me Mulder; I 
can't give less than 110%.  But from now on, I'm going to 
take time for me.  That's why the new rule about my name.  
When we're here in DC, between 8:00 a.m. and quitting time, 
whatever that may be, I will be Scully.  After work and on 
the weekends, I am Dana, and Dana wants a life."

"I need to develop a social life again, Mulder.  I cannot 
ignore the needs I feel any longer."

"Are we talking about sex here, Ms. Scully?"  Mulder's 
feelings of unease with the direction the conversation was 
taking were displayed by his slide into humor.

"Perhaps, perhaps not.  I do feel the need for male 
companionship, but I have never been able to separate sex 
and love, so I'm not about to try that again.  Ed Jerse was 
proof enough of that I need a life, Mulder.  I want to feel 
beautiful again.  I want to be desired as a woman.  I want to 
be with someone who is able to see me as the woman he 
could love."  All the while she talked, Mulder's face took on 
the stoic, blank expression he used for his frequent visits to 
AD Skinner's office.

"While I was in Ireland, I also realized something else, 
Mulder.  Something that will be of interest to you, I hope.  
When I thought about such a relationship, it was always your 
face that I saw in my mind.  I realized that I love you, am in 
love with you and have been for some time.  The fear of 
being separated by our enemies has been a major reason I hid 
the truth from myself for so long.  My love wasn't easy for 
me to admit to myself--let alone to you, especially with your 
renewed relationship with Diana in the picture."

"Scully. . ."  Mulder began.

"Please, let me finish.  If you don't return my feelings, I'll 
understand.  It will be hard, but I can live with it.  I cannot 
live with losing you as my partner over this.  Our 
professional relationship has been one of the most satisfying 
of my entire life.  I wouldn't want to work with anyone else 
but you, Mulder."

Dana hesitated before going on.  "But you must understand.  
I can't be the odd man out.  If you want to include Diana on 
the X Files, I'll bow out now.  I cannot work with someone I 
can't trust.  If you are in love with her, I can accept it, even 
though I can't understand it.  As long as your personal 
relationship with her does not affect our work, I could bear it.  
It would be the same with any other woman you fell in love 
with.  Can you understand this?"  Mulder's silence made her 
heart sink.  She was sure he was going to bolt at any moment.

Suddenly he asked, "Dana, you love me?  You're in love with 
me?"  Mulder's voice was full of emotion.

"Yes, Mulder, I am."

"Why?"

"Why what, Mulder?"

"Why do you love me?  Scul. . .Dana, I'm so--you're so. . . 
Dana, you've stolen the words."  Mulder let his actions speak 
for him.  He stood and pulled Dana into his arms slowly 
lowering his lips to hers.  Their kiss at first was tentative, but 
quickly deepened and became passionate.  They slowly sank 
back down to the couch, still kissing.  Finally the need for 
oxygen broke off the kiss.

"Dana, I can't believe you didn't realize I love you! I've loved 
you for years."  Mulder kissed her again.

"I asked you to call me Mulder because I didn't want to lose 
myself in you.  Your voice speaking my name kept me at a 
state of arousal that was clouding my ability to function.  I 
knew I was never going to quit wanting you and that I had 
fallen in love with you.  By that time we were comfortable 
with Scully and Mulder and I couldn't think of a way to ask 
you to call me Fox without letting you know how much I 
cared.  I was afraid of rejection from you as much as I was 
afraid of them taking you away from me again."  

Mulder punctuated his words with kisses to her face and 
neck.  "I love you Special Agent Doctor Dana Scully.  And I 
want to be that man to court you.  I want to be the one, Dana, 
please say yes."

"Yes, Mulder?  Yes to what exactly?" she grinned. 

"Say yes to a new beginning.  Yes to dinner and a movie 
tonight?  Will you go out with me tonight, Dana?"

"I would love to go out with you, Mulder, but you must 
realize that we cannot allow the change in our relationship to 
be blatant.  We don't want to wave a red flag in front of our 
enemies.  We need to maintain our professional lives and our 
personal lives separately."  Scully warned.

"They've been making bets on the exact nature of our 
relationship for years around work.  We can keep them 
guessing.  We can work this out as we go.  Does 7:30 sound 
okay for you, Dana?"  Mulder grinned.

"That sounds great Mul. . .Fox."  Scully's chin rose in 
defiance as she spoke his name, then she grinned.  "I don't 
know Mulder, I think this 'Fox' thing is going to take some 
getting used to."  She cupped his face between her hands and 
pulled him down for a kiss.  "Until tonight."

The next day they decided that their date was a rousing 
success.  Neither wanted to jump into a physical relationship.  
They wanted to experience some of the normal steps of love.  
They both knew where they were going, and neither wanted 
to rush.  The anticipation of their first time together was part 
of the fun.

They laid some ground rules to keep them out of trouble at 
work.  At first Dana had suggested no touching at work, but 
Mulder was quick to point out that that would be the biggest 
clue of all that their relationship had changed.  He had always 
touched her and crowded her personal space, and she had 
always allowed it.  They changed that one to no romance at 
work.  No words of love, no covert glances unless they were 
alone in their office, and especially no stolen kisses on the 
premises of the Hoover building or on duty in the field.  They 
decided to let the rest take care of itself. 

They began socializing with others at work, attending 
retirement parties and showers, together, but still not blatant 
about their new relationship.  They couldn't make the 
commitment to join in several sports leagues that their fellow 
agents enjoyed, but did sign up to be on the substitute list and 
played pool, went bowling, and in the spring, played softball 
when they were available.  

Mulder was surprised at how these simple changes in their 
lives affected their relationship with their coworkers 
drastically.  The 'Spooky' nickname he used to hate was now 
more a term of respect for his abilities.  His friendship 
outside of work with some of the other agents had led them 
to ask for his help occasionally.  His spooky ability to use his 
eidetic memory and intuition to problem solve, coupled with 
his lack of desire for the limelight, opened the eyes of many 
of his fellow workers.

Scully was surprised at how many of her fellow agents had 
been put off by her abilities--especially the ability to stay 
cool under stress.  When they witnessed first-hand what a 
warm and funny woman she was under her professional 
persona most were amazed.  Friendships blossomed for the 
FBI's two most unwanted.

As the days, then weeks went by the speculation over their 
relationship changed from one of derision to one of genuine 
support.  Their fellow agents wanted to see them happy 
together.  Their cases were just as strange, their solve rate 
still the highest in the Bureau, but the animosity of their 
fellow agents was a thing of the past.

Mulder and Dana were deeply in love and certain that 
nothing could shake their relationship again.  They were 
almost ready to take their romance to the next level when 
their world, as they knew it, ceased to exist.

It began so quietly.  A phone message was left on Dana's 
home machine from an attorney.  He requested her presence 
at his office for the reading of the will of one Phoebe Greene 
on Monday, March 30, 3:30pm.  Please feel free to bring 
your own representative.  Let us know if you cannot attend, 
blah, blah, blah.

Dana had played the message as soon as she and Mulder 
came through the door on Friday night.  His shocked look 
matched the look of puzzlement on her face.  Why would she 
have to be at the reading of Phoebe's will?

"Phoebe's dead?  Scully, you don't seem surprised by this.  
Did you know she was sick?"  Mulder questioned. 

"Yes, actually, I did.  I saw her when I was in Ireland.  She 
asked me not to tell you.  Mulder, you better sit down."  
Scully carefully guided Mulder to the couch.  This was going 
to be harder on him than she expected.

"She had moved to the estate that her grandparents left her.  
It wasn't too far from the cottage I rented when I was there.  
Mulder, she had AIDS.  Her parents didn't want her around 
so she moved there to be near a private clinic that specialized 
in AIDS research.  I'm surprised she lived this long."  Dana's 
voice caressed him as did her arms.  She wanted to help him 
any way she could.

"Why didn't you tell me?  She was a part of my life and I had 
a right to know she was dying.  Why didn't you let me know 
what was happening."  Mulder couldn't understand Dana's 
actions.

"She specifically told me not to tell you when we talked in 
Ireland.  I believe in her own strange way, she was trying to 
be kind."  Scully tried to explain.

"Kind?  Finding out like this is so much more kind?"  Mulder 
didn't know who he was more irritated with, Phoebe or Dana, 
but the anger ate at his stomach and boiled in his brain.

"Why would she have you at the reading of her will?"  
Mulder finally questioned.

"I don't know.  Why don't you call your machine and see if 
there is a message for you from the lawyer, too.  I could be 
just an afterthought."

Mulder quickly dialed his home machine and confirmed that 
there was a similar message left for him.  They discussed 
Phoebe for a few more minutes and then agreed to drop the 
subject.  Until Monday when they met with the lawyer, there 
was no way to find out more.

The weekend passed quietly for both of them.  They had been 
gone for two weeks and both felt the need for some down 
time.  They ate dinner together then parted.  Both wanted to 
regroup and prepare for the workweek ahead.  Mulder needed 
time to accept Phoebe's death.  They called each other several 
times that weekend, almost decided to meet, but fatigue and 
an underlying feeling of dread kept them apart.

On Monday they drove to the lawyer's together.  The wait in 
the outer office seemed to be never-ending, but was in fact 
only about ten minutes.  They weren't surprised to find 
themselves in the offices of one of the top law firms in DC.  
Only the best for Ms. Greene, even in death.

"Ms. Scully, Mr. Mulder, sorry to keep you waiting.  My 
name is Arthur Jamison.  Won't you step into my office?  Did 
either of you bring your own counselor?"

"No, we didn't see the need to involve a private counselor 
until we knew more about this." Mulder spoke for them both.

"I see.  Perhaps you would like to postpone this until you 
both have secured private counsel."  Arthur Jamison was 
smooth and covering all bases for his firm.

"Mr. Jamison, we need to get back to work.  Could we please 
get to the point here?  Agent Mulder and I are educated 
adults.  We'll be able to decide if we need legal 
representation after we know what this is about."  Dana 
Scully was a formidable woman.  

Arthur Jamison reassessed his opinion of her once again.  He 
had expected someone more middle-aged and motherly when 
he had been contacted by Ms. Greene.  The beautiful, petite 
redhead was not at all what he had expected.  To find out she 
was strong-willed and intelligent as well was a pleasant 
surprise.  Perhaps everything would turn out for the best.  He 
turned his gaze to Agent Mulder.

He was also a surprise.  This man did not appear to be the 
emotional deadbeat he had expected.  His devotion and 
deference to Agent Scully was obvious.  His extreme good 
looks fit the image he had drawn, but he was also a man of no 
little intelligence.  The whole affair was becoming more and 
more interesting.

"Very well, let's begin."  He buzzed his secretary and 
requested that she and the witnesses meet them in the small 
conference room.  "If you will follow me."

Mulder and Scully moved as one to follow him from the 
room.  He held back outside the door and watched them 
move together down the hall to the room indicated. 'More 
and more interesting,' he thought.

For the next few minutes the introductions and preliminaries 
sharpened Mulder & Dana's sense of impending disaster.  As 
the lawyer read the will, Phoebe's last wishes and revelations 
became more and more shocking.  When he was done the 
two agents looked at each other in disbelief.

"Let me get this straight.  I have a six-month-old 
granddaughter?  How can I have a granddaughter when I 
didn't even know I had a child?"  Mulder was beginning to 
hyperventilate.  "How could I have a child and not know it?"  
He looked to Scully for help understanding what had been 
said.  "How does. . .did she know it was mine?" he 
whispered.

Jamison motioned for his secretary to pass a file to Mulder.  
It contained a large photograph of a young woman--a woman 
who could be none other than Fox Mulder's daughter.  The 
thick chocolate-brown hair and the hazel eyes were obvious, 
but the lips and the nose were an exact copy of Mulder's.  
Mulder shoved the file towards Scully.  She studied the 
photograph and then moved on to the paperwork enclosed.  It 
was a detailed report identifying the paternity and maternity 
of the young woman in question prepared by one of 
England's most prestigious hospitals.

"It looks as if it's true, Mulder."  Dana was able to tell him.  
"I'd want to get another opinion, but it looks almost as if 
there is little room for error with these tests.  We'll need to 
cross check that this is indeed your DNA, but. . ."

"But you believe it?"  Mulder looked again to Arthur 
Jamison.  "Where is she?  What's her name?  Why isn't she 
here?"

"Mr. Mulder, obviously this is a shock to you.  I had no idea 
you were unaware of your child," he hesitated.  Damn 
Phoebe Greene anyway.  "I'm sorry to have to bring you 
more shocking news, but I'm afraid you daughter is dead."

"What?"  Gasped Mulder and Dana simultaneously.

"I have a tape that will best give you all the information you 
need.  Miss Waters, if you please."  The voice of Phoebe 
Greene filled the room.

"Well, aren't we a cozy group--Fox, Dana, and the sharks.  
Nice of you all to join me.  I'm sure you're wondering why I 
didn't do a video, aren't you, Fox?  Well, the truth is I am just 
vain enough to want you to remember me as I was last you 
saw me, not this empty shell that betrays me on a daily basis.  
I'm not long for this world, so I want to spread as much cheer 
as I can before I die."

"And I have died if you are listening to this.  AIDS, how 
fitting, eh Fox?  My evil, promiscuous ways finally did me 
in, so to speak.  Relax Mulder, you have nothing to fear.  I 
know who I got this from and the fool is dead.  He came 
around long after you, so who he was is none of your 
business."  The sound of the tape stopping and starting was 
evident.

"Don't worry Mulder.  This tape is the real thing.  I'm not 
very strong now and can only speak for a short time.  I'm 
taping this over a several day period, so if any of your 
paranoid little friends want to check, make them aware of 
that."

"I suspect you want to know about our daughter.  Did you 
really think I would let you know that I was pregnant, Fox?  I 
had found out two weeks before the little scene I set up to 
drive you away.  You were so sweet, such a wonderful lover.  
God, you would have wanted to do the right thing and I 
couldn't bear being married so young.  I think. . .I would like 
to believe we could have been happy if I hadn't buggered it 
up.  But I did--I ran.  Straight back to Ireland to Gram and 
Gramps.  I had our daughter prematurely.  There wasn't a 
decent hospital in the area and she suffered oxygen 
deprivation.  She looked just like you, Fox, so beautiful, so 
sweet.  I couldn't stand to be near her.  Everything a duplicate 
of you except for her mind.  As quick and sharp as your mind 
was hers was empty and slow.  I--I was so guilty.  I couldn't 
tell you how I had lied to you and cheated you and then 
delivered damaged goods.  I know it's shallow and vain and 
horrible, but that just about sums up my entire life."

"My grandparents raised her--Brenna was her name.  Brenna 
Vixen Mulder.  I made no effort to hide her paternity from 
my family or from her.  She loved you.  She had a picture of 
you, Fox, and she kissed it each night before bed, just as she 
kissed mine.  God bless my Grandmother's soul."

"Even as slow as she was she eventually developed into a 
beautiful young woman and rebelled.  I had come home to 
Ireland to die and she didn't want me there.  My grandparents 
had since died and she had been living like a fairy princess 
until the cruel mother resurfaced.  She ran away with a gypsy 
boy that wanted her body and didn't care that she was slow, 
until the family realized there would be no money settled on 
her and she was worthless as a worker."

"They dumped her back on my steps seven months pregnant.  
She delivered a beautiful baby girl--I named her Samantha 
Anne Mulder.  She could have been Brenna's twin, except for 
the spark of intelligence in her eyes from the day she was 
born."  Again the tape stopped but began again right away.

"Brenna was a good mother to Sammy, but she would forget 
her.  I had to hire two nannies.  One for days and one for 
nights.  Brenna had your sleep patterns, Fox and would get 
up in the middle of the night to play with Samantha and walk 
away when distracted."

"I thought she had wandered outside to play one morning but 
found out differently later.  Her gypsy came to claim her.  He 
was truly in love, the piteous young fool.  They left the baby, 
because she was only a girl, and ran away in the night."  
Phoebe's voice grew thick with what they could only imagine 
as tears.

"The constable came around late in the day to let me know 
that they had been killed in a lorry accident.  Once again I 
was stuck with an unwanted child, no help, and this time with 
death on the horizon.  I bet you want to know how I settled 
all this, don't you Fox?  How about you Dana?  Have you 
figured it out yet?"

"My answer almost fell into my lap.  I had been feeling 
stronger and wanted to get out.  I had Roger take me into 
town to pick up a few things for Samantha.  I hadn't involved 
myself in Brenna's life, but for some reason this little one 
grabbed my attention and my heart.  Who did I run into?  
Have you told him yet, Dana?  Right there in my back yard 
was the answer to my prayers.  Dana Scully."  Phoebe 
coughed and took a drink before going on.

"Dana you were too easy.  I found out everything I needed to 
know in a matter of minutes.  And that brings us to today.  I 
have made arrangements to give legal custody of Samantha 
Ann Mulder to Dana Scully with two conditions--one that she 
marry Fox Mulder, the child's grandfather within a year of 
my will's probate date; and two--that she quits the FBI. Dana, 
I know how dangerous a position in law enforcement can be.  
I want Sammy to grow up with at least one parent, and I don't 
feel your career with the FBI guarantees a long life."

"If these condition aren't met, Sammy will become a ward of 
the London court.  I can and will do this.  Samantha is 
actually Lady Samantha to all you that didn't know.  She will 
inherit my title and all my properties.  Upon the death of my 
parents her wealth and title will increase.  If the conditions of 
my will are met, all disposable income from my estate will be 
transferred to the happily married couple one year after their 
wedding date and they will be free to adopt Samantha and 
raise her as their daughter.  Grenville Hall and all estates 
inherited from my parents are to be held in trust until 
Samantha is twenty-one and then title will pass to her."

"Here's you chance, Dana, are you woman enough to take 
what you want?"

"And Fox.  I know you're furious with me for not letting you 
get to know Brenna.  I did try to tell you, you know.  It was 
on the tape I left you after our little escapade with Cecil 
L'Ively.  When I didn't hear from you right away, I knew you 
had not listened to it.  I cannot say I wasn't glad.  I didn't 
want to face you then and I am glad I don't have to face you 
now."

"Oh, and Fox. . .don't try to break my will.  In order for you 
to claim Samantha without marrying Dana, you would have 
to become a legal resident of England and that would take 
years and would mean you'd have to give up your precious X 
Files.  Even then, my old money, title, and fleet of barristers 
would prevent your winning for many years, if ever.  Is this 
such a terrible punishment, Fox?  I know you love Dana.  
Have you managed to tell her yet?  Sammy is. . .everything 
one could want in a child.  Don't hate her because of me, Fox.  
Give her a chance."  The tape ran silently for a moment.

"Dana, I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your 
many cards and letters.  You don't know how you're your 
little kindnesses meant to me.  I'm not much one for 
sentimentality, but I wanted you to know I'm glad you will be 
raising my little Sammy.  I can't think of anyone I would 
rather have at the job.  Please, don't make her hate me.  
Bugger!  Enough of this!"

"There you two have it.  This will either give you great joy or 
great anguish.  I can't help hope that happiness wins out!  
Raise a pint to me, Fox, Dana!  I'm off!  Ta!"

The silence at the end of the tape was broken only by the 
click of the off button on the recorder.

Arthur Jamison cleared his throat and looked to the stunned 
couple before him.  They were holding hands and staring into 
each other's eyes.

'Curiouser and curiouser,' thought Jamison.  'These two look 
like they've been down the rabbit hole a time or two.  They 
aren't even speaking to each other, but I get the feeling 
they're making up their minds even as we sit here.  I wonder 
how they'll take this next step.'  He nodded toward his 
secretary and she rose to leave the room.  A moment later she 
returned.

In her arms was Lady Samantha Anne Mulder--all nineteen 
pounds of her.  She was wrapped in a fleecy white blanket 
with only her baby hands sticking out.  The secretary walked 
to Dana Scully and offered her the baby.  Mulder held up his 
hand to halt her.  

"Dana, are you sure you don't need time to think about this?  
You face the biggest change here."  His voice was soft, 
almost a caress.  

"I'm sure, Mulder; are you?"  Dana whispered back.

Mulder looked deeply into her eyes for a moment.  "In that 
case. . ." he rose to stand next to her.  With all the grace of a 
large, sleek cat he fell to one knee and took Dana's hands.  
"Dana Katherine Scully, I love you.  Will you take me to be 
your husband?  Will you allow me to share the rest of your 
days and our child's days with you?"  He kissed her hands 
and looked back up into her eyes.

"Fox Mulder, I love you.  I would be proud to share the rest 
of my life with you and Samantha."  Tears gathered in her 
eyes, but did not spill down her face.  They both looked to 
the secretary who was unashamedly crying at the touching 
scene she was witnessing.  She gently placed the wiggling 
bundle in Dana's arms.  Mulder moved closer to encircle the 
two women in his life in his embrace.  As the baby sat up and 
pulled off the blanket, they both gasped.  Samantha's hazel 
eyes sparked up at them--a mirror image of her grandfathers'.  
She smiled and began to laugh when they smiled back.

Mulder and Dana swore they could hear Phoebe's laughter 
echoing with Samantha's.  Phoebe Greene had the last laugh 
after all.


Author's notes:  If you think that this story is too sweet, not 
full of enough angst, too happy for words--TOUGH!  Get 
over it people.  There are many people out here who don't 
have to live in doom and gloom.  I'm a cheerful person and I 
like to write stories that are reasonably happy--just like real 
life--with all its ups and downs. 

For those of you who enjoyed the story--I'm glad.

If you have a moment, let me know either way.