From: barelyhere@email.msn.com
Subject: Coast of Marseilles 2
Date sent: Tue, 10 Jun 1997 07:38:20 -0400
From: barelyhere@email.msn.com
Subject: Coast of Marseilles 2 - 1-9
DATE: May 21, 1997
TITLE: Coast of Marseilles, Book 2
Waiting for the Lone Gunmen
COAST OF MARSEILLES 2
Waiting for the Lone Gunmen
11:00 am Coast of Palma
Girard met Dana and company as they boarded the yacht.
His uneasy look concerned her.
"Girard, is there something wrong?" Dana asked
growing anxious.
"Can I speak with you downstairs?" He asked,
motioning for her to precede him. Dana nodded and
turned to Samantha.
"Can you settle the children in their rooms? They may
want to watch television. Fox and I need to talk to
Girard." She said lightly, not wanting to alarm
Samantha.
"Sure, is there something wrong?" Samantha asked, her
eyebrows furrowed.
"I'm sure it's nothing." Dana assured her with a
smile as they walked into the salon.
"Mulder, can you join us?" Dana asked as she made her
way to the stairs.
Mulder nodded and followed them down the stairs to
Girard's quarters.
When they reached the quarters Girard opened the door
allowed them to enter and closed the door behind them.
"Have a seat." Glenda's said from the sofa where she
was reading.
"Girard, is there something wrong? You're making me a
bit nervous." Dana said taking a seat next to Glenda.
Mulder sat next to her and leaned back crossing his
legs and putting his arm protectively on the back of
the sofa slightly circling Dana's shoulders.
"I received a transmission from my contacts this
morning. Seems the project is in the process of
moving again. The location isn't clear, and it looks
like they are moving back to the states. They've seen
crates loaded on ships bound for Florida. My sources
tell me there's an abandoned marine research facility
off the coast on a small island. They believe the
project will set up disguised as a privately run
marine biology research facility. The island is far
enough off the coast that access will not be easy, and
they will be able to monitor the island and
surrounding waters for intruders." Girard handed Dana
and Mulder a map of the coast of Florida.
"The circled area is the island where they are bound.
I asked my contact to notify Bill's father alerting
him of their movement. I don't want his life to be in
danger, and we may need his assistance." Girard
noticed Dana's change in expression as he mentioned
Bill's father.
"They told me the Consortium is desperately looking
for Samantha and Katie. They have issued a *dead or
alive* reward for her. I think it would be wise to
keep her on the boat until you have completed your
mission. My sources assure me they have no idea where
she is, but they have distributed her picture along
with Katie to their contacts and bounty hunters.
They're afraid she can expose the group with her
knowledge of the project and those in charge." Girard
looked at Dana then Mulder. He could see the anger
and fear in Mulder's eyes.
Mulder withdrew his arm from the back of the sofa, and
sat forward resting his head in his hands. Dana could
read his body language, even after all these years.
"Mulder, don't worry, we've taken every precaution we
possibly can, I don't think they will find her. We'll
just stay out of sight until we have to go back to
Marseilles and pick up the Gunmen. We can cruise in
open sea for a few days." Dana said, softly putting
her hand on his back to reassure him and calm his
fear.
"I can't let them take her again, I'll die protecting
her if I have to. I'll kill them all, personally,
before I'll allow it." He vowed not raising his head.
"I know, don't worry, we have successfully eluded them
for over a month. She'll have to stay out of sight
whenever we're in port. It'll be okay, you'll have to
trust me. Girard is very reliable in keeping us
safe." Dana said confidently, leaning close to
Mulder's hidden face.
Mulder thought for a moment, back to a time when
"you're the only one I trust" was his solemn vow. But
now after years of trusting no one other than himself,
trusting wasn't easy.
He dropped his hands, and looked at her from his bent
position. "Okay, I trust you." He said, with a sigh,
"but don't ask me *not* to worry, it's my nature to
be paranoid remember?" He asked with a wry smile.
Dana sat back and patted him on the back and moved her
hand in soothing circles as a gentle reassurance she
had calmed his fears for the moment. She knew how
difficult it would be for Mulder to trust again, even
her. This time, she would not let him down whatever
it took, she would gain his trust again.
She looked at Glenda, wanting to quickly defuse the
tension in the room -- most of it radiating from the
man next to her.
"Have you planned dinner for tonight?" Dana asked
removing her hand from Mulder's back as she looked at
Glenda.
"No, I hadn't planned anything special. Do you have a
suggestion?" Glenda asked, realizing what Dana was
attempting to do.
"I thought we might have a cookout under the stars,
the kids love to eat outside. Do we have enough
provisions for the next couple of days? If so, we can
set sail now if you want Girard." Dana said looking
from one to the other.
"Yes, we stocked up when we were in Marseilles. And a
cookout would be fun." Glenda agreed with Dana's
reason for changing the subject so abruptly. Though
she didn't know the man seated next to Dana very well,
she could see his devotion to his sister, and she was
sure he felt the same for Dana and the children.
"I've checked the weather reports and for the next
couple of days, it looks like we have clear sailing.
But there's a front moving in after that, and it
promises rain maybe a bit of rough seas. We should
try and dock in a harbor while it passes through. I
don't want to be caught in open sea in a bad storm."
Girard stated.
"That will be fine. If you would like to navigate us
out of the area, I will sail tonight for a while so
you can take a break." Dana said rising from her seat
followed by Mulder as they made their way to the door.
"Glenda, I'll check on the kids and be back in a bit
to help you prepare for dinner." Dana said from the
door allowing Mulder to exit in front of her. Glenda
nodded. Dana closed the door and followed Mulder down
the hallway to the stairs.
Will, Sarah, and Katie were watching Star Wars on the
VCR when Dana and Mulder walked into the salon. The
kids didn't notice them when they entered the room.
"Aren't Will and Sarah a little young to watch that?"
Mulder questioned.
"It's Will's favorite. Wait until he challenges you
with his light saber." Dana chucked. She remembered
the challenge between Bill and her young son not so
long ago. It caused her a moment of sadness. She
hoped Will would bond with Mulder as well as he did
with Bill.
Bringing her attention back to the present, she looked
at Samantha wanting to gain her attention without
alerting Katie to any unnecessary worry. Samantha
looked up with questioning eyes. Dana motioned her
head toward the outer deck and Samantha got up to
follow them outside.
"What's wrong? Are Katie and I in danger?" She asked
apprehensively.
Dana sat down in a chair and waited as Mulder and
Samantha sat down on either side of her.
Turning to her left, Scully studied the anxious young
woman before she spoke. "Samantha, I don't want you
to be alarmed, everything will be fine." Dana
explained calmly. "It seems the project is moving
again. There is an island off the coast of Florida
used for marine biology research. Girard believes the
island will yield them a tighter security advantage to
prevent further mishaps." She looked at Mulder who
was attempting to act equally as calm. An endeavor
for which she was very grateful, not wanting to
frighten Samantha.
"Girard told us a few minutes ago the Consortium has
issued a manhunt for you and Katie." Dana heard
Samantha gasp and her eyes widened.
"Samantha, don't worry they have to come through me
before they can touch you." Mulder said defiantly.
Samantha smiled at her brother believing he would
indeed protect she and Katie which made her relax a
bit.
"I want to reassure you of Girard's capabilities
Samantha -- he *is* one of the best. Mulder and I are
confident you'll be safe. But, we don't want you to
go on shore until we're safely home." Dana explained,
moving her eyes from Sam to Mulder and back to her
again..
Samantha seem to calm a bit, but tears filled her
eyes. Mulder moved next to her and took her hand.
"Samantha, we are going to stop this, and make sure
the future is happy for all of us. I promise." He
said gently.
The apparent emotions on Samantha's face confused
Mulder, but before he could question her she simply
said.
"Home. I.....I can't believe I'm so close to being
home again. To....to see Mom." Her speech
disappeared as tears overtook her ability and she
started to cry. Mulder gently pulled her into his
embrace mumbling soothing words of reassurance to her
everything would turn out okay.
"I don't remember what she looks like." Samantha said
between sobs as she drenched the front of Mulder's
shirt. He never let her go as if reassuring himself,
as well as her, that they would be safe and a happy
reunion would take place.
"I'm going to check on the kids." Dana said quietly
locking eyes with Mulder to let him know she wanted to
allow him time to speak to Samantha alone. He nodded
with an appreciative silent message that seemed to be
present again between them. Samantha continued to
weep softly allowing years of emptiness spill out of
her and all over her brother.
"Fox, you don't know how many times I've dreamed about
seeing her. At first, I could remember her face, but
as the years dragged on, I only dreamed of a faceless
person. After a while, the only face I remembered was
yours. You were my hope, but I never stopped missing
her and Dad." She said in a quiet voice between the
abating tears.
"I'm sorry, I don't have a picture of Mom with me."
Mulder wished he had carried other family pictures
than Samantha at that moment. The coldness of his
childhood trained him that no one was close to his
heart except her. Reminding him she was gone from his
life, but not from his mind as long as he had a
reminder close to his heart that he would find her one
day. They couldn't take that from him as they had so
viciously ripped her away, leaving him to search for
her in years to come.
"She has missed you all these years. She was never
the same after you left -- none of us were. She and
Dad divorced in my teens, unable to bear the burden of
losing you." Mulder ran his hand over her hair almost
like a father with a child.
"I'm not sure how much Mom knows about everything
that's happened to you, but it was Dad's decision to
allow you to be taken. She hated him for it, even
after he died." Mulder explained as Samantha she
became quiet resting in her brother's comfortable
embrace.
"Dana told me a lot of what happened when you were a
child, Fox. It must have been as much a prison as
mine. That's why I don't want to lose you again, I
couldn't bear it. Since I've tasted the freedom Katie
and I have shared with Dana for the last month, I
would rather die than return to them." Samantha spoke
softly, but with conviction as if gaining strength
from his closeness.
He lifted her from his chest and looked into her eyes.
"I swear to you Samantha Mulder, I will not allow
them to ever take you from me again. The years I
spent after you left were too empty and loveless to
allow you to slip away from me. We will fight this
together and *we will win*! The truth will be known.
I not only have the confidence in myself, but Dana is
a formidable woman when it comes to accomplishing her
goal. And her goal is not only to keep you safe, but
our children as well." He thumbed away her tears.
"You have to know and trust that both she and I would
fight to the death to keep them from harm." He spoke
with confidence and smiled thinking of the tigress in
the other room watching over her young.
Samantha broke into a smile wiping the rest of the
tears from her eyes as if she was assured of her
protection. She felt very fortunate to be cared for
and surrounded by people who loved her so much. "She
loves you Fox."
"I know," he said almost shyly, "I've missed her these
years we've been apart. I've harbored resentment
toward her, especially when I found out about Will and
Sarah. I understand to a point, why she did what she
did and all the old feelings have been revived. But
right now the reunion is new and I can't guarantee
what will happen when the 'new wears' off and reality
hits me. I do love her, but she's hurt me, and I
still have to work through the feelings mixed up in my
heart and mind. I'm torn between wanting to hug her
and shake her at the same time." Mulder said, hearing
his words echo from his head and heart.
"Fox, you don't have to rush things. I can tell when
you are with her that you want to recapture the bond
between you. She lost her husband not long ago, and
she is still working through the pain. I can see how
hard it is for you to keep your hands off her, and I
know it is none of my business, but let her come to
you. She wants to reassure you she isn't rejecting
you, and that she loves you. But she still has Bill's
death and memory to work out for herself. Women have
emotions you can't even begin to understand."
Samantha explained trying to be sensitive to his ego,
but wanting him to understand the pain Dana also was
going through.
He sighed a bit, "I'll try. Yes, it's hard for me not
to be drawn to her. I've dreamed about it, and longed
for her too long. But I will admit, I do have
unresolved hurt that I need to work out before we move
to the next level of our relationship. Last night
Will was the only barrier between us. It was all I
could do to hang on to control when she started
whispering in my ear and kissing me. The memories of
old feelings I had for her came back in full force."
Mulder reliving the night before and the feelings that
had been awoken as Dana had cradled him in her slight
frame. He smiled to himself in anticipation but also
realizing Samantha was right.
Mulder looked toward the salon, then back to Samantha,
and said with a chuckle. "I'll never understand the
female mind -- especially Scully's." He nodded his
head in affirmation. "Your right, we don't need to
rush things. I'll try to take your advice Sam. I
can't promise how long, but I will *attempt* to let
her come to me." He said with an almost pained look
forming on his face. 'So close, and yet so far.....'
He thought to himself.
Samantha chuckled at his discomfort. She knew these
next few days were going to be interesting, but she
also knew the intense feeling between them wouldn't go
without resolve for long. "I think they have a lot of
cold water readily available Fox. Or you could just
jump in the ocean when your hormones need to be
cooled. In fact brother, I will push you overboard if
needed." Samantha assured him with a wicked little
smile and lifted eyebrow.
Mulder moaned, rolling his eyes towards the heavens,
as if asking for strength in the torturous task he
thought impossible when close to Dana.
Mulder felt relaxed and comfortable, sharing this
intimate subject with his sister. It was like a bond
that couldn't be broken, no matter how many years they
had been apart.
"I've missed you Sam. It's so good to have you back."
He smiled lovingly, and pulled her into a hug again,
wanting to reaffirm the reality of his beloved sister.
"I missed you too, Fox. I'm glad we have a whole
future to share." She said as her emotions threatened
to cause tears to flow -- this time, tears of joy.
*********************
Washington DC
Lone Gunmen Office
"We need to contact Walter Skinner for Mulder." Byers
said to his two companions who were already packed and
set to leave on their journey to the other side of the
ocean. Frohike was dressed in black pants with a
black shirt and vest.
"Don't you think you are taking this a little far
Frohike?" Byers asked, taking in the dark look
Frohike donned himself as if he were James Bond.
"You don't like my traveling clothes?" Frohike asked,
looking at his attire. Byers hung his head and shook
it, resigning himself to the long trip ahead of them.
"I could hack into the E-Mail system at the Bureau and
leave him a message." Langly suggested.
"That might work. You can leave him a message to meet
me and I can fill him in on the details." Byers
agreed.
Langly sat down at his computer and began typing
series of numbers and codes. "I'm in. It's too easy
to do this. They should hire us to prevent such an
easy breach of security." He stated still typing
consecutive codes to reach the assistant director.
"What do you want to tell him?" Langly asked pausing
while Byers thought.
"I'll meet him at the Reflecting Pool in one hour."
Byers stated. Langly began to type in the message.
When he finished he sent the message and logged off.
"I guess we all should be leaving." Byers said
picking up his bag. Frohike have you made a route
plan?" He asked.
"Yes, I am flying out of Dulles to Atlanta, then
catching a flight from there this evening." He
answered zipping his travel bag.
"Langly, where are you leaving from?" Byers asked.
"Washington National in...." he looked at his watch,
"in an hour and a half. I better get going." He said
as he picked up his bags and walked toward the door.
"We'll see you in a couple of days at the airport
where Mulder will meet us." Byers instructed him as
he opened the door to leave. Langly nodded his head
and closed the door behind him.
"I should be leaving soon too, my flight to Atlanta
leaves in a couple of hours. I don't want anyone to
follow me, so I'll take the long route to the
airport." Frohike said getting into this James Bond
undercover operation.
"Very well, we will rendezvous in two days. Be
careful." Byers said shaking Frohike's hand.
Frohike picked up his bags and heaved them over his
shoulder with a grunt.
"What do you have in those bags?" Byers asked
noticing the discomfort as he slung it over his
shoulder.
"Surveillance equipment, you never know what you may
see in exotic places." He said as he displayed a
wicked smile. Byers rolled his eyes as Frohike exited
the building, closing the door behind him. He hoped
Frohike would behave himself around Dana. They had
enough problems without having to fish Frohike out of
the sea.
Byers looked at his watch and picked up his bags,
ready to meet A.D. Skinner in just under and hour. He
walked to the door and looked around making sure
everything was secured for their absence. Satisfied,
he turned on the alarm system, turned off the lights,
and pulled the door closed locking it, and throwing
the different dead bolts into place. He looked around
satisfying his paranoid nature that he hadn't been
observed.
*****************
"Yes." The man asked as an exhale of smoke escaped
his lips.
"They have left sir, do you want us to follow them?"
The man asked.
"Yes, don't let them out of sight. Your life depends
on it." The voice said with a pause as he inhaled
another puff of smoke. "Report back to me when you
have established their destination." The voice said,
and then a click signified he had hung up.
*****************
Byers stood nervously in front of the Reflection Pool
hoping Skinner had received his message. He checked
his watch again, less than 10 minutes remained before
he had to leave. He looked around again trying to
spot the man he needed to speak with.
A few moment later he spotted the ramrod straight
ex-marine as he strolled across the lawn toward the
Reflecting Pool. Byers walked swiftly to close the
gap between them.
"You have a message for me?" Skinner asked not
bothering with introductions.
"My colleagues and I are on our way to meet Mulder.
He didn't go into details, but he wanted you to know
that he was safe and from what I understand he is with
Dana Scully." Byers said looking at Skinner and then
surveying the area for intruders to their private
conversation.
"I see. I am aware of people searching for all of
them. Do you know if they have his sister Samantha?"
Skinner asked scanning the area.
"No, all I know is Mulder received a letter from Dana
Scully a few days ago asking for his help and
uhm......" He paused wondering if he should reveal
the rest of his news. Skinner looked at Byers with a
raised eyebrow.
"Yes, is there something else?" He asked narrowing
his eyes behind his glasses.
"Well, it seems Mulder has a set of uhm......twins
that Agent Scully hadn't told him about." Byers said
looking down at his feet feeling the guilt again that
had plagued him for so long.
Skinner huffed a laugh and raised his head up to the
sky. "I never could keep those two out of trouble.
So that is the misunderstanding they had before Scully
left. "I wonder if anyone else knows about this?" He
mumbled mostly to himself. He was more afraid for the
little ones rather than Scully and Mulder, if the
Consortium knew they shared offspring. He let out a
sigh, buried his hands in his pockets and looked at
Byers.
"Is there anything I can do for you? You know they
are being sought by a part of the government that
spans the world don't you? They are in a consider
amount of danger." Skinner stated with a tight look
on his face, concerned that additional innocent lives
could be in possible danger.
"No, but we are taking precautions as we travel. Even
that can't be fool proof. If you hear anything, this
is a secured access code to send a message. I will
check it daily from where we are." Byers handed
Skinner a piece of paper with a series of numbers
printed on it. Skinner took it and read the
information, then slipped it inside he jacket pocket.
"I can't tell you where we are going, for security
reasons, just in case we're being followed." Byers
said almost apologetically.
"I understand. I will contact you if I hear anything
of use to you. Tell Mulder and Scully I look forward
to seeing them again." He said with a stoic look not
wanting to reveal the fear he felt for the fugitives
sought by powerful forces.
"Don't be fooled, these people you are dealing with
are extremely dangerous. They have no concern for
human life if it means exposure of their agenda."
Skinner said as he turned to leave Byers.
Byers nodded his head in confirmation and moved off in
the opposite direction, parting without another word.
In the distance a man watched them as he threw his
still lit cigarette on the ground before he walked
away. He pulled a cell phone out of his pocket and
dialed a number.
"Did you record the conversation?" He asked.
A man sitting in a white van parked near the area
where Byers and Skinner has spoken answered, "yes, we
heard the entire conversation and it is recorded for
the others to hear." The man stated, hesitated
slightly then continued. "It seems Mulder and Scully
have an additional cause for us to find them." The
voice almost purred over the phone. "They have
children together."
"Very interesting. Looks like another Mulder
generation will be available for the project. Did
they say anything about Samantha Mulder?" He asked as
he pulled another cigarette out of the pack from his
pocket.
"No, but I'm sure she is with them." The voice
answered.
"Very well, don't let them escape this time. The
group will be very disappointed if they evade capture
again." He ended the conversation by pushing the end
button and taking a long drag from his cigarette. He
put the phone back in his jacket pocket and walked
away murmuring to himself.
"Well Carolyn Mulder, grandchildren how nice." He
huffed out with a laugh.
*****************
100 Miles
Off the Coast of Barcelona
The afternoon faded into a splendid sunset on the
waters of the Mediterranean. The adults were gathered
on the top deck enjoying the colorful sight, and warm
early evening peacefulness. As the yacht cruised
along at a slow speed, they leisurely moved around the
deck. Glenda stood in front of the grill flipping
hamburgers as Dana and Samantha placed plates and
condiments on the table for their dinner. The
children were still in the main salon watching the end
of a movie that had kept them engrossed for the last
couple of hours. Katie watched over the little ones,
making sure they didn't get into trouble.
As the daylight faded and the sky darkened, the stars
began to flicker on like light switches, igniting
their brightness reflecting off the rising moon.
Mulder sat in a comfortable lounge chair with his eyes
closed enjoying the quietness. Even with the peace he
was experiencing, something nagged his conscious mind
about traveling to Marseilles again so soon. He tried
to put it out of his mind knowing he hadn't been
followed. Passing it off as years of learned paranoia
settling on him as normal as breathing. He tried to
relax and let out a sigh of contentment as his
companions moved around him preparing for dinner.
"I think Fox could become a real bum in no time Dana."
Samantha said bumping Mulder's lounge as she walked
past him.
Mulder opened one eye, looked at her, then closed it
smiling. "I could be contemplating our next move.
Intelligent minds need to regroup in a peaceful
contentment." He tried to convince his sister who had
stopped her preparations and now stood over him with
her hands on her hips.
"Intelligent mind huh? More like lounge chair
lizard." She said snickering as she moved away to
continue helping Dana. Mulder smiled without opening
his eyes content to sit in the peaceful early evening
breeze.
The sounds of feet running across the deck alert him
to eminent danger. He opened his eyes as two bodies
hurled themselves on him. He braced himself as they
climbed on top of him.
"Hey, did you finish the movie?" Mulder asked looking
into mischievous eyes.
Will nodded his head. "Yes, Katie turned it off for
us." He answered sitting on top of Mulder's midriff
and looking at Dana.
"I'm hungry." He stated adjusting himself to a
comfortable using his father as a cushion.
"Me too." Sarah joined in sitting on Mulder's legs.
"Dinner will be ready in a minute or two. Did you
wash your hands?" Glenda asked from the grill.
Sarah and Will looked at each other as their eyes grew
large. They slid off Mulder and stood on the deck.
"Come on Daddy, you can help us." Sarah pulled on
Mulder's arm.
"Okay." Mulder grunted as he sat up from his relaxed
position knowing his peace and quiet had come to an
end. He rose and allow the Uber Mulders to drag him
toward the hallway leading to the bathroom.
"Don't over exert yourself Mulder." Dana said with a
smirk as they walked by her. Mulder didn't have time
to answer her as the children dragged him into the
interior of the boat.
"I think I'll let him give them a bath tonight. He
might as well experience more of the parental
pleasures kids have to offer." Dana smiled thinking
of the sight of a drenched Mulder begging his children
not to drown him as they bathed.
"That might be very entertaining, Dana." Samantha
said with smile trying to envision the sight of a wet
Fox in a drenched bathroom. "We should pull up chairs
and make popcorn. It ought to be quite a show."
"Good idea. I'll bring the camera." Dana added
laughing.
"What's a good idea?" Mulder asked as he re-emerged
with children following him drying their hands by
shaking them as they walked.
"Oh, nothing much. I was telling Samantha that I
think I'll let you bathe the children tonight." She
said trying not to smile too broadly.
"Yippee, can we take a bubble bath in your bathtub?"
Will asked jumping up and down looking at Dana.
"Well Fox, what do you say?" Dana said innocently
trying hard not to burst out laughing at the look of
fear appearing on Mulder's face. Samantha covered her
mouth and turned toward the grill so Fox wouldn't see
her amusement.
"Uhm.....all right.," he hesitantly said, "I think."
He murmured to himself as Sarah and Will jumped up and
down holding his hand jerking his arms.
Dana slipped over to the grill and quietly said.
"Chocolate, definitely a chocolate show, forget the
popcorn." All three women laughed as a suspicious Fox
Mulder watched them.
**********
After dinner the children dragged Mulder into the
bathroom. Scully followed them gathering their night
clothes from the bedroom and placed them out of harms
way. She and Samantha watched from the doorway as
Mulder read the instructions off the bubble bath
bottle. He poured the instructed amount and recapped
the bottle setting it next to the tub.
Sarah and Will stripped their clothes and climbed into
the tub immediately splashing water in Mulder's face.
He jumped back a bit wiping his face and wondering
what he'd allowed himself to be talked into. Dana
retrieved the video camera to film the scene before
her as Samantha covered her mouth so as not to alert
them to their presence.
"Turn on the jets, Daddy so we'll have more bubbles."
Sarah pleaded with her father. He reached up and
flicked on the motor and squeals broke out as the
children sat in front of the sprays of water.
Dana and Samantha remained quiet as Mulder sat and
watched Will and Sarah play in the bubbles.
"We need more bubbles." Will announced.
"I think that is enough." Mulder answered.
"Please, Daddy. Mommy always gives us more bubbles."
Sarah charmed her father with a flash of her bright
eyes and pouty lips.
"Oh, all right, how much more do you want?" He asked
picking up the bottle pouring a stream of the soap
into the water. "Is that enough?" He asked as he
noticed the bubbles began to spill out of the bath
tub.
Will stood up and blew a large handful of bubbles in
Mulder's face. Dana and Samantha were almost in
stitches as Mulder wiped the soap out of his wet face
and hair.
Dana thought about rescuing him seeing his distress,
but refrained knowing he needed to experience this
part of parenthood. 'Besides,' she thought, "it was
just to funny to interrupt."
After another half hour of splashing and cheerful
cries, Mulder decided it was time for his children to
exit their bath. He felt like he needed to dry out
himself being soaked from head to toe. Dana continued
to film the action going on before her. Samantha left
to attend to Katie.
"I think you two are turning into prunes, let me rinse
your hair Sarah." Mulder turned on the faucet as
Sarah moved to allow him to rinse the bubbles out of
her hair. When finished, he retrieved a towel and
gathered Sarah into his arms. He gathered her close
and their eyes locked. She puckered her lips and he
smiled as he gave her a peck on her little lips,
hugged her tightly and began to dry her little body.
"That was fun Daddy." Sarah said as Mulder retrieved
her night gown from the vanity. She raised her arms
as he slipped it over her head. He picked up her
panties and looked at them then her. He handed the
flowered panties to her. "Here, you can put these on
can't you?" Mulder asked with the slight distress at
handling little girl's under garments.
"Yes." Sarah answered accepting the panties, raising
her gown to put them on.
Dana giggled to herself still filming as Mulder turned
back to the tub and pulled Will out and dried him as
he stood on the wet floor.
"You have to dry my hair." Will said. Mulder nodded
his head and moved him toward the vanity. He dropped
the towel and helped Will dress then picked him up and
placed him on a chair and began drying his hair. Dana
moved a little closer to film the challenge of drying
Will's hair. After a few minutes, Mulder turned off
the hairdryer and dropped it on the counter.
"This will have to do Will, I'm no hairdresser." He
said looking at Will's flying hair standing on and end
going every which way, but down.
Will jumped down and ran toward Dana who had stopped
the camera and smiled at her son as he hurried past
her with Sarah following.
"So Fox, how do you like parenting so far?" Dana and
Samantha giggled as he turned toward them.
"Ha ha. Very funny. I don't suppose you want to help
me clean this mess up do you?" He asked surveying the
wet bathroom and the two women suppressing their
smiles from the doorway.
"Pass, this is part of parenting too." Dana said
trying hard not to laugh at the wet man looking around
at the mess he had to clean up.
"We'll be outside when your done." Samantha barely
said before she ducked out of the doorway and into
Dana's bedroom.
**********
After cleaning the bathroom and a lengthy story,
Mulder dragged himself to the upper deck to join
Samantha and Dana as they enjoyed the beauty of the
starry night.
He plopped down in a chair looking worn out. He
dropped his head backwards propping it on the back of
the chair and sighed.
"I need a drink." Mulder said closing his eyes.
Dana and Samantha looked at each other and laughed so
hard they leaned forward holding their stomachs. They
couldn't suppress the enjoyment they were experiencing
at Mulder's expense.
He lifted his head and gave them a dirty look and then
leaned his head back again.
"Mulder, are you ready to see the lab now?" Dana
asked calming her laughter.
"In a minute, I need to rest after........." He faded
off into sleep. Dana and Samantha stood and slipped
down the stairs allowing him a power nap.
**********
Dulles International Airport
Washington DC
Byers entered the airport walking to the British
Airways ticket counter to retrieve his ticket for
Milan. He looked around as he strolled through the
crowded lobby looking for suspicious on-lookers. He
stood in line behind two people waiting for his turn.
Casting a quick glance at his watch and then the
departure schedule, he determined he had an hour
before his flight. An uneasy drifted over him as he
stepped up to the counter.
"I have a reservation and prepaid ticket under the
name of David Strattford." He said as he handed the
ticket agent his passport. She looked at the
passport, then typed his name into the computer.
"Yes, Mr. Strattford, you are booked on British
Airways 116 leaving at 8:20 PM and arriving in Milan
at 9:45 AM. Is this correct?" She asked.
"Yes, one way only." He answered looking around again
then back to the agent. She handed him the ticket.
"Enjoy your flight sir." She said smiling at him as
he accepted the ticket and moved toward the
international concourse.
Byers couldn't shake the feeling someone was watching
him as he made his way down the concourse to his gate.
He looked over his shoulder and couldn't see anyone
following him. He shifted his bag on his shoulder
and walked into the men's room near his gate.
Byers put down his bag and opened it acting like he
was searching for an article as he sat own on the
bench seat. He watched as a couple of men walked in
and used the facilities and left. He noticed a rather
mysterious looking man enter the restroom and walk to
the sink washing his hands. He looked up and caught
the man's eyes. Byers' breath caught in his throat as
he tried not to seem alerted. He calmly pulled out
his comb and walked to the mirror and combed his hair
as the mysterious man finished washing his hands and
moved toward the door. Byers knew what he had to do,
walking back to his bags and he stuffed the comb and
zipped the bag. He threw one bag over his shoulder
and picked up the carry on and walked toward the door.
When he exited the bathroom, he could feel eyes boring
into his back as he walked toward his gate. He had to
find a way to escape, but not alert his suspect. He
sat in the waiting area for a while forming a plan,
and acting as if he were concentrating on the book
held in his hand.
Growing restless, he put the book down and calmly
moved to the window and looked at the reflection of
the crowd behind him. He stole a glimpse of the
mysterious man standing off to the right in the next
waiting area. He quickly averted his eyes to not
alert the man he was aware of his presence.
"Passengers on British Airways flight 116 can begin
boarding at this time." The ticket agent announced.
Byers casually walked to his bags and picked them up
moving to stand in line to enter the aircraft. He
knew this particular aircraft was equipped with an
elevator to the bottom level of the plane. He had to
figure out a way to get down the elevator and exit
cargo hold without anyone seeing him.
He handed his ticket to the flight attendant and
walked down the flight ramp to the plane. As he
entered the plane he was greeted by another flight
attendant who took his boarding pass and pointed where
he could locate his seat.
Byers calmly made his way back to the galley area
where he knew he could gain access to the elevator.
He carefully looked around and didn't see the man
following him. He reached the galley and was lucky
enough for it to be empty.
He opened the door to the elevator stepped in closing
it gently behind him. Pressing the down button he
descended to the lower level.
When the elevator stopped, Byers looked around before
opening the door. As the knob clicked and opened, he
could hear voices in the distance. He stepped out,
his eyes roaming the area, then quietly closed the
door.
Large crates stood to his left so he stepped behind
them to separate him from the voices and keep him out
of sight. The male voices grew louder as they moved
toward the elevator. He waited until the men dropped
what they were carrying and moved back in the
direction they originated from.
Byers looked around the crates and noticed the open
cargo door. He moved swiftly to the door and looked
around cautiously before stepping out in the open. He
pulled back as he heard the sound of a luggage tram
coming close to the entrance. The driver brought the
tram to a halt and jumped off to unload the luggage he
transported.
Byers was startled when he heard something heavy drop.
He froze when the two men began cursing and yelling
for help from the tram operator. The man on the
luggage tram left his cargo and ran to help his
co-workers. Byers took the opportunity to make his
escape. He jumped down the side of the ramp and moved
toward the building, glad he hadn't checked any
luggage when he arrived.
With caution, he moved into the terminal avoiding the
main lobby as he made his way to the exit. He
nervously stood at the curb and raised his hand
motioning for a cab. He didn't have to wait long as a
yellow car pulled up beside him. The driver jumped
out walking to the rear of the car where Byers met
him. The driver opened the trunk as Byers lifted his
luggage and placed in the car. The driver shut it and
they both climbed into the vehicle.
"BWI Airport please." He said to the cab driver. He
relaxed a bit when the cab pulled away from the curb.
He looked out the back of the cab and didn't see
anyone following him. He turned around and sighed
heavily. This was going to be more difficult than he
originally thought. He hoped Mulder had enough money
to cover all these expenses. He pulled out another
passport in the name of Jeffrey Burgess. He was glad
they were in the business where he could have as many
alias as he needed. As they sped through the night,
Byers had to make an alternate plan to reach his
destination on time. He hoped Frohike and Langly were
being as cautious.
**********
Off the Coast of Barcelona
Fox Mulder woke with a start and winced as he lifted
his head from the back of the chair. He looked at his
watch -- 10:30pm. He had been asleep for an hour. He
yawned as he rose from his chair and walked down to
the main salon. No one was there. He descended the
stairs and walked into the galley. No one. "They
have to be somewhere around here." He said to
himself.
"Dana, Samantha." Mulder called out as he walked down
the hall toward a part of the yacht he hadn't explored
before. He came to a steel door and knocked. In a
few moments he heard a click and the door opened.
Dana stood there motioning for him to come in. She
moved back to her computer where she typed in a series
of numbers, and hit enter.
Mulder looked at the equipment lining the walls of the
room. His eyes grew larger noticing the high tech
machinery. He walked behind Dana where she sat in
front of a computer, watching her type.
"What are you doing?" He asked.
"Trying to send a message to my mother. Bill taught
me how to send a message without it being traced.
I've been working on this for a couple of days now.
She must be terribly worried about us. I haven't
spoken to her since....in a month." Dana explained as
she entered another string of information and hit
enter.
"Mom bought a computer a little over a year ago.
We've stayed in touch by using chat rooms, E-mail, but
I'm not sure that is secure enough so I am sending her
an untraceable message." Dana bit her bottom lip, and
tapped the mouse button. "There, I think I've got
it." She said as she began typing in a message.
Mag,
Hope things are well. How about a Fox hunt? The
hounds are close, but the Fox is safe. The weather is
beautiful, how would you like to take a trip? Hope to
see you soon.
Kath
Scully hit the send button and logged off. She turned
around and looked at the puzzled man staring at the
screen.
"What did you tell her?" Mulder asked.
"When I was a teenager, I started calling her Mag, to
aggravate her mostly. She retaliated by calling me
Kath because she knew I didn't like to be called
Katherine. I wanted her to know it was me sending the
message. No other person knows those names. I was
letting her know you are with me and that she might be
in danger. We discussed the coded language when she
visited us as the project became more intense. I'm
afraid they will try to get to me through her," Dana
said looking at the computer screen, "I wish I could
talk to her, but I know her phone is tapped. Bill
installed a tracking system on our phones which
indicates tracing or interruption of a call. When I
called Mom right after Bill died, it showed her phone
was being tapped. After that, I had Girard change all
our numbers and rework the phone system so they, whom
ever is tapping her phone, wouldn't be able to
recognize the number or trace it back to us." Dana
explained as she turned toward Mulder and stood.
"This equipment is a conglomerate of technology. I
don't know much about it, Bill was the computer brains
of the partnership." She stopped suddenly regretting
using the term knowing Mulder wouldn't appreciate the
reference. She looked into his eyes and could see
resentment from the comment. She knew the next
confrontation was about to happen.
"Mulder, I know this is hard for your to accept. It
would be hard for me to accept. But I believe if you
will read my journal entries you will understand my
decisions. Then we can discuss whatever you want. I
promised I would answer all your questions, I know
you still have several running through your mind."
She looked away breaking the intense stare he had on
her.
"I don't think I can adequately explain my reasoning
better than the words I wrote to you in my journal."
Dana almost pleaded with her voice. She felt closed
in all of a sudden, and moved for the door to make a
hasty retreat.
"I'll give you a keycard and the combination of
numbers to open the door to the lab. You must be
careful when entering and leaving the lab, it is set
up with a special alarm system for intruders." She
explained. Mulder glanced at the white plastic
keycard she had in her hand. He smiled to himself
when he noticed the Apollo 11 keychain he had given
her for her birthday years before.
"I have to check with Girard about our sailing
coordinates." Dana tried to leave, but Mulder stopped
her by reaching for her arm.
"Isn't your reluctance to discuss your reasoning
running away again? Didn't you tell me you had
stopped doing that?" He asked abruptly.
"The fact that I am sharing my journal with you, in
order for you to understand what my mind was going
through is allowing you into the most private part of
my life. That isn't running away at all, it is
bearing my innermost part to you willingly." Dana
said focusing on his chest.
"I had my reasons, whether they were right or wrong.
You have to understand, I did what I thought best at
the time." Mulder let her arm go, and she continued
advancing to the door.
Dana turned around and looked to the computer she had
just abandoned and then shifted her gaze back to
Mulder. "If you want to go on-line and do some
surfing, be my guest," She told him as she inserted
the keycard and opened the door.
He looked at the computer then back to Dana shaking
his head. "No I'm tired, I think I'll turn in."
Mulder replied, following Dana out of the lab.
Dana smiled as she turned away remembering the sight
in the bathroom and his worn-out look when he came out
onto the deck. Punching in a series of numbers, the
door slid shut with a click indicating the door was
secured. When she turned around Mulder was standing
in front of her just a little too close for comfort.
She looked up into his soft questioning hazel eyes.
"Did you mean the words you spoke to me last night?"
He asked not letting go of her gaze.
"Yes........yes, I did, I meant every word. But
Mulder, things still aren't right between us yet. I
can feel it, and when Bill is mentioned, I see in your
eyes the unresolved anger you have for me. We need
time to work out the problems of the past before we
can continue in the future." She said almost
hypnotized by his intense hazel eyes. Dana could feel
the electricity between them as they stood so close,
it scared her, but couldn't move away.
As he looked into her azure eyes it was impossible for
him to deny he wanted her badly at that moment.
Mulder could feel his desire rising as he stared into
her soul. He wanted nothing more than to take her
back to his room and relive the passion they shared so
long ago. He felt his body beckoning a return of the
closeness. If he kissed her, right now, he believed
she would succumb to his advances. He leaned his head
down toward her, but stopped when uncertainty
reflected back to him through her clear eyes. He
decided to take Samantha's advice and moved away from
her dropping his eyes to the floor as he walked to the
stairs.
"I'll see you in the morning." He said almost
defeated as he walked to the stairs and ascended them
slowly.
Dana watched him disappear and let out a sigh as she
leaned against the metal door for support. She knew
her body could not resist the advances of Fox Mulder
no matter how much she felt a need to. She wanted to
relive the love and tenderness that had remained
embedded in her mind after all the years they had been
apart. She knew the reunion was still new and the
surroundings had kept his mind from focusing on her
past betrayal. She believed if he understood her
thoughts, he possibly could forgive her completely and
they could live in harmony.
No matter how much they wanted to give Sarah and Will
a home and family, if they could not establish trust
between one another again, it would not be a happy
life. But Dana also couldn't lie to herself, about
how much longer she could deny her body and heart what
she wanted most. And that was to share her life with
Fox Mulder completely. Dana exhale a heavy sigh, and
pushed herself away from the wall, making her way down
the hall to the stairs that led to the helm. She
climbed them and quietly slipped into the room where
Girard was programming coordinates into the computer.
"Dana, I believe we are safely off the coast about 100
miles. I want to anchor the boat for the night. I
don't want to be too far off shore if the weather
turns foul." He said looking from the computer
screen to the weather radar for the updated report.
"Girard, do you think it is safe to return to
Marseilles so soon? I mean if the Consortium knows
about the yacht, even if we change the name it is hard
to conceal with it's enormous size." She asked
looking out the small bridge's window and into the
darkness beyond.
"I can do some checking Dana, I must agree that
returning anywhere we have been isn't wise." He
answered following her stare out over the water, and
then back down to the computer screen he had been
working on when she entered.
"I have a bad feeling, I can't pinpoint it, but I
think we need to put some distance between us and the
mainland for awhile. At least until we can decide our
next plan of action. I think you, Mulder and I should
sit down tomorrow and come up with a plan." She said
looking at Girard who turned his attention to her and
away from the computer screen.
"We're picking up three friends of Mulder's in
Marseilles. I'll do some checking and see what type
of resources I can come up with to have them meet us
in a different location. Don't worry, these guys are
more paranoid than you and I will ever be Girard.
They will be careful while traveling here. Trust me."
Dana chuckled imagining to what lengths the three men
must be going through to be inconspicuous.
*********************
Mulder walked into his room and closed the door. He
intended to read the journal entries Dana had written
to him. He wanted to make sense of the explanation he
had processed from a few days before. He knew he
loved her more than his own life, but the anger of
being denied the knowledge of his children and left in
a lonely existence for the last four years grew inside
his mind.
Mulder noticed a box on his bed that hadn't been there
before. He took the lid off the box to reveal several
video tapes. He remembered Dana telling him she had
made a library of Will and Sarah's lives. He read the
labels --12/10/97, 12/15/97 - Birth date of Sarah
Elizabeth and William Christopher.
Mulder picked up the tape and stared at it for a
moment, then he crossed over to the television and
picked up the remote control. Slipping it in the VCR,
he waited for a second until he heard the clicking the
machine accepting the tape. Then turned and walked
back to his bed removing his clothes, save his boxers,
he laid them on the bed. Mulder grabbed a couple of
pillows from under the bed spread and walked to the
couch. His feelings were swirling in his head as he
put the pillows on the leather sofa, and settled in
for a view of the birth of his children.
He turned on the television with a click of the
remote. He then hit the *play* button and the tape
player came to life.
The screen lit up with the sight of Dana looking like
she had a huge basketball under her tented shirt. She
looked beautiful, but weary, as if she had been
struggling to carry the load that weighed her down.
"Mulder, in a few days I will deliver these two." She
ran her hands over the roundness under her shirt. She
smiled at the camera as she spoke and Mulder felt his
breath catch in his throat as his emotions stirred
again.
"They're going to be early, but the doctor is afraid
to let me go much further. Seems they are tapping all
my energy. I wanted you to see them before and
after." She said turning around to display a
panoramic view of her body. Then she reached for the
button toward the camera and she disappeared into
blackness.
The next scene that came to life, and from the looks
of the equipment, Mulder was able to identify it as a
hospital delivery room.
His eyes widened at the sight of Dana soaked with
sweat and gasping on the screen.
"Okay Dana, your doing fine. Just a couple more
pushes and you'll be through." Mulder heard an
unidentified female say to the panting red-head who
looked like she had run a marathon, she was soaked
with perspiration.
"I'm too tired, I can't push anymore." Dana said as a
hand wiped her brow. "You said this would go fast,
it's been eight hours and I'm exhausted." She said
with a raspy low voice. Mulder recognized the low
sounding Scully voice he enjoyed so many times before.
"Come on Dana, you can do this. Just a one more time,
okay." Mulder heard the voice of Margaret Scully and
then her face was in view of the camera as she bent
down close to Dana's face. "Just think, if you try
just one more time, you can rest and your children
will be here. And Dana, I want to see my
grandchildren. OKAY?" She encouraged her daughter.
Dana nodded and girded herself for another assault on
her small tired body.
"Okay Dana, when I say push give it all you've got."
The female voice told her. Dana rose up and took in a
deep breath. Then gritting her teeth, she bore down
and pushed with all her might. The sweat dripped off
her hair, and her face was distorted with the effort.
"That's good, keep going , keep going. I see the
head, it's coming out. Don't give up Dana." The
voice said. Margaret held Dana's hand and her back as
Dana pushed with all her might. She was as ready as
everyone else to shed this load that she had carried
for the last eight months. Though the doctors decided
the twins had to make an early appearance, it had been
expected so she didn't mind. The pressure and weight
of them had fatigued and given her aches and pains
everywhere, in every position.
"I've got the head, push Dana." The voice commanded.
Dana took another breath and bore down harder, even
though she didn't believe she could.
"Here we go," exclaimed the voice, that Mulder had by
now determined as the doctor, informed Dana and her
mom as she caught the bloody baby. "It's a boy."
She reached for the clamps and scissors to cut the
cord. An assistant took the baby from the doctor
after she cut the cord and disappeared from the
camera's sight.
Mulder could feel Dana's exhaustion as he watched the
scene before him. He felt her pain as she laid back
to rest for the final delivery. Margaret wiped her
brow as Dana looked at her mom with weary eyes.
"Is he okay Mom, can you tell if he is okay?" Dana
said in an almost panicked voice. Then she heard him
cry out. She looked at her mom and laughed as though
she was hearing the sweetest sound she thought she
ever would hear.
It was cut too short by another pain assaulting her.
"AAHHHHH." She yelled as she grabbed her abdomen.
"Dana, we have one more that wants to join the world.
You have to find the strength the push this little one
out." The doctor said as the baby boy screamed in the
background. Dana rose with the help of her mother one
last time and gritted her teeth as she prepared to
bring her second child into the world.
The camera moved to where the crying originated. The
nurses were carefully bathing the angry little
squirming baby. Mulder's mouth turned up into a faint
smile as he observed his son protesting being
disturbed from his comfortable dwelling place. The
camera moved back to Dana and Margaret.
Dana grunted loudly and Mulder swore she said a few
curse words with his name added under her breath as
she pushed again. He could feel her exasperation as
she suffered through another long strenuous push to
deliver his second child.
Suddenly, he felt sadden by the fact that he hadn't
been there to comfort her and hold her hand through
this time. He was thankful Dana had her mother to
give her support, but it didn't assuage the
helplessness he felt as he viewed the tape.
Scully gave another determined cry as she pushed with
her remaining strength. "Here's the head, keep going
Dana, we're almost there. The doctor encouraged as
Dana's face turned as red as her fiery hair. Her eyes
closed tightly as the force of the baby appeared
between her legs. The camera moved to where he could
see Sarah appearing to the world for the first time.
Her face was small and her eyes were closed as if
refusing to accept her new surroundings.
"I've got the head and shoulders, a little
more.......that's good," the doctor said as she
helped Dana by pulling the baby after the shoulders
had cleared the opening. "It's a girl!" The physician
declared as Dana fell back onto the table and gasped.
She looked at her mother who wiped her brow again and
smiled at her.
"It's all over sweetheart." Margaret Scully pushed
Dana's wet hair from her face, as they heard the
second cry and Dana seem to relax all the way, then
she began to cry. Mulder could almost feel the relief
that flooded her at that moment as if he were right
there with her. He exhaled a heavy breath.
"I did it Mulder." She stated as she looked in the
camera and it faded to black. Mulder felt his eyes
water at the short message she had spoken to him.
"You sure did." He whispered back to her as he wiped
the tears that escaped from his eyes.
When the picture flashed again it was a hospital room.
Mulder could see Dana with two babies cradled in her
arms facing the camera.
"Fox, I want you to meet your children -- William
Christopher, after you and my father's middle name.
Dana nodded toward her left to identify which child
she was introducing. Then she looked to her right.
This is Sarah Elizabeth -- Sarah by my choice and
Elizabeth after my mom." She bent down and kissed
both children without looking in the camera. Then the
picture faded once more to black.
Mulder could feel the tears fall down his cheeks as
his emotions erupted at the realization of the
miraculous sight he had missed. He was thankful for
the tape and that he would always be able to relive
the moments of Sarah and Will's birth. Turning off
the recorder and the television, he rose from the sofa
and walked into the bathroom. It took a splash of
cold water on his face to bring his raw emotions under
control. He felt numb as he looked at himself in the
mirror and saw the pain that he felt in his heart.
Pushing himself away from the sink, he walked back
into his room and grabbed his shorts yanking them on
his body with angry force, then he pulled his T-shirt
over his head without straighten his mussed hair. He
spied the journal laying on the bed, and walked over
and picked it up. Staring at the leather bound pages,
he moved his finger over it tracing the edges. 'How
could she do this to me?' He thought bitterly as he
walked toward the door. He walked into the hallway
and followed it to the upper deck where he hoped he
could calm his raging anger by reading her words. But
right then all he wanted to do was scream at being
denied what he had force to witness on the merest of
video tape.
Mulder was hit by the warm breeze as he emerged from
the interior of the boat. He took a deep breath to
ease his troubled mind and looked around for the light
switch. With a flick of his finger the outer deck
flooded with light. He walked to a cushioned lounge
chair settling himself into a comfortable position.
Mulder was amazed that he hadn't been sea sick since
boarding the boat. He remembered his discomfort when
they were on the boat where they almost lost their
lives to premature aging. He shook the memory from
his head not wanting to jinx his good fortune and
focused on book of Dana's handwriting before him. He
opened it to the first page.
JOURNAL ENTRY
July 4, 1997
Dear Mulder,
I'm beginning these journal entries of my thoughts and
feelings for you to ease my troubled mind and heart.
And that you might know me more intimately as I share
my reasons for what I have done. I will share my
heart with you, not my scientific mind or analysis.
My innermost desire is for you to know my mind as I
face the future with much anticipation and yet with
much apprehension of the unknown.
It is Independence Day today, though the British do
not consider it a day of declaring freedom. More of a
day of loss as they remember reluctantly letting go of
an independent society so many years ago. This is my
independence day of letting go of secrets buried deep
within myself and allowing the freedom of confession
to lift my spirit and give me a reason to believe. I
need to believe that we will forever be partners --
even if only in spirit.
I hope by sharing the progress of my pregnancy, it
will ease some of the pain I know I will have caused
you when you find out about the baby. And to ease the
pain that I do not wish to pass on to our child. For
if I keep this pain locked inside of me, it will truly
cause this little one much anxiety even before taking
its first breath. We have known too much of this in
the past Mulder, and I do not wish for the pain to
continue into another generation.
This journal was a gift from Bill to help me through
the next several months. In turn, it is my gift to
you with hope you will find answers in my confessions.
Thank you for taking this journey with me as we have
experienced many in the past. My thoughts are with
you always.
Love,
Scully
---------
July 5, 1997
Dear Mulder,
I need to explain why I have taken the path I have
chosen. I want to apologize, first of all, for the
thoughtlessness I bestowed upon you, as I waged my war
of imbalanced emotion and jealousy. I have condemned
myself repeatedly for losing my control and hurting
you as well as myself. I know you feel betrayed by
the only person you trusted. For this I am truly
sorry. For I feel I have abandoned you at our most
critical hour. Although the desire of my heart is to
confess the secret which I hide from you, I am
reminded of the danger we both face should forces
beyond our control attempt to intervene in our lives
by this truth. My heart is heavy, but I believe this
path is the best for our situation.
As my body changes and my emotions fluctuate, I marvel
at the closeness I feel for the embryo growing inside
me. You once stated that you *never saw me as a
mother*. Those words troubled me for a long time. I
became so wrapped up in our crusade for the truth that
I did not hear my life beckoning the natural desire to
procreate. Now, by some miracle, I am fortunate
enough to be able to carry a life inside of me, and I
cherish being able to experience being a mother at
last.
It finally settled on me after I learned I was
pregnant. At first, I felt afraid and ashamed. I am
an unwed mother bringing shame to my family as well as
my reputation that I guarded much more before the
X-Files, I must confess. Do not blame yourself for
this loss, I would much rather experienced the things
I did while working with the X-Files than an unspotted
reputation. But, I am glad my father is not here to
witness my betrayal of family honor.
After I finished condemning myself, I began to feel
the thrill of having a life growing inside of me, that
I may love and cherish as my own flesh and blood. To
somehow understand, though very limited, the words
Mrs. Peacock spoke to me when we tried to rescue her
in Home, Pennsylvania. She said I would never
understand the love between a mother and her children
until I had one of my own. She, though sporting a
distorted view of love, was correct in her analysis.
I have come to feel what true love is. It is the same
kind of love my mother felt for each of us. I have
only been pregnant for a short time, but my mind
wanders to what will happen when this child grows and
leaves the safety of my arms.
I hope you understand where I am leading you with this
long entry. I want this child to be safe. If that
means sacrificing my happiness, or even yours, so be
it. I will do everything in my power to protect, and
allow this living being the opportunities to grow up
in a world not shadowed with fear and anxiety, but
love and comfort.
I am sorry I have sacrificed your future along with
mine. But, I will walk this path with strength and
belief that I am embarking on a journey that I fear we
can not walk together.
You must know, that you are always in my heart. We
are bound together in a journey regardless of your
knowledge. And my decisions, though you may not
agree, are my own.
Love,
Dana
Mulder read the last hand-written entry and thought
about what she said. He could tell she felt fear. Of
what? Him? Was she telling him she feared the same
fate that Samantha suffered would befall their
offspring? He put the book down for a moment and
looked out at the starry sky.
'What did his future hold for these children? Would
it be better to walk away from them and Dana ensuring
their safety?' He thought as he stared out at the
stars. Maybe when this mission was accomplished he
would not hold on to the ties that would bind his
children to the fears he had experienced for his life
since Samantha was taken.
His thoughts were interrupted as he looked up and saw
Will walking toward him. Without a word he held his
arms out for the sleepy little boy to join him, which
he did settling on top of him and falling back into a
deep sleep.
'No.' He thought as he kissed the top of Will's head
and wrapped his arms loosely around him. He could
never abandon the new emotions of complete happiness
such as, feeling his son so close to him. He could
not go back to his lonely existence no matter how much
danger they would face. For together they would
conquer the demons that sought to tear their world
apart.
Mulder sighed and picked the book up again and read
several more entries as Will's even breathing and
warmth comforted him, as he battled his emotions from
the words Dana had written him long ago.
***************
46th Street, New York City
"Have you found containment for the problem?" The
manicured man asked his companion sitting across from
him.
The man exhaled a puff of smoke , "I have the problem
under control," he said trying to sound confident
when inside he was feeling anxious at the events that
caused this meeting.
"You call losing Samantha Mulder and her child under
control? They were an integral part of the project.
Now we are faced with exposure at a very critical
point. The *date* has been set and we are quickly
approaching it. Lives have been sacrificed for this
event." The heavy set man said as he paced near the
window of the darkened room lit only by small lamps.
"I have my most efficient people following suspects
that are rendezvousing with Fox Mulder, supposedly his
sister and her daughter. We intercepted a telephone
conversation Mulder made to his associates. The call
was traced to an island in the Mediterranean, I have
deployed my people to track them down, they will start
there. He took another drag from his cigarette and
eyed the group. As he exhaled he stood up and walked
toward the window. Then turned around to face the
group wanting to see their reactions to his additional
news.
"I have added information that might interest the
group." He said taking a long drag from his
cigarette, his exhale filling the small room with the
foul odor.
"I have discovered that Dana Scully Jacbos' two
children are actually Fox Mulder's, not Bill Jacobs.
This could be an added bonus to our research." He
stated hoping to deflect some of the anxiety the group
was welding at him.
"Agent Mulder? A father?" The manicured man said
with a sinister voice. "This could very well be the
leverage we need to stop his interference in the
project." He voiced narrowing his eyes to mere slits.
There was infinite silence. Then a Japanese man with
white hair spoke up. "The test we ran on Ms. Scully
did not leave her barren, we must retrieve her, at all
cost, and study her again to discover the strengths
her body yields to defeat our first attempts." He
stated and continued. "We need her DNA to give
strength to the race we are building for the future.
She could be vital to our further research." He
finished.
"Yes......," the heavy set man hissed, "make sure
she and the children are retrieved unharmed.
The cigarette smoking man bent over the ashtray on the
table and snuffed out his firestick as he prepared to
leave. "Very well, I will instruct my colleagues to
take protective precautions." He turned to leave, but
hesitated. "What do you want to do with Agent Mulder
and his sister?" He asked for instructions.
"With the new discoveries they are of little use. We
are not concerned with them anymore. Samantha and her
daughter have given us all the information we need
from them. They are to be eliminated to ensure our
secrets will not be revealed." The manicured man
stated with no remorse.
"As for Agent Mulder, we can control him as we
controlled his father. And if he becomes too much of
a nuisance, he can be eliminated also." The manicured
man stated sitting in the high backed wing chair.
As the tall thin man turned to leave, he pulled
another cigarette out of his jacket pocket and lit it
inhaling yet another nerve easing drag. "Very well.
I will keep you informed." He said as he walked out
of the room.
******************
Frohike strolled off the airplane and down the ramp to
make his way through the Heathrow airport. He looked
around as he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes.
Adjusting the heavy satchel of equipment over his
shoulder, he walked with the flow of the crowd. He
did not notice the woman, who had sat behind him on
the plane, following him. She kept a discreet
distance while observing him move towards his next
destination. She had taken extra precautions to
remain anonymous, and smiled to herself at her
craftiness.
Frohike walked into the men's room shedding his
burdens placing them on the floor in front of him. He
had an unsettling feeling that he was being watched
although he had taken every precaution with his
traveling. He used an alias, William Hall, and
watched his back for any sign of MIB's or threatening
looking characters. He walked to the sink and
splashed cool water in his face to awaken his senses.
He combed his hair and stopped in mid brush with an
idea. He finished his task and walked over to his
luggage, pulled out a surveillance camera and lens for
looking around corners. He thought it useful if he
stumbled on a topless beach at his destination. He
never wanted to pass up a chance to appreciate the
opposite sex -- no matter how they were dressed.
Frohike pulled out the camera and walked to the edge
of the wall leading out to the lobby. He moved the
camera in position, thankful it was early morning and
not many people in the airport. The last thing he
needed was to be arrested as a pervert peeking at
people. He looked out from the restroom to surveyed
the lobby. No one looked terribly out of place. A
nice looking woman standing on the other side. She
had been on the plane sitting behind him. He had
noticed her well shaped body and long legs. He
started to scan the rest of the hallway when his
instincts told him to look at her more closely. He
moved the camera lens back to her and noticed she
looked particularly interested in this particular
restroom. He snapped her picture a few times, then
ducked back into the men's room as a group of men made
their way to the lavatory. He quickly placed his
camera back in his heavy bag and sat down to form a
plan to make sure she, in fact, was following him.
He pulled a brochure out to check his
choices for travel. He studied his options and
decided he would fly to Milan and take a train as
close to Marseilles as he could and worry about the
rest when he arrived. He had time before they were to
meet Mulder. He doubted if they would leave without
him, but he didn't want to waste time possibly causing
him to be abandoned in a foreign country. He picked
up his bags and exited the men's room. He wondered
if Byers and Langly were having the same trouble as
he. But he wouldn't worry about them now, he had a
tail to loose. He thought it a shame to, because she
was quite attractive. 'Hmmmm very attractive.....'
He thought and smiled as he formed a plan.
**************
Off the Coast of Barcelona
Dana Scully watched Mulder and Will as they sat
together in the late even outside as the warm salt
breeze blew their hair slightly. She wanted to talk
to Mulder, but chose to allow him to continuing
reading her words as he held their sleeping son. She
stopped as she past Mulder's room, where she saw the
opened box and knew he had viewed some of the tapes.
She continued down the short hallway to the stairs
wanting to talk to Girard. She had been unable to
sleep with troubled thoughts of her mother once more.
"Girard." She said in an even voice so not to scare
him as he steered the yacht and studied the book he
had propped on the wheel. He turned and acknowledged
her as he put the book down.
"Dana, I thought you would be asleep by now." He said
smiling at her. "Is there something bothering you?"
He asked.
"Yes, I have been worried about my mother. I sent her
a message to be careful, but I can't get her out of my
mind." She looked out over the water then back to
Girard.
"Do you think we could smuggle her out of the country
and to where we are going? I don't care what it
costs." She stated, thanking Bill again for leaving
her the means to accomplish this task.
"Where are we going Dana?" Girard asked glancing at
the vast expanse of water then back to Dana.
Dana walked to the map cabinet and pulled out an
atlas. She opened the book and turned a few pages.
Then she walked over to where Girard was sitting and
handed him the book.
"I've been thinking about that. I went to the lab and
did a search of the area for possible places we could
safely hide from the Consortium. Since the project is
moving to the coast of Florida, I think our best
advantage point is somewhere off the US Virgin
Islands. Since cruise ships come in and out of port
several times a week, this beacon of a boat will blend
in easily. There is a flotilla of large yachts and
sailing boats arriving in St. John's next week. The
festival will go on for one week. I also looked for
accommodations and found a couple of possible places
we could stay. They are remote enough for Samantha
and Katie's safety. But we will have to be careful to
not allow anyone to see them. Also, I think we should
dock somewhere and change the name again before we
reach the eastern coast. When we were in Palma Mulder
made a telephone call to his friends. I hate to sound
paranoid, but if the call was traced, they may be able
to trace us from the hotel. This craft isn't exactly
inconspicuous." She stated looking up from the book
to Girard then back to the book and continued.
"If we sail from where we are now, after we pick up
Mulder's friends, we can cruise to Azores Islands
stop, refuel and make our way to the Caribbean. It is
roughly 3,000 nautical miles. If we sail at 14 knots,
we should reach it within five days, if the weather
holds for us." Dana said moving her finger over the
map. She stopped and looked into Girard's eyes.
"Remember when Bill and I sailed across the ocean
before the twins were born?" She asked with a laugh.
"Oh yes, you were quite miserable the whole trip. The
seas where rough and you were the most interesting
shade of green." He smiled slightly remembering the
trip.
"That's a trip I would like to forget, but it can be
done. This boat has a capacity to sail 6,500 miles
right?" She asked.
"Yes, if we fuel in the Azores, we should have no
trouble crossing fuel wise. I will need to do some
research on the weather so we can avoid any
treacherous waves. This vessel is large, but mother
nature can remind us, just how strong she can be."
Girard stated.
"Fine. The worst part is being cooped up on this
yacht for four days." Dana said looking again out the
front of the boat to the dark sea outside.
"I'm sure you can keep the children busy. If we stop
in the Azores we can take a break while we refuel,
there are some nice mountains to climb. Maybe, if we
exhaust them with a hike, they won't drive us crazy
before we reach the Virgin Islands." He said trying
to comfort her.
"It's not the children I'm thinking of." She said
with a smile. "Mulder's friends are quite
interesting, to say the least." Dana said thinking of
being forced to spend several days cooped up with
Mulder's paranoid friends. She shivered slightly.
She hoped Frohike wouldn't bring any unwanted viewing
materials with him.
Dana stood and closed the book. "When can my mother
expect to be retrieved? I have to let her know." She
asked as she crossed the room and put the book back in
the compartment and shut the door securely.
"We can remove her tomorrow. If they're monitoring
her, you might alert them to what we hope to
accomplish if you contact her. Is there a message I
can give my contact, for her to know you are the one
wanting her to leave?" He asked knowing the Margaret
Scully he met would not trust so easily.
"Mag, I call her Mag and she calls me Kath. Tonight I
encouraged her to take a trip and that the hounds were
close, but the Fox was safe. You can tell them to use
those words and Mom will know she can trust them."
Dana said as she crossed to the door and opened it to
exit.
"Girard, I want the best men or women you can find, I
don't care what it cost, I want her safely waiting for
us when we arrive.
Girard nodded his head. "I'll take care of it Dana,
don't worry you can trust me when I tell you she is
already there." He said confidently. He appreciated
the strong Scully women and their spirit to rise above
difficult circumstances.
"Thank you Girard, I appreciate your help more than
you will ever know." Dana said with a warm smile and
soft voice as she walked out of the helm. She let out
a heavy sigh and proceeded to her room for the
evening.
****************
Journal Entry
July 7, 1997
Fox,
I'm having twins! I had an ultrasound today and they
discovered I'm pregnant with twins. I believe twins
are on my mother's side. I wish I knew if your family
genes included twins. Oh well, it doesn't matter.
I'm so excited.
I had the doctor do a series of test a couple of weeks
ago checking for birth defects or anything suspicious.
The results came back and they haven't found any
substantial problems.
Oh Fox, thank you. I can't begin to tell you how much
this means to me. I wish you knew how much I want to
talk to you. I have to fight with all my strength at
times.
I am sorry you can't be here with me, but my thoughts
are with you.
Love,
Dana
Mulder felt a pang of resentment rise in his belly.
He could feel the emotion of her words with her
discovery. He wished she had called him.
Journal Entry
July 17, 1997
Dear Mulder,
It's just me and you for a while. Bill is traveling
to the rain forest in search of a cure for my cancer.
Though the cancer hasn't grown much in size, my nose
bleeds are becoming a regular occurrence. He will be
gone for several weeks, and my mother is traveling to
stay with me in his absence. I'm back at the Embassy
working my undercover job as liaison.
I didn't tell you who I ran into a few months back.
Phoebe Green. I was attending a dinner and had gone
to the restroom because I wasn't feeling well. Little
did I know, I was pregnant.
Anyway, she came strolling into the restroom like the
queen herself. We exchanged words -- I'd like to say
warmly, but I won't lie. She threw a couple of
potential insults my way, asked about you and left to
catch her evening prey. Little did I know she had her
eye on Bill. When I walked up to him and he more or
less brushed her off. It was a real *Kodak moment*.
She turned green before my eyes.
Oh, she sends you her love.
Love,
Dana
**********
Mulder snorted a bit picturing Phoebe being rejected.
He thought she deserved whatever humiliation came her
way, and the fact that Dana had dished it out, made it
even sweeter.
He started to turn the page when Will stirred. He
knew he needed to move him to a more stationary bed,
so he closed the book and laid it on the table next to
his chair. He pulled Will up on his chest resting his
head on his shoulder and stood up carefully. The
movement didn't seem to disturb the dead weight of his
young son. He balanced Will and retrieved the
journal, moving to the door way, flicking off the
light as he passed the switch.
Mulder entered his room and put the book down on the
sofa. He pulled the covers back and carefully cradled
the peaceful boy in his arms as he lowered him to the
bed. Will turned on his side never opened his eyes.
Mulder covered his small body and sat down beside him.
He gazed at Will, thinking of the tape he had viewed
a short time before. He reached out and ran his
fingers lightly through Will's hair then rose from the
bed and walked over to the sofa. He turning on a
small lamp at one end of the comfortable leather sofa
and settled himself down with the journal knowing he
couldn't sleep just yet. He looked at Will one more
time and opened the book again to resume his reading.
------------
July 19, 1997
Journal Entry
Dear Mulder,
I'm alone, and my hormones are causing pensive
reflection. I feel the need to tell you the feelings
I experienced the night we shared our love and our
bodies. It has impacted my life in so many ways.
Please let me try and form my thoughts into words.
First of all, I have to explain my scattered emotions
of that evening. I wanted to hurt you. The jealousy
and betrayal I felt for you grew daily. I reserved
all my strength to keep my emotions under control. I
hated the thought of leaving you, but couldn't bear to
stay in the prision I felt I was in. I felt I was
abandoning my place next to you searching for the
endless truth that eluded us constantly. Of
protecting you from others with no concern for your
life. But angry that you had so little regard for me.
I gave you and the Bureau so much of my life as your
professional partner, there was very little of my own
identity left. I was Fox Mulder's partner, or Agent
Scully of the FBI. There was no Dana to be found.
Maybe that is why I allowed myself to be put into
danger with Ed Jerse, I needed to find what I had
lost. To regain insight into my life that had turned
into anything but my own.
I felt out of control, almost a child again searching
for what I would find when I matured. It was careless
and stupid. Now, I am forever reminded of that night
with the mark on my back. I wished many times the
mark I left on you could be as easy to live with.
I felt similar the night I came to your apartment. It
was almost like you stripped my dignity when I saw you
with that woman in New York. Then I hated myself for
allowing you to have such control over me. Someone
else controlling my life. It frightened and angered
me.
The days after I saw you, I tried to keep you as far
away as possible. I closed off, hid within the
confines of my world. I avoided contact with you. I
would sit in my apartment and listen to your pleas for
me to call. It almost broke my will, but I stood firm
and kept the walls in place so you couldn't hurt me
again. So I would not lose control of my fleeting
life.
When I came to your apartment I was determined not to
allow you to control my actions anymore. No matter
what you said, I wouldn't allow you to persuade me to
give up the opportunity to seek a better life away
from the X-Files. While all along I begged you in my
mind to give me a reason to stay.
Our relationship had deteriorated and it took all my
energy to work with you, and maintain a professional
distance. I spent evenings away from home, running in
the opposite direction of the pain instead of facing
it and you. I became an expert at hiding within
myself. I made myself believe I could only find the
answers to my illness on my own, convinced it didn't
effect you. It didn't invade your body with the
threat of death. I lived with the truth everyday not
knowing how much longer I would be able to live under
favorable conditions.
When you opened the door and I looked in your eyes, I
felt the instant lose of something so special that I
would never again witness. I steeled myself and kept
my walls in place around my heart. I would not allow
you to break my resistance. I ranted and raved
stalling for courage to let you go.
My energy depleted when you turned me around and I
looked in your eyes. I saw the confusion in your
face, and for a moment I almost believed I saw what
could have been caring or love. At that moment I lost
my heart and my senses. I wanted you, if only for one
night, I wanted to know what it felt like to be
intimately close to you. I wanted to be the taker. I
wanted you to know what it felt like to be used and
pushed aside. For this I am truly sorry. I allowed
my control to slip for selfish desire to feed the
jealous rage within my heart.
When I kissed you I felt like someone had taken me out
of my body, for nothing I could feel and taste has
ever been that wonderful. I didn't want to stop
exploring your essence. I tried to keep my distance
emotionally, but I was lost in a sea of bliss. When
you took me in your arms and carried me to your bed, I
didn't care if I died tomorrow for I knew I was
tasting a bit of heaven at that moment. And if heaven
was one minute as wonderful as your warmth and
closeness I was ready.
As we made love to each other, I felt our souls merge
to dance the ancient ritual as we were meant to share.
One life. One breath. One soul. I couldn't stop
feeling you, tasting you, loving you. Your sexual
fragrance was a drug that made me long for and demand
more. I pushed my mind to memorize each spot that I
touched making your moan in pleasure. I memorized
every part of your body. I felt you were my strength,
and I would disappear if you weren't touching me for I
had lost myself in you. I had never experienced such
intensity and believed I never would again after that
night.
When I awoke the reality of what my selfishness had
caused. I rebuilt my walls to resume their shield
around my heart. For you had gone through to act of
loving me, but you did not tell me you loved me.
I felt dirty, used like one of the women on those
tapes that captures your attention. I hated myself
for letting my control slip yet again. I vowed not to
do it again. I would remain alone forever if that is
what it took for me to gain control of my life, I was
so afraid of losing.
Distancing myself from what happened since then, I
have looked back on that night many times. I laid in
bed reliving the feel of your hands moving over my
body. The sensation of your lips as they kissed me.
The feel of you moving in and out of me as you brought
me near death with the ecstasy I experienced. I
remember the smell of your skin as you covered me with
your body that brings me comfort even now.
I'm sorry for so many things. I don't know what else
to say. I can't change the past. I must look to the
future and what life offers me.
But I face the future with the memory of the night we
shared. Reliving in my heart how our souls merged to
danced with the stars. Thank you for that magical
night.
Love,
Dana
Mulder stopped reading and put the journal down
fighting the urge to run out of the room and down the
stairs to her. He knew he had the answer he was
looking for. She had shared his identical experience
and he longed to dance with her again.
He looked up as Will stirred and made a noise. The
spell was broken as he put the book down and walked to
the bed where his son seemed to be having a bad dream.
He sat down on the bed and stroked Will's hair. The
contact seem to soothe the restless boy as his
breathing evened out and he stopped struggling.
Mulder decided he would have to tap into his
psychological training to understand why Will suffered
from continuous interruptions in his sleep.
Mulder rose from the bed and moved back to the sofa.
He picked up the journal again, though the spell had
been broken from the last entry. He forged ahead to
read more of Dana's thoughts. He didn't know how much
more of the entries he could read if they effected him
as the last one.
**********
Journal Entry
August 14, 1997
Dear Mulder,
I have thought a lot about Penny and Betsy the last
several days. I know I haven't written you in quite a
while. I had to make a decision and thinking of you
constantly would prevent me from taking the step.
As I remember the sadness on Penny's face when she lay
dying before me, I vowed to avenge her death. I would
be the one to survive and take revenge for the
affliction the MUFON women were stricken so violently
with.
I remember I told you I had things to finish and prove
to myself when we stood in the hallway at the
Allentown hospital. Today I take another step toward
finding the answers for these women and ensuring my
success.
I am marrying Bill Jacobs tomorrow. I want you to
understand why I feel I must take this step. Not only
for Penny and the other women, but for the children I
carry within me. I can not allow them to bear the
burden of being bastard children. I hope you will
understand.
Bill is a wonderful man. He will take care of us and
he loves me more than his own life. I am sure I will
grow to love him as we built our future together. We
will continue to search for the answers to avenge the
MUFON women. We will work until we are successful.
I feel once more I am betraying you. Though I
understand that you have someone new in your life. I
hope she will love you, and can fill the void of
emptiness I could always see in your eyes. The void
you wouldn't allow me to fill.
Take care of yourself Fox. I hope happiness will
find you.
Love,
Dana
Mulder felt his heart ache as he read the words before
him. Even with the knowledge he no longer existed,
Mulder couldn't help feel rage for a man who took his
place so easily and shared the lives of his children
and Dana. But in the same anger he felt gratitude, if
that was possible, for the fact that Bill Jacobs had
taken his children and given them happiness and
safety.
He looked at his watch -- 1:21am. He thought of
Langly, Byers and Frohike. He wished he could contact
them and make sure they were on track to meet him in
two days.
Mulder had an uneasy feeling about going back to
Marseilles so soon. He believed he hadn't been
followed, but wasn't convinced the Gunmen would be so
fortunate. He wanted to talk to Dana about a
different retrieval plan for his friends. He feared
for Samantha and Katie. His apprehension grew when he
considered what the Consortium and the black lung
devil would do if they knew about his children. Would
they try and use them against him? He would have to
form a plan with Dana to ensure they never came close
enough to have a chance of even glimpsing a sight of
them.
He thought of Skinner and what he must be thinking
about these events. Did Byers contact him? Did he
tell him about Will and Sarah? He wanted to contact
his supervisor, but could he trust him? He knew
Skinner could be playing both sides of the game.
Would he protect them or would he turn on them? Would
he help expose the Consortium to be rid of the
cigarette man? These were questions his tired mind
would answer later.
Mulder settled into the warmth of the sofa and closed
the journal placing it on the table in front of him.
Reaching up and turning off the light, he hoped once
more to relive the dream made so long ago.
***********
Langly made his way through the Lyon airport. He
wearily looked at the departure flights for
Marseilles. He had changed planes in Paris and was
beginning to feel the jet lag that threatened to take
his strength. It had been two days since he boarded
the flight at Washington National, and he had very
little sleep since then. He looked around for Byers
or Frohike. Though they had not agreed to meet
anywhere accept Marseilles, he was hoping to run into
either of them about now. He walked toward the gate
indicating his departure flight in 30 minutes. He
knew he would be early arriving, but planned to take
advantage of his time to catch up on sleep he
desperately needed. He adjusted his tote bag on his
shoulder and walked slowly to his next gate.
The dark man followed him with a discreet distance
between them. He too, felt the fatigue of traveling
so far in a short time. He had almost lost his prey
in Paris. Now in the Lyon airport he knew of his
destination -- Marseilles. He was instructed to alert
his employer of their destination, but being greedy,
he chose to capture the group and receive the whole
reward. He was confident he would not fail. So he
purchased his ticket and made his way to the area
where they would board the small plane to Marseilles
and his reward.
*************
Morning broke through Mulder's window with a
brilliance of light. He opened his eyes to see Will
and Sarah standing over him.
"Daddy, why did you sleep there?" Will asked. Mulder
smiled at his curious son ruffling his disarrayed
hair. He pushed himself into a sitting position
rubbing his eyes and yawned.
"I guess I fell asleep." He answered leaning on the
back of the sofa trying to wake up. Sarah climbed
onto the couch and snuggled close to her father. He
put his arm around her and kissed the top of her head.
She looked up at him and smiled at him melting
Mulder's heart.
"Here you are," Dana announced from the doorway, "I
knew I would find you two up here." She added with a
smile. Will walked to her and she picked him up.
"Visiting your Dad again last night?" She asked with
a raised eyebrow. Will nodded and gave her a genuine
Mulder puppy-dog look, then he put his head on her
shoulder resting it there.
Dana looked at Mulder who looked back at her. They
read each others thoughts as they agreed their kids
had a way of melting their hearts right in front of
their eyes with just a small gesture of love. Dana
had never become immune to these acts of love. She
hoped she never would.
As Dana looked in Mulder's eyes she could feel him
staring into her soul and it made her uneasy that his
gaze was so intense. She asked with her eyes what he
was thinking. His look was filled with emotions she
could not identify -- anger, love, confusion? She
knew they had to work out their differences soon
before they began their long journey across the
Atlantic. She dropped her gaze to Will still resting
on her shoulder.
"Hey, why don't we go down stairs and allow your Dad
to take a shower." She whispered to Will. He lifted
his head and looked at his father still cuddling Sarah
next to him.
"Can we have something to drink?" Will asked.
"Yes, I believe Glenda can help you with that. Why
don't you and Sarah go down to the galley and ask
Glenda if she has coffee ready for Mul....your Dad and
me." She stated as she allowed Will to slide down her
body to the floor. Sarah looked up at her father and
scooted off the sofa leaving an empty spot next to
him. He felt an instant coolness at the absence of
his small warm daughter. Sarah and Will moved to the
door.
"Are you coming Mommy. Or are you going to help Daddy
with his bath?" Sarah asked innocently.
Dana blushed and turned away from Mulder so he
wouldn't see the red color invading her face. "No,
but I would like a word with him." She said shooing
them out the door. When the heat dissipated from her
face, she turned back to a grinning Mulder.
"You can help me if you want." He said suggestively.
Dana felt the heat rise in her face again remembering
what was under his clothes and how he made her feel.
She cleared her throat without acknowledging his
words.
"Did you read any of my journal entries?" She asked
wanting to change the subject quickly.
Mulder looked at her and rose to his feet and walked
over to the window looking out over the water as he
reflected on his emotions from the night before.
"Yes, I did. I stayed up for a while last night
reading what you wrote." He answered with an even
tone. "I understand your reasons, though I don't
agree with them. I thought I could handle it, being
in the past......" turning around he continued,
"until I viewed the tape of the kids being born." He
said turning to look at Dana and nailed her with
blazing eyes.
He felt anger begin to fill his mind as he said. "Do
you know what that did to me? I felt my heart ripped
out of my chest Scully. I should have been there to
hold your hand, to see my children come into the
world, to cut the umbilical cord for Christ sake." He
breathed exasperatingly raking his hand through his
hair remembering the scene. He moved his other hand
to his hair and raised his eyes to the ceiling holding
his head.
"I don't know if I can forgive you for denying me that
once in a life time event." He said dropping his eyes
to Dana who looked stricken. "You don't realize what
I went through after you left me. First I was in
shock. I convinced myself that any day you would walk
back through the basement door and announce that you
had made a mistake, that you loved me. Anything, but
the loneliness that I felt. Even......" he sighed
trying to gain control of his anger, "even with
Cheryl, I grieved for you." He turned and looked at
Dana then back to the ceiling.
"Then, when I heard you married Bill Jacobs a part of
me died. Cheryl tried desperately to bring me out of
the darkness I had enveloped around myself. But even
her strength began to dwindle as I dropped deeper and
deeper into lonely despair. I cut myself off from
everyone. I even stopped visiting the Lone Gunmen. I
immersed myself in work." Mulder dropped his hands
from his head and sighed dropping his eyes to the
floor. "I knew I would destroy Cheryl, and she didn't
deserve that." He confessed.
He allowed his eyes to raise to Dana's tear-filled
eyes. "I could even forgive you that. Forgive you
for leaving me, betraying me, even the hurt you so
callously impaled my heart. But, denying me the right
I should have had to watch my children come into the
world....." He stopped as his voice cracked and he
shook his head in resignation of the truth. He loved
her, but hated her at the same time. He breathed in
deeply and without a word he turned and disappeared
into the bathroom slamming the door behind him causing
Dana to jump.
Tears streamed down her face as she stared at the
closed door. The consequences of her actions slammed
into her with an overwhelming force as she realized
just how badly she had hurt him. She turned and
walked out of his room and down the hallway to the
upper deck. Dana walked to the edge of the deck and
thought for a second of throwing herself over the
side. A just reward for her actions. As he had
spoken to her, she could feel the cold loneliness he
must have experienced. She had been safe with Bill
and the twin's love while Mulder had suffered alone.
She would never forgive herself for that either, she
hated herself at that moment. Dana dropped her head
and began to sob shaking her body all the way to her
soul.
Mulder allowed the warm water wash away the tensing in
his shoulders and back. He felt angry at himself for
taking out his frustrations on Dana so venomously.
But, the anguish over took him and he could not hold
back the words anymore.
Samantha climbed the stairs to the upper deck. She
held a coffee pot, two cups and condiments on a tray
looking for Fox and Dana. She noticed Dana standing
at the edge of the deck with her head slightly bowed
shaking slightly. Samantha could tell she was crying.
She put the tray down on the table and crossed to
Dana touching her on the shoulder. Dana turned around
with a start and locked eyes with her.
"Dana, what's wrong?" She asked putting her arms
around Dana and drawing her near. Dana put her head
on Samantha's shoulder sobbed as she shook. Samantha
held her until the sobs lessened.
"Oh Sam, I think he hates me, and I don't blame him.
I've never realized, until I saw the grief in his
eyes, how much I hurt him." She barely finished as
the sobs gripped her once more.
Mulder dried himself still seething from the
confrontation with Dana. He tried, but could not
allow himself to forgive her the betrayals she had
forced on him. 'Are you going to allow this to break
up your newly discovered family?' The nagging voice
in his mind spoke. 'Your hiding again, just like
before. Is that what you want? To lead a life of
bitter resentment?' The voice continued.
Mulder threw the towel fiercely at the door. No, he
wouldn't let her off so easily. She had to pay for
what she had done to him. 'You aren't without guilt
either.' The voice continued. 'Marita' entered his
mind. 'This whole fiasco started by closing yourself
off and seeking comfort in lies.' He recognized the
voice of his psychology training trying the penetrate
the stubborn resentment he held for Dana at that
moment. He remembered Dana's words of what it did to
her when she saw him with Marita. He remembered how
he felt when he burst through the door when a
disguised Eddie Van Blounht had almost kissed her
while posing as himself. But, it still didn't give
her the right to deny him access to his children. He
pulled his clothes on while fury ran through his body.
'Go ahead, keep this anger locked inside. Allow it to
steal the happiness you could have if only you could
find forgiveness in that tightly held heart of yours.
Then when you are alone and sad again, maybe you can
find comfort inside yourself. Remember what you read
about that night? Do you want to live without her?'
He hated this voice and wanted to block it out.
Mulder faced the mirror as he dried his hair. He
caught his eyes in the mirror and for a moment saw his
soul, and it frightened him. He could not break the
image of utter darkness that encompassed his heart.
'Was this how he wanted to live his life?' He asked
himself. Yes, Dana had betrayed him, but he had
betrayed her too. He blinked and looked at himself
again. He saw a lonely man staring back at him who
for a few days had found love and peace. But it was
threatened to be ripped away from him by his own
stubbornness and unwillingness to allow the past to
die and grab onto what ever the future brought to him.
He realized, at that moment, he was pushing her away
again as he had before. He was a desperately
frightened man trying to find any reason to put a
wedge between them.
He dropped the hairdryer, opened the door and walked
into his room. As he moved into the hallway, he could
see Samantha holding Dana on the deck. He walked
toward them and met Samantha's sad eyes as he
approached. He motioned for her to allow him to take
over comforting Dana. Samantha nodded her head and
allowed him to take her into his arms.
Dana almost didn't notice the transfer of bodies as
she was lost in her sadness. But she smell the
familiar odor of Mulder and opened her eyes and lifted
her head to see him gazing into her eyes. Samantha
walked back into the interior to allow them privacy.
"Fox, I am so sorry for what I've done to you." Dana
said after each hiccup. "I didn't realize, until I
saw the look on your face, the depth my actions had on
you. I know I can't ever make it up to you......"
Dana broke down into sobs again crying into Mulder's
chest.
"Shh Shh." He tried to comfort her. "Dana.....Dana
look at me." He commanded softly. She raised her
red-swollen eyes to him. "Yes, you have hurt me, and
I could hold it against you for the rest of my life."
She blinked as he spoke in a soft comforting voice.
"But, I don't want to live as I have in the past
anymore. I don't want resentment, anger in my life, I
want happiness, and love. He stopped as Dana's eyes
grew wider. "I choose to forgive you Dana, because I
couldn't bear losing Will, Sarah, Samantha, Katie....
Or-or you again." His voice trailed off. He
swallowed.
"But there is one stipulation." He waited for her to
nod. "Don't ever do this to me again. If I do
something to hurt you, come to me and tell me.
Whatever you have to do to gain my attention, you can
even hit me over the head with a board."
Dana interrupted him, "or shoot you again," she
teased between hiccups.
"Well, I wouldn't go that far." He smiled, and was
rewarded with a rare full smile from Dana.
"I promise. If you promise me that you will not close
yourself off from me." She said bringing her emotions
under control, but not loosening the grip on Mulder's
shirt. They locked eyes searching for the oneness
they both desperately needed to connect with.
Mulder leaned closer to her face. "I promise." He
said as he brushed his lips over hers. "I love you
Dana." He said as he claimed her mouth with his in a
gentle kiss. He drew her closer as he wrapped his
arms around her and deepened the kiss. Dana tightened
her grip on his shirt and pulled him close to her.
She felt the merging again as they connected not just
with the lips, but with their hearts as well. Mulder
tightened his arms around her as he explored her mouth
wanting to taste the sweetness he missed. He felt his
will power dwindle as the promise to Sam flew out of
his mind. The only thing he could think of was Dana
and wanting more than kissing her mouth. He wanted to
taste all of her, but as their kiss was on the verge
of becoming uncontrolled they were interrupted by
someone clearing their throat. Mulder groaned to
himself being interrupted yet again. He pulled away
from Dana and they both inhaled much needed air.
"Excuse me." Samantha said smiling. Mulder and Dana
looked at her and then their eyes moved down standing
next to her were Will and Sarah with curious
expressions on their face.
"Mommy what are you doing to Daddy?" Will asked
walking toward them. Dana and Mulder looked at each
other and laughed, vowing with their eyes that they
would be a family, no more solitude in either of their
lives. They broke eye contact and let go of each
other.
"I'll tell you in about 12 years son." Mulder said as
he swept Will up and over his shoulder. Will squealed
as his father walked toward the stairs.
"Are you hungry Will?" Mulder asked, with a
considerable relief in his stride. Will giggled as he
rode slung over Mulder's shoulder looking back at his
mother's amused face.
"Yes." He answered between giggles. They started to
descend the stairs and Mulder looked back at Dana.
Their eyes locked and he smiled a reassuring smile at
her which she returned affectionately. Then he and
Will disappeared down the stairs.
"Mommy, why are your eyes so red?" Sarah asked
looking up at her mother.
Dana picked up Sarah's slight frame. "Just emotional
healing honey." Dana answered glancing at Samantha
standing to the side taking in the scene before her
with a pleased look on her face.
"What is emo..emoinal Mommy?" Sarah asked unable to
say the word.
Dana tickled her daughter which caused Sarah to giggle
and squirmed. "I'll tell you in about 12 years." She
repeated Mulder's answer to Will. The three descended
the stairs as Sarah giggled not knowing what her
mother was talking about, but not caring.
"Is everything okay Dana?" Samantha asked.
Dana nodded her head, "I think it will be." She gave
Samantha a reassuring smile as they made their way to
the galley.