From: Dragones77@aol.com
Date: Sun, 20 Sep 1998 19:48:29 EDT
Subject: Resubmission


Title - On This Night of a Thouasand Stars


Author - Jerri Alexander


E-Mail address - MsJerriX@aol.com


Rating - Strong R


Category - SRA


Spoilers - This story is pre-Momento Mori.  Scully 
has enough to wory about in this story!

Keywords - Mulder/Scully Romance, Scully/other 
(kinda), and Rape


Summary -  Scully's relationship with her 
boyfriend takes a turn for the worse, and Mulder
must prove to her that he is there for her.
There is a semi-graphic description of a "date
rape" by her boyfriend, so be warned.  Mucho
agnst!
 

=

     Fox Mulder peered down at the file lying
open in his lap.  The apartment was silent; the
only sound the constant hum of the fish tank.  It
was fairly dark; but the late afternoon sun and
glow from the fish tank was enough to give
adequate light to the tall man sitting on the
leather couch.  He was fiercely studying the case
file, he hadn't changed out of his suit from
work.  He had removed is coat and tie, and put on
his glasses as he calculated the information.  His
chin rested on his palm and his brow was creased.
Suddenly, something snapped in Mulder's head;
you could almost physically hear the click. He 
dropped the file on the coffee table and snatched
up the nearby phone. Without looking or thinking,
he dialed 555-6431.



     "Hello?" answered Dana Scully as she held
the phone in the crook of her neck. She leaned
over and continued to work on  the stubborn
earring that didn't seem to want to stay in her
ear.
     "Hi, Scully it's me."
     "Hi, Mulder," she said into the phone.  She
had finally gotten the earring to stay and now
stood straight up, holding the phone to her ear
with her hand.
     "Scully, I found some real interesting facts
that I think can help us on the Franschieter case.
Can I come over and show them to you?"
     "Actually," Scully said as she ran a hand
through her hair as she glanced at herself in the
mirror, "tonight's not a good night." 
     "Why not?"
     "I have a date," Scully said, trying to
sound as if were no big deal.  The problem was, it
was a big deal.  She had been on one single date
since she started the X-Files, and that only
during their third case.  Scully looked at herself 
in the mirror again.  She was wearing a
long, smooth, maroon dress.  It was floor length,
and fit to her form.  Her brilliant auburn hair
was still slightly damp from her shower, but it
managed to fall loosely at her shoulders. Mulder
was taken completely aback by this statement.  A
field of emotions flooded through him.  He was
slightly angry; he really needed to show her this
information.  He was very shocked; she hadn't had
a date in at least four years!  Both their social
lives were, well, non-existent since they become
involved in the X-Files.  But the strongest
feeling was the one Mulder tried to ignore, but
it was no use; a vast cloud of disappointment
settled over him.  His throat tightened slightly 
and he had a hint of the feeling of betrayal.
Almost, but not as strong, as the feeling he had
felt when he found out his first real girlfriend
had been cheating on him.
     "Well," he said.  He decided to shake this
off with a joke; "That's something you don't see
every day," he said accusingly.
     "Very funny. Well, I better go Mulder,"
Scully said.
      "Yeah, well, I call you tomorrow."     "Okay, bye."
      Mulder slumped back in his chair.  He wasn't
going to be jealous; he was going to be
supportive.  She was more than a partner.  Even
if she wasn't cut out to be a lover, she was most
defiantly his best friend.

     Scully checked herself one more time before
going to answer the door.  She was so nervous;
she was acting as if it were her first date ever.
She opened the door and gave her best smile.  A
tall man, about six feet even was standing
outside.  His light brown hair was short, and he
wore a handsome suit. "You ready?" he asked.
Scully nodded and he led her out of the
apartment.
     The man's name was Clark Leah.  He was a
businessman that worked in downtown DC.  Scully
couldn't remember the name of the company, but
they had branches all over the US.  They met
while shopping.  He pulled her over and asked her
if he should buy the gray suit or the blue suit.
Scully off-handily said both; and he did!
Scully was amused to see the way he was flirting 
with her.  He had offered to buy her a drink at
the restaurant: then asked to see some ID because
he refused to give alcohol to people under
twenty-one.  He was fairly shocked to realize she
was an FBI agent.  He apologized for acting like
an asshole and said that he hoped asking a
federal employee on a date wasn't against the
law, because he would love to take her out to
dinner sometime. 
     Scully's eyes widened when she saw the huge,
black, Lincoln Towncar.  Clark quickly ran around
to the side and opened the car door for her.
Scully smiled and got in.  He was taking her to
Lost Mountain Tavern, a very pricey, very classy
restaurant downtown.  Usually, reservations had
to be made a month in advance. She wondered why
he was able to get a table in a week.  Scully
decided not to give him a lecture about bribery;
don't ask, don't tell.

     
     "So, you work for the FBI?" Clark asked
conversationally. 
     "Special Agent." She answered.
     "Whose your partner?"
     "His name's Fox Mulder."
     "I bet he's not as good as you."  Clark said
with a sly smile.
     "Actually, he's quite an agent."
     "Really, what department?  VCS?" he asked
trying to direct the conversation back to her.
The X-Files were no were near to being deemed
classified, but the government didn't want them
to flaunt them around like a freak show.  Scully
realized she could have a lot of fun with this.
     "The X-Files." She said flatly.
     "The X-Files?  And what exactly are they?"
     "I'd tell you," she said, a small smile
spreading across her lips, "but then I'd have to
kill you."
     "That's very funny.." Clark said as he
rolled his eyes.
     "Who says I'm joking?" she said, her face
solemn.  Clark saw the look in her eyes.
      "I'll be damned.  I'm on a date with a
fuck'n secret serviceman!"
     Scully laughed and they continued on with
their meal. 

     
     Scully sat comfortably in her antique
bathtub.  The night had gone pretty well.  Hell,
in had been the best date she might have ever
been on.  He had said that he'd call her, and
Scully was pretty confident that he would.  She
wondered if she should call Mulder.  She didn't
even know what time it was.  Hell, she'd wait
until morning. Scully walked in the next morning
with a confident smile on her face.  Mulder 
looked at her suspiciously.  She gave him an odd
look and sat down.  
     "How'd your date go?" Mulder asked.
     "It went absolutely well." She said, that
smile still spread across her lips.
     "You got laid, didn't you?"
     "Mulder!"
     "Inquiring minds want to know Scully."
     "Actually no, not yet at least."
      "Lemme guess...he said he'd call you,
right?"
      "Right."
     "Uh-huh."
     "You don't think he will?"
     "I didn't say a single thing."
     "Whatever."

      
      Scully's cell phone rang about three in the
afternoon.  "Scully."
     "Hi, hon!"
     "Clark!? Wow, I didn't think you'd call..."
Mulder had now placed the file down and listened
to their conversation intently.
     "Look," Scully started giving Mulder a
reproaching look, "How 'bout I call you back, I'm
kind of loaded down with work right now."
      "Sure, Babe."
     "Bye."  With that, Scully hung up the phone.
"Your worse than my mother, Mulder!"
     "What!?"
     Scully just gave him The Look and continued
with her paperwork.

     
      The weeks went by, and soon they turned into
a month.  Scully was really into this guy.  They
were getting very serious.  With each day that
passed, Mulder kept getting this odd sensation of
jealously, yet he didn't know why.  It never
occurred to him that he was just completely in
love with Dana Scully, and that the girl he loved
was seeing another man.
     Scully had been going out with Clark for
five weeks before Mulder met him.  He had come to
drop off a file at Scully's apartment.
     "Hi, Mulder," she said with a smile on her
face.
     "I've got the file you wanted."
     "Great, you coming in?"
Mulder walked in to see a handsome man
sitting on her sofa.  Mulder gave a reproachful
look to Scully.
     "Oh, Mulder this is Clark," she said,
motioning to the man that was now standing. Mulder
reached out his hand, "Clark, this is my partner,
Fox Mulder."  
     Mulder gave his best smile, but he just that
feeling that he wanted to just strangle him.  But
he didn't; instead he smiled courteously and
shook the man's hand. Mulder didn't stay very
long, he quickly handed the file to Scully and
left. Of course, it didn't help to ease Mulder's
conscious when Scully came in to work late the
next morning.

      The month turned into two, then three.  One
night, Mulder was having a drink in Ripley's when
Clark came in.  He saw Mulder and sat down beside
him.  Mulder tried to keep their conversation on
his part at low.  God, Mulder thought, Clark sure
could drink. Before Mulder was even on his third,
Clark had to have had his fifth set down in front
of him by the bartender. Mulder decided to order
another beer because Clark did.  He was gonna
have a helluva time trying to get home.  Clark
continued to drawl on about Scully, his words
starting to slur together as the alcohol settled
in to his system.  
     "She sure is a hot little number, Fox," he
oozed.  "Very hot.  She can do a number in the
sack, too, don't you agree?"
Mulder stared straight ahead, not looking at
Clark.  "I wouldn't know," he mumbled.  
     "God," Clark gasped, astonished.  "You mean
to tell me you never had the urge to just throw
her over your desk and fuck her brains out?"
     Mulder just gave him a gruesome sneer before
taking a long sip of his beer.
     "God, I have .  Just to throw her down and
screw the living daylights out of her..."
     "Are you implying you have?"  Mulder said to
Clark, not looking at him.
     "I've gotten a couple of good fucks out of
her."
     Mulder snapped out of his chair, sending the
stool and his beer crashing to the floor.  He
quickly grabbed Clark's shirt collar and hefted
him against the wall to his height.  Clark
dropped his beer, in shock and pain.  Mulder held
his face inches from his own.  
      "Listen you sick bastard,"  Mulder hissed,
"don't talk about her that way and treat her like
the respectable women she is.  She isn't some
sleazy sex toy you picked up in a dark store on
the wrong side of town!" he hissed between his
teeth, anger and liquor pumping hotly through his
veins. Clark landed on his feet and stumbled back
a few yards.  He quickly grabbed his coat and
stormed out of Ripley's, heading strait for
Scully's apartment.


      Scully was sitting on her couch watching the
evening news.  She heard someone approach loudly
from the hallway and thrust keys into her lock.
Scully got up to meet the very noisy visitor.  
     "Clark?" Scully said as she opened the door.
Clark grabbed her head and kissed her
forcefully.  Scully could taste and smell the
liquor on his breath and lips.  "Clark!" she
gasped as he easily lifted her off the ground and
carried her hurriedly to the bedroom.
     He hefted the petite woman onto the bed and
immediately climbed on top of her.  He reached
down and started to hastily unbutton her blouse.
Scully was beginning to get frightened. "Clark?!
Clark, what are you doing?!!"  Before he was able
to even remove the blouse from Scully, he reached
down and yanked her skirt off; along with 
everything underneath.  "Clark, no!" she said,
trying to keep her voice from shaking. Clark
quickly unbuckled his pants and pulled them down.
Then he grabbed the writhing red-head and pushed
her down onto the bed, hard.  As she came down,
the back of her head hit the headboard with a
sinking 'thud'.
     "Ow...no!  Clark, please!!"  
     Clark didn't even seem to hear the shrill,
frightened voice of the girl under him. Holding
the headboard for support, he thrust into her as
hard as he could. Scully couldn't help screaming,
he was so rough he hurt her so bad she felt like
she would split in two.  "Please, Clark, no..."
she whimpered.  Tears of emotional and physical
pain soaked her small cheeks.
     "Please, Clark..." she cried, barley
audible.  He ignored her and continued to pound
above her.  Scully felt the blood soak the back
of her head where she had hit it. Scully dug her
fingernails into his back as he began to move
harder inside her, hurting her more.
     Finally, he took one last, painful thrust
and rolled off her, promptly passing out. Scully
tried to move, but it hurt too much.  She could
only lie there, crying, mumbling the only words
that gave her any comfort: "Mulder...oh, God...
Mulder... Mulder..."

     
      Mulder was looking over a file when Scully
walked in.  She was almost limping, her face
trying to hide some pain.  Her eyes were red and
puffy, like she had been crying for a long, long
time.  
     "Hi, Mulder," she mumbled, not looking at
him.  Mulder knew something was wrong.
     "Scully?"
     "What, Mulder?"  Mulder walked a few steps
toward her, but she refused to meet his eyes.  
     "Scully, what's wrong?" he asked, concerned.  
     "Nothing, Mulder," she answered, turning
away.  
     "Tell me," he said, gently laying a
comforting hand on her shoulder.  "Please."
Scully glanced at his face to see that it
was tight with burden.  
     "Nothing, really," she lied as she tried to
contain herself.  "Me and Clark had a fight that's
all."  Mulder took a few steps forward. It was
breaking his heart to see her hurt. Scully stared
him squarely in the chest, afraid to meet his
eyes. Even though he knew he shouldn't, he held
her face lightly and turned her head to look at
him.  When she did meet his eyes, Mulder could
tell it was taking all of her not to burst out
into tears.  
     Mulder ran his fingers through her beautiful
red hair.  He wanted more than anything for her
to open up to him. Suddenly, she gasped as his
finger moved over the cut on the back of her
head.  Mulder turned her around and delicately
moved the brilliant auburn strands away from the
wound.
     "Oh my God, Dana, what the hell did he do to
you??"
     "Nothing, Mulder, I hit my head, that's
all." 
     She started to walk away, but Mulder's
strong arm held her in place.  He stared her in
the eyes. "Dana, what did he do to you?" he
demanded.
     "Nothing, I said!  Stop calling me Dana!" 
With that, she quickly jerked out of his grasp
and stormed out of the office.  Mulder followed,
right on her heels.  
     "Scully, please wait!  I don't like to see
you hurt..."
     Scully turned around and looked Mulder
firmly in the eyes.  "I can take care of myself."  
     And she was gone.

     
     Clark Leah was at home, talking on the
phone, "No, dammit, I need those reports today!!
...No, Ian, you have three cars, that I helped 
you buy, may I remind you...No, I'm not going 
to believe all of them are in the shop...
get your ass in one and bring the reports to 
me, now!..." Clark was interrupted by loud
pounding on his door.  "Look, Ian, I'll call you
back, and when I do, it better be on your CAR
PHONE!!!"  
     As Clark opened the door, Mulder grabbed him
by the collar and shoved him back onto the sofa.  
      "You son of a bitch!  I swear, if you ever
hurt Scully again, I'll kill you!!" he screamed.
Clark was stunned by the sudden entry, that all
he could do was sit opened-mouthed as Mulder
screamed.  Mulder walked back over and punched
Clark squarely in the jaw and walked out. 

	

     When Mulder came in to work the next day,
Scully was there waiting for him.  She got up to
meet him. 
     "Mulder, what the hell do you think you're
doing??" she demanded.
     "Scully, what are you talking about?"
     "Clark told me what you did.  God damn you, Mulder!  
I should tell him to press assault
charges on you!" Scully yelled.
     "Scully, he hurt you..."
     "Mulder, I told you; I can take care of
myself!" 
     "Apparently you can't..." he argued,
motioning towards her head. Before he could
 finish, Scully snapped around, disgusted to look
at him.
     "Scully, I'm just trying to protect you."
     "I don't need you to protect me Mulder."
     "I know Scully, it's just, I like to protect
you..."  
     Scully didn't seem to hear his heart-spoken
words.  She turned around and glared into his
hazel eyes.  She spoke slowly, pronunciating
every word: "Mulder, you are my partner at the
FBI, *stay* out of my personal life!"  Then she
turned around and walked out of the office. 
     Mulder felt his heart crumble.  She didn't
mean that, did she?  He could just stand there,
watching her as she walked briskly down the
corridor. 

     
     Mulder chose to take a week off, he told
Scully that they both needed time to cool off.
     Mulder was depressed, but that rare,
optimistic side of him told him that it was going
to be okay.  
     Scully was depressed, too.  She had made up
with Clark, telling her that it would never happen
again.  She was still cautious, though,
and thoughts of leaving him came often.  The
relationship lost it's flare after that night,
however, and every time he tried to make the moves
on her, she would clam up.     
     But that wasn't the REAL reason she was
depressed. She can't believe she actually said
that to Mulder.  They were the farthest thing
from 'just partners'.  Half the Bureau already
thought that they were involved.  Even though
Mulder and Scully weren't sexually involved, they
had this deep, emotional love.  A mix between the
way one loves his sibling and the way one loves
his best friend.  Without a doubt they would die
for each other.  They would practically do
ANYTHING for each other.  So what compelled her
to say that?  She didn't know, and it was driving
her crazy.
      And there was even something else was lying
heavily on her mind, she had recently began to get
very sick.  She insisted that it was just the flu,
but Clark insisted that she go to the doctor.  
      That simple twenty-minute drive to the
doctor's office was the most peaceful twenty
minutes she'd have in a long time.

     "You're positive??" Scully wailed.  
     "We'll re-test you, but our tests are over
99% accurate.  I'm sorry Mrs. Scully, but I 
believe you're pregnant." Scully buried her head 
in her hands, deep despair washing over her.  How 
irresponsible of her. She and Clark had been using
birth control...but there was always that one 
night...when Clark came in drunk.  Scully
nodded sadly and left the office.  
	
     She didn't tell Clark that day. Or the next.
By Thursday, she couldn't stand it any longer. She
gathered her coat and headed towards Mulder's 
apartment.  
     "Who is it?" was the muffled cry from the
apartment.
     "Scully," she answered, trying not to sound
upset.
     "Oh, come in.  You gotta key?"
     Scully unlocked the door and came in.  A
slight sound of metal clinking and the pounding of
padded feet took Scully off guard.  A flash of red
and heavy breathing came down on Scully.  She
dropped her keys and gave off a shocked shriek as
she went down.  
      Mulder heard Scully drop her keys and
scream.  He raced out from the bathroom, his wet
hair clinging to his forehead and clutching a
towel around his waist. 
     "LUKE!" he screamed in a commanding voice.
The red bundle of fur and tongue turned its head
and stared at the wet, frustrated man standing in
the bathroom doorway.  It then leapt and bounded
toward Mulder, throwing its paws up on the towel
and barking loudly, the feather-duster of the 
tail wagging fiercely.
      "Luke, down!" Mulder yelled. He fumbled with
his towel, giving Scully more of a glimpse than
he would ever have intended.  Finally the dog sat
down, panting loudly as he looked up at Mulder
expectantly.  Mulder turned and gave Scully an
embarrassed smile and dashed back into the
bedroom.  The dog watched as his wet master shut
the door and then focused his attention on
Scully.  His huge, brown, cow-eyes gleamed with
energy and playfulness, yet he stayed still and
stared at her.  Scully picked up her keys and went
slowly over to the dog.  He licked her hand
eagerly when she held it out.  He was a beautiful
dog, a very beautiful retriever.  It was the size
and shape of a golden retriever, a little smaller
with long, silky, fiery auburn hair.  Scully
lowered her hand down to the collar which was
embroidered with the name LUKE. Scully continued
to scratch behind the dog's ears, and his leg
instinctively began to twitch.  
     Mulder re-emerged from the bedroom, his hair
ruffled from wet to damp and he wore a pair of
jeans and his New York Knicks T-shirt.  He smiled
weakly and came out.  Scully looked at him
questionably, giving a nod to the dog she was
petting.  
      "Nice dog." She said in a tone that expected
an explanation.
     "Oh, yeah.  While I was gone, the DC humane
society had a 'incident', evolving several dead
cats, dogs and city workers.  It might have been
a were-wolf..." Mulder faded out when he saw
Scully roll her eyes. "Anyway, I took home
souvenir."
     "Please tell me this isn't the were wolf."
     Mulder smiled. "Oh, no, no.  He was about to
be put to sleep, I couldn't help but fall in love
with 'em."  As he said this, he walked over and
started petting the dog, also.  
     "He's beautiful." Scully said. 
     "Yeah, especially the hair.  You like it?"
Mulder said as he grabbed at the long, silky
strands of coppery red fur.
     "Oh, the color's wonderful," Scully agreed.
"It's so...bright." Scully felt Mulder's eyes on
her.  She looked up and blue met hazel.  
Mulder smiled and lowered his voice to an
almost...seductive...tone said: "It reminded me of
you."  Scully usually would have commented on the
fact that a dog reminded him of her, but the look
he was giving her rendered her silent.
Mulder broke the tension.  "So, did you need
something?"
     "Mulder, I'm sorry," she said as she finally
lifted her hands off the dog a sat heavily on
Mulder's worn, leather couch.
     "Scully, it's okay-really.  I-"
     "No, Mulder, really.  It was my fault." She
looked up at him and he smiled his acceptance. 
     "But that's not why I came here...not the only reason."
     "What?  What is it, Scully?  What's wrong?"
Mulder asked, concerned.
     "What makes you think that anything's
wrong?" she said, hearing her voice crack
unconvincingly.  Mulder gave her a look.  "Mulder,
I don't know how to say this...this is kinda
awkward..." she rambled.  Mulder took her hand and
it shut her stuttering up quick.  "Mulder, I'm
pregnant."  
     Mulder stared in shock as the beautiful face
in front of him transformed.  She was about to
open her mouth and tell Mulder that she really
didn't need a lecture when she glanced up to look
into the grinning face of her friend.  Eyes were
full of awe and wonder, Mulder lowered his eyes to
her belly.  
     "Scully..." Mulder said through is smile.
He put an arm around her shoulders, his eyes still
locked on her midsection.  
     "Mulder...?"
     Mulder started to touch her stomach, but
retracted 
his hand.  He was still grinning ear to ear. "You 
mean, there's actually a little person growing in 
there?"  
     For the first time in four days, she felt her despair melt away
and
she smiled.  "Yeah."
     Mulder was still contemplating whether not to
touch her.  
     "Has it...I mean...can you feel it?"
     "Not yet."
     "When did you find out?"
     "Tuesday."
     For the first time, Mulder looked Scully 
straight in the eyes.  "So you're really going to
be a mom."
     Scully was suddenly overwhelmed with pure
joy.  Mulder made her realize that this wasn't a 
tragedy.  Wow, Scully thought. She was going to be 
a mother..  Her smiled widened.  "Yep."
     With that, Mulder wrapped his arms around his 
friend and hugged her.  He was so happy for her, 
all the jealousy and anger that he had been 
feeling flew out the window.  He was content on 
knowing that she knew she could always come to
him.
     "I don't know what I'm going to tell Clark."
She said into his chest.
	"You mean he doesn't know?" 
	Scully sighed and pulled away from Mulder.
"This wasn't really planned, you know," she said,
her voice rising.  "I mean, he were being careful,
except..."
     Mulder began to feel the rage swell up
again...until he saw the worry and heartbreak in
Scully's eyes.  She was the one that was hurt, 
Mulder had to let her know everything was going to
be okay.
	As the first tear began to roll down her
cheek, Mulder wiped it away.  "Shh..." Mulder
soothed, pulling her into a hug again, "It's
okay...it's going to be okay.  You're going to be
a mom..."
    This time, Mulder had the hard time keeping the 
tears back.

     
     Clark sat in his apartment, reading his
'Details' magazine.  There was a tapping at the
door.  "Come in," he called.  "It's open." Dana
stepped into the lush apartment.  "Hey, honey."
Clark said.
     "Clark, I have something I need to tell
you," she said flat and evenly.
     "What?"
     "Clark sit down."  Clark eyes went dark with
concern.  He sat on the sofa and looked up
at her.  Dana sat down beside him and took
his hands.  "Clark," Dana started. She kept
a straight, solemn face, "I'm pregnant."
     Clark looked up at her frantic eyes.  With a
barely audible grunt, Clark jerked his
hands out of hers and started massaging his
temples.  
     "Clark?"  Dana was hurt.  She tried to keep
the tears from coming, and was barely succeeding.
 	"I thought we were being...careful," he
finally said.  
     "Well, ya know, they're only 97% affective.
And there was that...time...you just never know." 
     "I can't believe this."
     "Hey!" Scully shouted, starting to get a 
little angry, "I didn't exactly PLAN this, either,
dammit!"
     Clark turned looked at her.  "I know, I
know.  I'm sorry."
     "Well, Clark. Ya know, having a baby is a
big responsibility..."
     "No, wait.  You're getting an abortion,
right?"
     Dana was shocked by the question. The
thought had never even crossed her mind. "Of
course not!"
     "Why not?"
     "Jesus, Clark! I'm a doctor, I'm not going 
to kill the baby living inside me!" 
     "Just understand this, Dana, you're having
an abortion or I'm leaving!  I-I can't have a
goddamned baby right now!"
     Scully stood in shock for a moment.  For a
brief second, anger over powered her grief.  "Then
I'll see you I hell!"  With that, Dana turneed and
stormed out of Clark's apartment, slamming the
door hard behind her.

     Mulder heard a soft, but definite, tapping
at his door.  He went and answered it to find a
crying Scully on the other side.
     "Scully?"  He said, eyes and voice filled 
with concern. "What's wrong?"
     "He left me..." Scully said.  Mulder put an
arm around her shoulder and guided her to the 
couch.  "He wants me to get an abortion."
     "No, Scully.  No, no, no.  Not unless you
want it."
     "I don't.  But I don't want to loose him.
 Not right now..."  
     Mulder reached up and gently held her face.
"No. He doesn't deserve you.  Look how he's hurt
you."
     "But...I..." 
     "Scully?" Mulder said, looking firmly into
her eyes.  "Do you love him?"
     "I...I don't know.  I just can't do this by
myself.  I can't...do this alone."
     Mulder felt the tears welling up in his own
eyes. "No, Scully.  You're not alone. You have me.
You always will."  Scully looked up the caring
eyes of her best friend. "I'll help you through
this, Scully.  I'm here for you, you know that."  
Scully smiled and hugged him.  He's right, she
thought.  And he'll always have me.  

     For a couple of weeks, Mulder and Scully
kept her pregnancy to themselves. Clark had
disappeared, going off to another branch of his
company in Atlanta.  Soon, Scully realized there
were people who needed to informed.  Scully felt
it right to tell her mother first.
     "Are you sure you don't want me to come?"
Mulder asked.  He knew this was going to be hard
for her.  
     "Uh, no.  That might surface some questions.
Anyway...It's a mother-daughter kinda thing.  I
know Mom's gonna be pretty upset."
     "Are you going to tell her about what Clark did?"
     "I don't know.  If I can avoid it, I will.
No matter what, she's going to be disappointed in 
me."     
     "Good luck, Scully."
     "Thanks, Mulder."

     "Hi, Mom," Scully said as she wrapped her
arms around Margaret after she had opened the
door.
     "Hi, Dana."
     Scully smiled weakly.  "Um, mom.  I need to tell you
something."  
     Maggie's eyes filled with concern. "What is it honey?"  
     "Mom, you remember Clark, right," Dana asked 
as she seated herself on her mother's couch.
     "Yeah.  I thought you weren't with him 
anymore."
     "I'm not, but..." Dana took a ragged breath. 
Just say it!  Dana turned to her mom and looked 
her directly in the eyes.  "Mom, I'm pregnant."  
     Maggie's face grew solemn.  "I see," she 
said, and then pursed her lips.  Dana's heart 
ached as she saw the grief in her mother's eyes.
Dana had kept her in the dark so many times 
before.  Maggie got up and walked to other side of 
the room, her back to her daughter.  
     "Mom...please, don't be mad."  Dana couldn't 
hold back the tears any longer.  
     "I'm not mad," Maggie's said, even though her 
voice was cold.  "I'm..." Maggie was having 
trouble searching for words, "very disappointed in 
you, Dana.  It was very...irresponsible."  
     "Mom, I'm sorry," Dana pleaded.  She was
compelled to tell her about the night Clark was 
drunk, but she didn't want to sound like she was 
making excuses.
     "Is it Clark's?  I mean, you're certain."  Maggie 
was upset about Dana having sex before marriage, she 
could tell.  Her mother was a very devout catholic, 
and even though she was pretty certain Dana wasn't a 
virgin at 32, it still bothered her to think about it.  
     "Yes, Mom, it's his."
     "Then where is he?"
     "I don't exactly know, I think he's in
Atlanta."
     "Does he know?"  Maggie asked.
     Dana couldn't hide the venom in her voice.  
"Yeah, he knows."  Hearing Dana's hatred, Maggie 
eyes softened as she turned to face her daughter.  
"He left me because of it..."  
     "He did?"  Now Margaret began to feel for 
Dana.  
     "Well, he said either he would leave, or I 
had to get an abortion."
     "Oh, Dana..." Maggie went over to hold her 
daughter.  "You probably feel so alone..."
     "No, actually.  Mulder's been...great.  He's 
really supportive." 
     Maggie smiled.  "I've always liked him.  He 
absolutely treats you like a princess." Dana felt 
the color in cheeks.  "How long?" she asked, 
changing the subject.
     "About five weeks," Dana said as she wiped 
away her tears.  Then Maggie, with the warmth of 
knowing she would soon be a grandmother, hugged 
her 'baby girl.'


    Scully was at home when the phone rang.  
"Hello?"  
     "Hey, Scully.  How'd it go?"
     "I could live without ever having to go 
through that again, but it went a lot better than 
I thought it would."
     "Well, that's good.  When are you planning on 
telling Skinner?"
     "I don't know.  I really wish I didn't have 
to, but I don't think it can be avoided. 
Truthfully, Mulder, I'm scared."
     "Why, Scully?"
     "Well, I know the Bureau has high standards, 
and a single woman getting pregnant won't look 
good."
     "Well, Scully, if your job is threatened, you 
can always tell what Clark did, remember that."
     "Yeah."
     "Oh, and Scully?"
     "Yeah, Mulder?"
     "No matter what you say, I'm going to be with 
you this time."
     "Don't worry, Mulder, I wouldn't dream of 
going in there alone."
     "So when are you going to tell him?"
     "Not for a couple of weeks."
     "Okay, Scully.  See you tomorrow."
     "Bye, Mulder."


     Mulder and Scully were sitting doing tons-of-
fun paper work when, all of the sudden, Mulder 
noticed that Scully looked a little green.  Uh-oh, 
Mulder thought, we really need a bathroom in the 
basement level.... Scully got up and ran out of 
the office. 
     She didn't really get very far, however. 
Mulder heard Scully loose it about halfway down 
the hall. Mulder hated to see Scully in such pain.  
He poked his head out of the door.  Scully was 
crouched on the floor in front of her mess.  
     "You okay?"
     "Oh, yeah.  I'm fine.  But I don't think the 
janitor will be all that pleased."  
     Mulder walked over and helped her up.  "I'll 
get a trash-can or something for you, Scully."
     "God, Mulder, I'm sorry.  That was 
embarrassing."
"It's okay, Scully, you can't help it."  Mulder 
led her back into the office with one arm around 
her shoulder.  He grabbed a tissue.   "Here," he 
said gently as he began to wipe the corners of her 
mouth. Scully took the tissue from him.  "I'll go 
get you some crackers from the cafeteria."  Scully 
nodded and he left.
     God, Scully thought, he so caring.  I feel 
like I'm holding him back.  He's become my 
personal slave and I didn't even ask.  I'm not 
worth all of this attention, am I?    


     Two weeks later, Scully sat in the office 
waiting for Mulder.  She couldn't believe that she 
was going to have to tell Skinner today.  It was 
four months into her pregnancy, and Scully was 
glad the nausea and other pains of the first 
trimester were over. Scully looked down at her 
abdomen.  She was already getting a little paunch, 
and in the next couple weeks, she would be gaining 
a lot more. Either tell Skinner now or let him 
find out himself.
     Scully was staring blankly at her cup of 
coffee when Mulder finally walked in. He smiled 
reassuringly.  "You ready?"  
     "Not really, but I guess I have no choice."
When Kimberly, Skinner's secretary, finally let 
Mulder and Scully in to see him, Scully felt more 
nervous in that room than she had ever felt 
before.  Skinner looked up from his papers and 
nodded for them to sit down.  Mulder eyes 
instinctively went to the ash tray, but it was 
spotlessly clean.  
     "You two wanted to see me?"  Skinner asked in 
his monotone, I could-be-doing-something-better-
with-my-time voice.
     "Actually, sir," Scully said, "It's just 
really me who's here to see you.  Mulder's just 
here because, well, it was important to me...for 
him to be here."
     Fairly shocked by the surprising display of 
affection for her partner, and apparent personal 
tone of the nature, Skinner set his pen down, took 
off his glasses and nodded for Scully to continue.
     "Sir...hypothetically speaking, what would 
happen if a field agent were, under pressuring 
personal problems, were to become pregnant?"
     Skinner instinctively threw a glare at Mulder 
who eyes widened slightly as he realized what 
Skinner was probably thinking.  "Agent Scully, are 
you trying to tell me you're pregnant?"
     "Yes, sir," Scully said as she dropped her 
eyes to her lap. 
     At this time his glare on Mulder intensified. 
"And would Agent Mulder have anything to do with 
this pregnancy?"  Mulder threw Scully a pleading 
look.
     Scully jerked her head up.  "No, sir," she 
replied quickly, "it was solely personal."  
     Skinner relaxed a little.  "Where is the 
father?"
     "I don't know, sir.  Agent Mulder and I think 
he is in Atlanta, but we're not sure."
     "Under the circumstances, the agent would 
have any field work suspended, and a maternity 
leave of absence would be applicable for the 
agent." 
     Scully smiled.  That went easier than 
expected, also.  
     "Is that all, Agent Scully?" 
     "Yes, sir.  Thank you." Scully and Mulder got 
up to leave.  
     Right before they left, Skinner said, "Agent 
Scully?"
     "Yes, sir?"  Scully asked, the nervousness 
rising.
     "Congratulations."
     Scully took a relieved breath.   "Thank you, 
sir."


     "Scully?"  Mulder asked.  
     "Yeah, Mulder?" Scully said without looking 
up from her paperwork.  
     "Have you seen my sunflower seeds?"
     Scully looked up. "Oh, I ate them.  I hope 
you don't mind."
     Mulder grinned.  "It was a one-pound bag, 
Scully!"
     "I was hungry."
     "You don't even like sunflower seeds."
     "I had a weird craving.  Hey-speaking of 
food, are you hungry?"
     "Kinda, but I'm not in the mood for the 
cafeteria's mystery-meat special."
     "Actually," Scully said, "That's on Monday.  
Today is 'X-File Friday fillet of flukeworm."
     "Cute, Scully"
     "No, actually was planning on picking 
something up somewhere else.  That restaurant 
across the street."
     "Scully, that's the Hard Rock Cafe!"
     "Well, that sounds good."
     After beating the crowds of tourists and wolf 
whistles from DC's not-so-pick-of-the-litter guys, 
Scully finally re-emerged in Mulder's office.  
"That's quite a bag you have there, Scully."
     Scully ignored him.  "Um, here's your Hard Rock Hamburger 
and fries," she said.
     "What did you get?"
     "Um, a milkshake, curly fries and spaghetti."
     "Mmm," Mulder said sarcastically, "sounds 
wonderful."
     "Shut up, Mulder."  
     Mulder raised an eyebrow at Scully's snippy 
remark.  Must be the hormones, he thought.  Mulder 
made a vow to support Scully through this entire 
episode.  And he also vowed that if she didn't 
take her leave of absence soon, he was personally 
going to lock her in her apartment.  
     "Um, Mulder?"  Scully asked softly.
     "Yeah, Scully?"
      Scully looked a little nervous.  Her eyes 
kept darting from Mulder to the ink blotter, to 
her lap.  Scully nervously picked at her nails. 
"Mulder, this is a little awkward to ask, but 
would you come with me to the first doctor's 
appointment.  I'm really scared, and would make me 
feel better."
     Mulder smiled. "Scully, I'd be honored to 
come with you."  Mulder was so glad Scully wasn't 
hiding anything from him and was letting him get 
closer than she would usually let him get.

    
     The doctor's appointment went smoothly.  
Scully even held Mulder's hand during the 
ultrasound.  He was so proud of her.  So proud, 
that his pride out-weighed the hatred he felt 
toward Clark and how he left her.  


     Late in Scully's fifth month, Mulder had to 
leave for work on a two-week assignment.  Mulder 
called Scully everyday to check on her.  Scully 
learned to love the attention, especially from 
somebody that she cared so much for. When Mulder 
returned, Scully still hadn't taken her maternity 
leave.  
     "Yikes, Scully," Mulder said as he appeared 
in the office the following Monday, "It's look s 
like you've swallowed a bowling ball!"
     "Nice to see you, too, Mulder."
     "So, what's evolved on the gossip line since 
I've been gone?"
     "Nothing much.  More and more people believe 
that it's yours."
     "What else is new?  The Are-Spooky-and-Ice-
Queen-Sleeping-Together Poll has been around since 
we became partners."
     They both smiled at the joke and looked at 
each other awkwardly for several moments.  The 
sexual tension was so thick, you could cut it with 
a knife.  "So," Scully said, ruining the moment, 
"did you make the arrest?"
     "No, no." Mulder said, knowing that Scully 
already Knew the answer.  "Andrews was found in 
his apartment with a silver spike through his 
heart. Apparently somebody decided to take the law 
into their own hands.  The LAPD has control over 
the matter now." 
     "Well, you win some, you loose some."  An 
awkward silence fell over the room. Scully got up 
to do something, and stopped. 
      "What's wrong?" Mulder asked, concerned.  
     "Nothing, Mulder.  I just got a little light-
headed.  That's all."
     "Dammit, Scully," Mulder said lightly, "when 
are you going to leave work?" 
     "I can handle it, Mulder."  Mulder smirked.  
Scully sure was stubborn.  
     "For real, Scully, when are you planning on 
leaving?  I mean, you've already been taken out of 
the field.  All you have you have to do is 
paperwork, and why do that when you can take some 
time off...and still be paid?"
     "I don't know, Mulder.  Maybe I'll start next 
week."
     "Great!" Mulder said enthusiastically as he 
jumped up and started to leave the office.
     "Wait," Scully said suspiciously, "Where are 
you going?"
     "Going to Skinner to tell him you won't be 
coming to work on Monday and to get your leave of 
absence papers."  With that, Mulder was gone.  
Scully shook her head and laughed to herself.  
Either Mulder really cares about my health, or he 
really wants to get rid of me.


     The next week, Scully did finally take her 
time off.  Mulder, once again, called her everyday 
to check on her.  Mulder was reluctant to go on 
assignments, but Scully repeatedly assured Mulder 
that she was okay, and the baby wasn't due for 
several months.  Scully was glad that she took her 
absence when she did when the seventh and eighth 
months rolled around.  She slept almost 
constantly, so Mulder learned not to call everyday 
in fear of waking her up.  He would stop and check 
in on her every few days. If she was asleep when 
he came (usually around 5:30), he would let 
himself in, prepare a simple dinner for her, put 
it on the table, and gently wake her.  Scully 
really appreciated this, since it was getting 
harder and harder to move around the kitchen.  
Actually, although she wouldn't admit it, she was 
quietly falling in love with Fox Mulder.
     Midway through Scully's eighth month, Maggie 
and Mulder appeared in the lobby of Scully's 
apartment building.  They looked at a comfortable 
two-bedroom apartment available on the first-floor 
of the building.  They both agreed that it was 
exactly what the expecting Scully needed.  They 
both helped pay for the rental.  They smiled at 
each; content with the secret plan they had 
conjured up together. Early in the ninth month, 
the enlarged Scully was spending the day with her 
mother to do some last minute baby-shopping.  
Maggie had insisted that they took this particular 
day to go.  Dana agreed, herself eager to get out 
of her own apartment and do something. They didn't 
get back to Maggie's house until late that night.  
     "I'm exhausted," Dana said as she plopped down on her mother's
couch=
.  
     "Why don't you stay here tonight, Dana.  I 
don't want you driving if you're that tired."
     "Well...okay.  You twisted my arm," she answered lazily.  
Maggie went over to the kitchen and poured her daughter a 
glass of ice water.  However, by the time she got over to 
the couch to give it to Dana, she was sound asleep.


     Mulder heard his cell phone ring from the 
other room.  Putting down the screw-driver and the 
irksome rod Mulder had been messing with for a 
wile now, he rushed to answer it.
     "Mulder."
     "Hi, Fox," whispered Maggie. "Dana's sleeping 
here tonight, so don't worry when she doesn't show 
up tonight.
     "Okay, Mrs. Scully."
     "How's it coming, Fox?"
     "Actually, I think I'm done.  As soon as I 
get this damned crib assembled."
     "Okay.  I'll see you later.  Good-bye, Fox."
Mulder smiled as he hung up the phone.  No matter 
how many times he insisted that Maggie call him 
'Mulder,' she refused.  Yet, even though Maggie 
protested, Mulder always called her 'Mrs. Scully.'  
Near three in the morning, the exhausted Mulder 
was just putting the bedding in the finished crib 
when his cell-phone rang again.
     "Mulder."
     "Fox?"  It was Mrs., Scully, and she seemed a 
little panicked.  Her voice was shaky and high.  
Mulder could hear Scully in the back ground, in 
pain.
     "Mrs. Scully, what's wrong?"
     "It's Dana."  
     Mulder heart quickened.   "What? What's 
wrong?"
     "I'm in the car taking her to the hospital.  
She's having contractions.  Something's wrong."
     "Are you sure?  The baby's only about two and a half weeks
early.  
It could just be pre-mature.  I think you ought to calm down."
     "No, Fox.  Dana says the contractions are 
irregular.  Something's wrong."
     At this statement, Mulder's grew worried.  
"I'll meet you at the hospital."
     "Thank you, Fox." 


     Mulder quickly finished the crib and swung by 
his apartment to pick up some stuff.  On the way 
to the hospital, Mulder was soon caught in a 
colossal traffic jam.  Damn it, he thought.  Why 
now? Frustrated, Mulder tuned his radio dial the 
AM news station.  
     Twenty minutes later Mulder's car had moved a 
miraculous one-quarter mile.  The news station had 
reported that there was a seven-car pile-up a 
couple miles down the road.  Why did I take the 
freeway through Downtown, anyway?, he scolded 
himself.  
     Ten minutes after that, Mulder's phone rang 
again.  "Mrs. Scully?"
     "Hi, Fox."
     "Hello, how's Scully?"
     "She's in surgery."
     Mulder voiced cracked, "Surgery?"
     "It's okay, Fox.  The baby was in distress.  
She's having a C-section.  They should both be fine.  
I'll call you later when I have more news."
     "Great."  Mulder put down the phone.  He 
wondered if it was going to be a boy or a girl.  
Scully had surprised Mulder when she said she 
didn't want to know until it was born.  Usually 
Scully wanted everything planned, as little 
surprises as possible.


     After what seemed like an eternity, Mulder's 
cell phone once again.  "What's the news?" the 
anxious Mulder asked.
     Mulder could hear the pride in Mrs. Scully's 
voice, "I'm a grandmother!" she exclaimed. 
Mulder was grinning from ear to ear.   "What is 
it?"
     "A little girl; Melissa Margaret Scully."
Mulder's smiled widened, "I like that name."  
Mulder sighed a sigh of relief as he passed the 
huge wreck.  "I'm out of the traffic jam.  I 
should be there in a couple of minutes."
     "She can't wait to see you, Fox.  She's in 
recovery right now but by the time you get here 
she should be in a maternity suite."
     "I can't wait," Mulder said, and he meant it. 


     Scully looked up when she heard a soft 
tapping at the door.  Margaret smiled at her 
daughter. "I'll get it."  Maggie opened the door.
"Hi, Fox."  Maggie opened the door to let Mulder 
in.  "I'll leave you three alone," she announced 
as she walked out, softly closing the door behind 
her.
     "Hi," Mulder said.  His heart swelled at the 
sight before him.  The room was pretty big, with 
pink balloons, teddy bears, and flowers displayed 
everywhere.  Scully's bed was by the window.  The 
empty baby bed was next to the wall on the other 
side of the bed.  Scully was holding the silently 
sleeping baby that was wrapped in a pink blanket.  
     "Hi, Mulder."  God, she looks so happy, 
Mulder thought.  He displayed the bouquet of 
flowers he brought Scully and placed them on the 
table. Mulder walked over, placed a loving kiss on 
her forehead, and looked down at the baby.  It was 
the single, most beautiful thing Mulder ever 
thought he'd seen.  It was sleeping soundly, a 
slight trail of drool running from the corner of 
it cupid's-bow mouth.  A few wisps of red hair 
clung to it's forehead.  
     "Can I hold it?" Mulder whispered.
     "Yeah," Scully said as she carefully handed 
the baby to Mulder.  He marveled on how small it 
was.  The baby opened her eyes for a minute.  The 
were pale blue; baby eyes.  They would probably 
would change to green-brown like her father when 
she got older.  Maybe it was lucky and would keeps 
the crystal pools like her mother. 
     "How ya feeling?" Mulder asked as he gently 
rocked Melissa.  
     "I've been better, but overall I feel okay.  
I'm tired, and so is Missy." 
Mulder started to hand the baby back to Scully.  
     "No, put her in her crib."
     "You sure?"
     "Yeah, I'll call the nurse to take her to the 
nursery."
     "Nah, leave her here for a while," he said.  
Scully was looking away from Mulder, out the 
window.  "Scully?"
     "Look at all the stars, Mulder.  She turned 
back to Mulder.  "They're beautiful." She looked 
at her sleeping child.  "Just like her."  She 
looked up at Mulder.  "Mulder, I just want to say 
thanks."
     "Thanks?  Thanks for what, Scully?"
     "You know, for being there for me."
     "I'll always be here for you.  I mean, if 
you'll let me." 
     "What?"  Scully's heart quickened.  Did he 
mean what she thought he meant? 
     Mulder bent down on one knee, and displayed a 
small, black-velvet box.  "Dana Katherine Scully, 
will you marry me?" he asked as he handed the box 
to Scully.   Scully opened the box to find a 
beautiful diamond solitaire ring.  
    Tears welled up in her eyes.  "Mulder, I..." 
she started doubtfully.
     Mulder's face fell.  "What?  What's wrong?"
     "Mulder...I mean...God, I don't know what to 
say..." she whispered.
     "Say 'yes.'"
     "Mulder...it's just...don't this for the 
baby, it wouldn't be right.  I mean, you don't 
love me and, while the idea sounds great, it would 
never work and it would confuse Missy, ya know, 
when she gets to school and learns that mommies 
and daddies..." she rambled.  God, she wanted to 
say yes...but it wouldn't be fair to him.  "and, 
and, and you don't love me..., and..."
      Mulder grasped her hand firmly and held to 
his lips.  "But I do, Scully.  I have for a long, 
long time."  Scully looked up into Mulder eyes and 
saw the tears there.  Tears of truth. 
      "I love you, Dana, and I'm asking you again; 
will you marry me?"
     Scully couldn't help but smile as the tears 
started to roll down her cheeks. "Yes," she 
answered.  The stared at each other for a long 
moment before Mulder reached down and pulled her 
into a loving kiss.  The kiss quickly deepened, 
and soon they pulled back for air.  
	Scully looked up at Mulder, a trail of tears 
flowing from his eyes.  "I love you, too."


     "Mom, my apartment's this way," Scully said, 
pointing down the opposite hallway than Maggie and 
Mulder were heading.
     "No, no," Mulder said as he took her by the 
shoulders and started to lead her down the 
hallway.  As they arrived at apartment 51, Mulder 
said, "Give Missy to your mother."
     After giving Mulder an awkward glance, she 
did as she was told.  Maggie and Mulder exchanged 
glances, and Mulder opened the door.   
     The apartment was empty.  Scully opened her 
mouth to ask what this was all about, when Mulder 
cut her off, "Open that door."
     Scully went over and opened the door Mulder 
was pointing to.  She gasped at the sight before 
her.  The room was colorfully painted in pastel 
blues, pinks, greens, and yellows.  Each wall was 
an alternating color, and all the curtains, 
mobiles, wall decorations, bedding, and pillows 
were all coordinating.  The wall lining was 
alternating little zoo animals, and there was 
small a pile of stuffed animals in the corner.  In 
the crib was a basket of baby essentials: baby 
shampoo, soap, teething rings, pacifiers, bottles, 
small toys, baby sleepers, etc.  Tears came to her 
eyes as she turned to face her grinning mother and 
fianc=E9.  
     "You guys did this?"
     "Yep," Mulder said as he wrapped his arms 
around her and kissed her soundly. Maggie smiled 
at the sight before her.  She was so thrilled when 
Dana had told her about Mulder's romantic 
surprise.
     When they finished, Maggie handed Missy to 
her mother and father-to-be.  Scully realized that 
no matter what happened, she was never, and would 
never be, alone.

The End

****FEEDBACK PEOPLE!!!  PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE 
send comments to <MsJerriX@aol.com>  Thanks!******

Peace, Love, and all that Jazz,

-Jerri
The Dragon's Lair
http://www.dragons.ontheweb.nu