And The Stitches Become Undone

"Come on Max!" Michael yelled as they ran down the street. They seemed to be

out running the over weight policemen. But he wasn't going to stop.

Max used extra power that he knew Michael was using and easily caught up

with him.

"Michael this was stupid." he said angrily. Why he had listened to him he

didn't know.

"Just shut up and run." Michael told him. But skidded to a stop as a gun was

pointed in his face. His eyes widened and both him and Max turned but they

found themselves faced with another gun.

"Stop." the women told them. "Agent Scully, FBI."

Michael watched as the man joined her side with his gun still leveled at

them. After a moment the man put his gun back in his holster.

"What are you kids doing running from the police?" Mulder asked them. They

looked harmless enough. And at this point in this assignment he was willing

to let them go. He didn't care what alien reports they wanted to push in

front of him to mock him. They had gotten assigned here with a bunch of low

class FBI agents the government used for nothing. Except phony alien cases

in Roswell, New Mexico.

Michael opened his mouth to respond but he felt an imaginary nudge from Max.

He glanced at Max who continued to remain silent. He kept his mouth shut and

remained silent.

Mulder sighed. Oh well. Nothing to report. "You kids get out of here and go

home." he told them.

Scully waited till they where a ways away and turned to Mulder. "Why did you

do that?" she demanded.

"What?" he asked.

"Let them go. We are supposed to be watching these kids. They where running

from the local police. I think that gives us reason to question them." She

didn't understand him. Instead of doing his job he was out here without a

care in the world. And for Mulder that was amazing.

Mulder began to walk to their car followed by Scully. "You know as well as I

do this was a low class assignment they sent us on. Something just to mock

us. Show that they don't take us seriously. And to keep us away from the

real truth."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Maria are you okay?" Liz asked as she walked into the back of the diner.

Maria lifted her head from the table. "Yea." she said groggily. "I'm just

feeling really gross."

"Do you want to go home?" Liz asked her concerned.

"No." Maria said and pushed herself up. She let out a sigh. "I go work." she

said and groaned as she trudged into the restauraunt.

"Liz?" Max whispered.

Liz spun around and found Max and Michael standing behind her. "What's up?"

~~~~~~~~~~~

"And they just let you go?" Isabelle asked surprised.

"Yea. I mean he didn't even seem to care. Well she seemed a little bent on

holding us there. But she didn't stop us from going." Max told her. He had

already relayed the story to Liz. Isabelle had joined them at the Crashdown

later.

"I think they know something." Michael said.

"Well that helps a lot Michael, now what the hell are-" Isabelle stopped as

Maria ran into the room and past them into the bathroom. The door slammed

behind her. And seconds later they could all here Maria throwing up. "Ew."

"She's been kinda sick looking all day. She doesn't know what's wrong." Liz

explained.

While the others discussed the current weird problem they had run into.

Michael watched the bathroom. He still worried about her. But he wouldn't

show it. Of course he still berated himself for what they did. He shouldn't

have done it. Not just for the fact that he shouldn’t have been involved but

because he wound up hurting her anyway. The door opened and Maria walked out

slowly. The hair around her face stuck to her damp skin and she looked

around at everyone through hooded eyes.

Maria walked slowly to the couch and let herself fall down onto it. "Liz can

you go out there for a little while?" Maria asked weakly.

"Yea sure. Maria just go home." Liz told her. "Do you want Max to drive

you?"

Liz asked her.

Maria pushed herself up off the couch. "No. I'll make it." she stopped and

looked around at the serious faces. "I'm guessing something major happened.

And when I feel better I'll let myself worry. But right now I'm going home."

she told them and walked out.

"She looks like hell." Isabelle spoke aloud to Max and Michael after Liz

walked out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Really?" Maria asked surprised into the phone.

"Yea. That's what you missed last night. I mean not only did they let them

go but also they actually showed themselves. They’re operating the total

opposite from the rest of the FBI with their stalking tactics." It was odd.

They showed themselves but then just let them go. It was certainly something

to worry about.

"So what do we do?" Maria asked.

Liz sighed. "I don't know. Just watch our back and don't get in trouble I

guess." Liz paused for the moment and brought up another topic. "So how are

you feeling?"

"I'm okay now. I don't know what the deal is with my system. It's all out of

whack." Maria told her. One minute she felt fine and then the next she felt

sick enough to throw up. "It must have been some kind of bug.

"Maria no one else has been sick." Liz told her confused by the whole

ordeal.

"Well I don't know then. I guess I just got sick. But I feel fine now."

Maria told her.

"So you'll be in for work? Because this is the second time this week you

left early. Maybe you should stay home and rest." Liz told her. Although she

doubted Maria would listen.

"No. Liz I'm fine. And besides there are these really cute shoes that I want

to buy and I need the money." Maria said decidedly. She had to have those

shoes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Scully they’re first year college students. How much trouble could they

cause?" Mulder asked her trying to discourage her reasoning.

"I can't believe you Mulder. You, the man who jumps to conclusions. Jumps to

Anything paranormal. You just dismiss this! Why?!?!"

"I'm more curious as to why you think there is something here Scully."

Mulder

Asked her thoughtfully.

Scully sighed and sat down in a chair. "Mulder I know there is nothing here.

But I am still doing my job. Why can't you?"

"Because I won't let them do this to us." he told her.

"But they've done it before and they'll do it again Mulder. We just have to

Get through it." she told him softly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Alright Scully." Mulder started. She wanted him to attempt at this case. He

would at least to do that. We have Max Evans, Isabelle Evans, and Michael

Guerrin. Max and Isabelle are adopted brother and sister. Michael is a

foster kid. They’re all three best friends. And all three of them are being

watched intently by the FBI. Why? Because the higher ups think it’s good way

of using useless agents is to stick them on a case having to do with

aliens." He ignored the look that Scully gave him and continued. "Also are

Liz Parker and Maria DeLuca. These two just recently became involved with

the three and are also being watched heavily. And what ever this secret is,

the FBI thinks they know it." he said and smiled as he got to the ridiculous

part. "Now what led the FBI to believe there is a secret? They thing that

Liz Parker was shot. And that somehow Max Evans healed her."

"You know I thought you would have jumped all over this." Scully admitted to

him.

"Well I'm not. For once I don't think there is anything paranormal here. And

for once you think there is something going on. That is odd." he paused as

a thought occurred to him. "Maybe there something wrong here. With us." he

said and smirked.

Scully frowned. "Alright details. Max and Liz. They have a close

relationship. And Max seems to be more or less the leader. The level headed

one. We saw it that night when we caught them. He made Michael stay quite.

Also Agent Topolsky is stationed at the high school as the school

counselor."

"I don't trust her." Mulder said more to himself.

Scully laughed. "You trust no one Mulder."

"Well yea. But I mean there is something about her. I think she is set out

to discover whatever it is about these kids. And she is going to do it no

matter what." he explained.

"I agree with you on that. Agent Topolsky does have her own agenda. I think

it would be wise of us to stay far away from her. And from what I have found

out the kids already know that the FBI is on to them. Which also supports

your theory of the government sending out the 'useless' agents. And they

also suspect Topolsky. Which is good for us. She most likely will not be

getting any information from them. I think our best way of getting to them

would be to actually be out in the open with them," she said. It would be

better to gain their trust. Since they obvious trusted no one except their

small circle.

"And how do we do that?" Mulder asked.

"I think we have already started with you releasing them." Maybe Mulder’s

bad move might even help them at this point.

"How? They seem to get suspicious very easily. Wouldn't this just add to

it?" he asked her.

"You would no something about that wouldn't you?" she asked him and smirked.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Well, this is what I call making friends." Mulder broke the long silence.

"Mulder we need to know more about them." she told him.

"Okay we know they work at a diner and where little alien antennae."

"Mulder..." Scully warned.

"I'm sorry. It's just this whole case is a load of crap." he said a little

angrily.

"I know it Mulder. But we just have to make the best of it. The faster we

get it over with the faster we can return home and you can get back to your

work." she told him kindly.

"Your right. We just need to get this over with." he agreed.

"Good. And who knows." she began and smiled. "Maybe you just might find some

aliens here."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Maria slumped down into one of the booths. Maybe she wasn't feeling better.

Even though she felt sick to her stomach she was starving.

Michael walked into the diner followed by Max. He noticed a girl with short

blond hair with her head down on a table. He could only guess it belonged to

Maria. At this point he was really starting to worry about her. Even if he

wasn't making that worry public.

"Maria still sick?" Max asked.

Michael felt relieved that Max had asked. It wouldn't have been right if he

did.

"Yea. I don't know what her deal is. But we're getting ready to leave. She

says she is feeling better then yesterday and that she still wants to go out

somewhere." Liz sighed and pulled the antennaes off her head and placed them

in the bag with the rest of her uniform. "You want to come with us?" she

asked as she walked towards Maria.

"No. We just stopped by." he told her. But his attention was drawn to Maria.

She had been sick for a while. But it seemed she'd be well for a while then

sick again.

"Alright Maria ready?" Liz asked and picked up Maria's bag.

"Yea." Maria mumbled and pushed herself up. "Are they coming?" she asked

rudely.

"Uh no." Liz answered her confused.

"Good." Maria said directly to Michael. He returned her angry gaze. But she

did not falter. She had learned not to. No matter how much it still hurt.

"Lets go." she said and began to walk out.

"We'll walk out with you." Max told Liz softly.

Liz nodded and followed Maria out the door. "So have he ran into those two

agents again?"

"No." Max answered as they began to walk across the street to where Maria’s

car and Max's jeep where parked. "We haven't seen them following us either.

Either they really don't care about us or they're much better at following

then the previous FBI agents we have run into."

Maria caught small parts of their conversation. She was mostly concentrating

on the painful pressure in her stomach. Then it began to lessen and was

replaced by the feeling of losing all her strength. She reached the car and

held herself up on the front of the hood. She could still here Max and Liz

talking. She turned in the direction Liz was in and called out to her.

"Liz." But all that came out was a whisper. And she didn't even hear her.

Maria winced. She tensed her muscles and tried to hold herself up. She

turned in the other direction to where Michael stood. He wasn't talking with

Max and Liz, he was watching her. "Michael." she called out.

Michael watched in confusion. Maria mouthed his name, although he thought he

had heard her voice. Then a second later she slumped and fell to the ground.

Michael rushed forward.

"Maria!" Liz exclaimed and ran to her friend with Max close behind her.

Michael was already kneeling next to her and picking her up off the ground.

"Back up." a voice called out and rushed forward.

Max was frozen as the red headed FBI agent rushed forward to Maria's side.

Scully rushed to the girls’ side. She checked her pulse and found it weak

but steady. But the girls’ eyes started to open.

Maria looked at Michael who was holding her up. But their eyes only met for

a moment then she pulled away from him. "What happened?"

"You fainted." Scully told her. "Has this happened before?"

"Huh? Oh no. Well I haven't fainted. But for the past couple of weeks I've

been sick." Maria told the women. She seemed to know what she was talking

about. But Maria couldn't understand why Max and Michael where looking at

the lady funny.

"The past couple of weeks!" Liz exclaimed. "I thought it has only been this

week?" Liz couldn't believe it.

Maria grimaced. "Are you a doctor?" Maria asked her.

Scully nodded.

"No you're not." Michael gritted out.

"I am a doctor. I am also an FBI agent." Scully told him.

"Now what is going on here?" Mulder asked as he finally reached them. Scully

had high tailed it out of the car as the girl fell to the ground.

"I'm trying to find out Mulder. Now as you where saying?" Scully asked the

blond-headed girl.

"I've been having really bad stomach aches. And I've thrown up like 4 times

over the past 2 weeks. But then I'll feel fine." Maria told her. "And just

now.... I don't know what happened. I just felt so weak."

Scully studied the girl. She genuinely did not have a clue as to what was

wrong with her. Scully looked at the other kids cautiously. "I need to talk

to you. Alone." Scully said.

Maria nodded and let the women lead her off.

"Alone Mulder." Scully repeated. She saw the surprised look on his face. And

she knew he didn't like being kept in the dark. It's about time he knew how

it feels. Scully turned back to Maria. "Maria-"

"How do you know my name?" Maria asked her cautiously.

"I'm an FBI agent as well as a doctor." Scully told her. But that seemed to

explain it all to Maria because she nodded. She sighed. She had never had to

break this kind of news before. "Are you sexually active?"

"What?" Maria exclaimed.

"Are you sexually active?" Scully repeated.

"I heard you the first time. What does that have to do with anything?" Maria

asked her incredulously.

"Just tell me." Scully told her firmly.

Maria sighed. "Well not active. But I did." Maria admitted. IT was the

first person she had admitted it to.

"How long ago?" Scully asked her.

"I don't know. Maybe four months. You don't think I'm sick do you?" Maria

asked alarmed.

"No. When was the last time you had your period?" Scully asked her.

Maria at that moment would have fainted again. If it just wasn't for one

thing. "Two weeks ago."

"Did you use protection?" Scully asked the girl. It was and odd situation

she had to admit. The girl was as thin as a rail and was having her period.

"No." Maria admitted fearfully. She couldn't be.

"Maria I think at this point it would be best if you took a pregnancy test."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Maria walked slowly towards the bathroom. She had canceled with Liz. Of

course Liz understood since Maria had fainted. But that wasn't Maria’s

reason for canceling. As soon as she left she went strait to the drug store.

The farthest one in town. And now this was it. Came down to the difference

between two signs. She opened the door slowly. And once she did she didn't

have to move any closer. Because there it was as she stared at it. And the

plus sign stared right back at her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Maria? What's wrong?" Max asked bewildered by her quick entrance.

Maria shut the door behind her and turned to him. "Your mom let me in. Is

Isabelle here?"

"No. What's going on?" he asked her again. Maria looked like she was on the

verge of a nervous breakdown.

"Um a couple of months ago, you know around the time of the rave at that

soap factory?" she asked him.

Max nodded. He was more confused then ever now. He didn't see what that had

to do with anything. Or at least not anything to make Maria so upset over.

"Okay well you know about what happened with me and Michael and how it ended

quicker then it was started." she reminded him.

Max nodded again. He though for a moment he heard regret in her voice. But

it soon left as she remembered the task at hand.

"Well that's not all that happened. In between where it started and where it

ended we slept together." Maria let out a sigh as the words past her lips.

Even after all these months it was a relief to say out loud. No one knew

except her and Michael. And it was obvious she wasn't going to talk with

him. Not even Liz knew.

"Oh god." Max said softly. "You and Michael had...." he couldn't even say

it. It was just too unbelievable.

"Sex." she finished for him to clear it up.

"I didn't know. He never told me. I can't believe him." Max said begining to

get angry.

"I think we had like a mutual silent agreement after a while that know one

would find out. I'm sure he just didn't want anyone to know it was with me.

Me, I was just embarrassed that it happened and then he threw me away like a

piece of trash. I didn't want anyone knowing about that," she said aloud. It

was said to Max but it wasn't really meant for him. Those where her own

feelings over the whole thing.

In the back of Max's mind he recalled Michael mentioning how he was scared

to hurt Maria. Obviously when Michael broke it off he didn't explain his

real reasons. But that was the last thing Max was worrying about. Maria

waited almost four months to break this news. Something had to have forced

her to.

"Why?"

"Why what?" she asked confused.

"Why tell me now?" he asked her.

"Oh yea. Um last night, when I fainted. When we where alone that FBI agent

had an idea of why I might be so sick. So I thought it was impossible but I

looked into it. And it turned out she was right." Maria choked back sob as

she said the last words. "I'm pregnant."

Max backed away as if he had been hit. "What???" he exclaimed.

"She thought I might be pregnant. I took the test. I am." she told him

sadly.

"Are you sure Michael is-" he began as he collected himself but Maria

interrupted him angrily.

"I'm sure. Michael was my first, my last, and the only one ever. So yes Max

Evans I am carrying Michael Guerin’s half alien baby." she spit out.

Max eyes widened as the realization hit him. She was human. Michael wasn't.

The baby was half-human and half whatever they where. He didn't know what to

do. They didn't even what they really where or where they came from.

"That's not all." Maria interrupted the thoughts that where bound to be

taking him over. Last night after I went home I discovered something. It

faded away. But a little while before I came here it started to come back."

she told him. Maria grabbed the hem of her shirt and lifted it up just

enough so that Michael could so her shiny silverish glow on her stomach. It

wasn't a handprint. It was just a small circlish glow.

"This is the second time."

Max inched forward slowly. And when he was close enough to her he reached

out and touched her stomach.

"You left one on Liz when you healed her. And I remembered about that dead

person you all said another alien killed. They had a handprint to right?"

she asked him wanting to be sure of her discovery.

Max nodded as his hand slid gently across her stomach. "Well I got this

whenever I began to get weak."

Max pulled away and looked at her. "Are you getting weak now?" he asked her

softly.

Maria dropped her shirt and nodded. "Just a little."

Max placed his hand on her back and pushed her towards the bed. "Sit down."

Maria sat down and when he sat down next to her she continued. "Well what if

this baby is taking my life."

Max opened his mouth the respond but he shut it again. "I don't know." he

finally forced out. "I don't think the baby would want to take your life.

Maybe it needed some kind of energy from you and that weakened you. Lift up

your shirt again." he told her. He hoped his mom didn't decide to open his

door anytime soon.

Maria did as he said. She watched as Max touched her stomach softly. Only

moments later she felt something run through her. Wasn't all unpleasant but

she wasn't sure what it was. But it was over soon after it began.

Max pulled away. "You're right. The baby was taking life from you. Or more

specifically energy. The glow is gone."

Maria looked down at her stomach. He was right. "How?"

"I did the same thing I did for Liz. Just not so much. Now this is only my

guess. But if it were Isabelle carrying a child like her it would be fine.

She would be able to give off enough energy for the child. But since you are

only human this one is taking it from you." he explained. It was bad enough

that she was pregnant. But now her life was in danger.

Maria’s eyes widened with worry. "So what do we do?"

"Maria the only thing I can think of is that throughout this whole pregnancy

either me, Isabelle, or Michael is going to have to do that. It's the only

way to give the baby enough energy so that it doesn't take it from you." he

paused for a moment. "Does Michael know?"

Maria shook her head.

"We need to tell him." Max said and stood up from the bed.

Maria jumped up and followed him. "No we can't." she pleaded. "Not yet."

Max grabbed Maria's arms gently. "Maria I understand you want to wait and

that you’re scared. And I would probably have let you wait. But at this

point your life is in danger. And I can't be around you every second of the

day. If this happens when I'm not around either Isabelle or Michael need to

help you. And this far down the line I think that Michael should know."

Maria downcast her eyes and nodded slowly giving her permission.

Max let her go and advanced towards the phone.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Liz had already been at the Crashdown. Maria had driven herself there while

Max picked up Isabelle and Michael. So of course she had arrived before

they did. But it didn't take them long. Max obviously wanted to get this

public.

"Alright Max what's the deal. You drag me from my friends’ house for some

unknown reason that you said we'd find out about when we got here. And we're

here so tell us." she told him a little annoyed.

Max looked over at Maria. But she quickly looked at the floor. It was

obvious that she wasn't going to say so. So he chose the quick approach. He

would just tell them. He stood up to get a fair distance from the rest of

them.

"Maria came by my house this morning, that doctor from last night had an

idea of why Maria was so sick. She was right. Maria's pregnant." Max didn't

have time to continue. A fist met him hard in his face and he found himself

on the floor seconds later with an enraged Michael standing over him.

Maria jumped up. "What the hell are you doing!" she screamed as she grabbed

Michael's arms and pushed him back. She glanced back at Max who was luckily

being helped off the floor by Isabelle. Liz looked upset. They believed it

was Max's baby.

"You slept with Max!" he yelled at her.

Maria stood up straighter. His towering figure had an unfair advantage over

her. "I did not sleep with Max! You where the only one that I slept with!"

"What?" Michael asked and backed up as if he had been hit himself.

"You heard me Michael Guerrin. This is your damn baby. Not Max's." she

yelled at him.

"No." Michael said decidedly. It can't be.

"Yes. You where the only one Michael. No one before you... or after you.

And at this time the half alien baby is sucking the life out of me." she

told him angrily.

Max by this time had walked over and stood on the side of Michael and Maria.

"Maria is obviously human. The baby isn't. Maria can't give the baby enough

energy so it is taking it from her."

"Last night when I got home, after I figured out I was pregnant. I realized

my stomach was glowing silver just like Max's handprint on Liz. It did it

again today. But Max put his hand on my stomach. And he did just like he did

to Liz. Just not as much." she explained.

"Wait a minute!" Michael yelled. This was going to fast for him. "So do you

have to feel it removed?"

"No. I don't think so." Max began. "But the problem is that the baby will

continue to draw energy from her. And the only way to stop Maria from

becoming weak is either for me, you, or Isabelle to give power to it."

Michael didn't respond. He didn't know how to. How do you respond to

something like this? Finding out that a human girl is pregnant with you

half-alien baby.

"Say something!" Maria yelled at him.

"I-I don't know what to say." he told her honestly. He really didn't.

"What you aren't going to run now?" she asked him angrily. "You did it

before." Maria stepped out in front of him and held her arm out towards the

door. "Look there the door. Remember no attachments. He broke off

everything. There's nothing to hold you back. I mean come on, now your life

is in danger. You have a human pregnant with your child. Two weird FBI

agents are watching you. Why don't you just leave!" Maria screamed. Maria

grabbed onto a chair for support. She closed her eyes and took in a deep

breath trying to calm herself. She knew she overdid it. "Max." she called

out shakily.

Max came forward. "Are you okay?"

Maria bit her lip and shook her head.

"Okay." he said and kneeled down in front of her.

"What the hell is-" Michael began but stopped as Max lifted Maria’s shirt up

to reveal her stomach and a light silver glow. "Oh shit."

Max turned at the sound of Michael’s curse. He grabbed Michael’s hand and

pulled him down next to him. Max placed Michael hand on Maria's stomach

gently. "Go ahead." Max told him.

"What?" Michael asked surprised.

Maria stumbled but Isabelle rushed to her side to support her. Maria allowed

Isabelle to lower her down to the ground. Liz soon appeared in her vision

worried.

"Help her Michael." Max told him.

Michael looked at Max fearfully. It wasn't that he didn't want to. He was

scared he would hurt her. But before he could even begin to help he felt his

energy being pulled. It lasted only a few moments and then it was over. He

fell back onto the ground from the backlash and watched Maria’s stomach as

the color began to fade. "What happened?" he asked.

"You didn't do it?" Max asked confused as he surveyed Maria's stomach.

"No. It was pulled out of me. Then it was over." he explained.

He moved over to where Maria was pulling herself up in a sitting position

and helped her up. "Are you okay?" he asked her softly.

Maria turned to him to him with an angry stare. But her face softened and

she

let out a sigh. "Yea." Maria turned to Max. "What happened?"

Max began but was interrupted by Liz.

"I don't know much about you three. But could it be the maybe knew that

their was another one and pulled the power from Michael. And once it had

enough it halted?" Liz asked. Of course it was a long shot.

"I guess so." Max agreed. "But why take it from Michael? Why not just keep

taking it from Maria?"

"It was different from when you gave it, Max." Maria told him as Michael and

Isabelle helped her up. "I felt more. Almost like a big rush of caffeine. I

think it was taken from Michael not just for the baby but for me also."

"Michael?" Liz asked softly. His blank stare was starting to worry her. She

reached and touched his shoulder gently.

Michael jumped at Liz’s touch. "Sorry."

"Michael what's wrong?" Isabelle asked him gently.

"What's wrong?" he asked her unbelievably. "For starters I got Maria

pregnant, then there's the fact that we don't have a clue as to what this

baby could do to her. And now she is in danger just for the fact that it is

half of what I am. If this got out on the open do you think they would just

watch?!? That's what's wrong!" he yelled and stormed out of the diner.

Isabelle stood there with her mouth gaping open as Maria rushed out the door

after him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"No Mulder!" Scully yelled.

"Scully I can't believe you are not telling me this! Why?!?!" he yelled

back.

"Because to this girl it is personnel." she told him firmly.

"What if it could help our case along Scully. Would you tell me then?" he

asked her knowing her answer.

"Of course I would. But this doesn't pertain to it Mulder." she said. She

would follow the rules even if he wouldn't.

"And it does." he continued before she had time to respond. "Whatever her

problem is could have to do with those three kids. And even if it may not it

would leave chances open to the other agents that are just out to prove

something. And they don't care who they step on to get it. Scully I want the

truth. But I'm not going to hurt anyone to get it. And you know that." he

told her gently. And it was the truth. By now she should know that.

Scully sighed. She knew he would never hurt anyone to reach his goal. And

why she wouldn't tell him this girl’s secret she didn't know. Maybe just the

though of this child in high school touched something inside of her.

Something not Agent Scully. "I think she's pregnant Mulder."

"Pregnant" he scoffed.

"I know it sounds ridiculous to keep from you. I really doubt these kids

have anything to do with aliens. But I believe they have something to hide.

And I took pity on her the moment she hit the ground." she told him softly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Maria grabbed Michael’s arm and pulled him to a halt. But she jumped back as

he spun around on her.

"What?!?" he yelled. When he saw the frightened look in Maria's face, his

tone softened but it was still strained. "I didn't know it was you."

"I see that." she responded. "Running?"

Michael shook his head. "I needed some air." he told her. She just stood

there looking at him. He knew she was most likely at a loss for words like

him. "You need to get inside, Maria." he said quietly and turned to leave.

Maria watched him turn and she felt the loneliness she had felt over the

past few months return. Only worse. She had cried when she knew it was true.

But not in front of anyone else. She wasn't sure how to go on at this point.

She was pregnant. And as the word continued to float through her mind all

she could feel was disgust. And it was all at herself. Here she was

pregnant. People would see it soon enough. Her mom would know. And at this

point she wanted a hole to open in the earth and pull her in. "Michael." she

sobbed out loudly. But of course he didn't turn around. Maybe he didn't hear

her or maybe he didn't want to hear her. "Michael!" she screamed. But this

time he did turn around.

Michael turned at the sound of Maria's scream. He could barely make out her

shaking form. But he could tell she was crying. He couldn't leave her there.

Even if he had actually wanted to. He walked back towards her and as he got

closer he saw the tears running down her face. But her eyes where locked

with his the whole way. Once he was a little over a foot from her he

stopped.

"Maria I don't know what to do." he admitted.

Maria shook her head as she cried. "Me neither." she told him.

Michael remained silent, but he stepped forward and pulled her into his arms

as sobs began to wrack her body. They where going to have to do something.

They couldn't just go on like this.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Michael, calm down." Isabelle told him, her voice a little edgy. His insistent pacing and

running his hand through his hair was driving her insane.

"Calm down!" Michael exclaimed and stooped in mid pace. His eyes blazed angrily.

"Lets review the facts here Isabelle. Maria is now pregnant. Not only that I am the one

who got her pregnant! But shes not pregnant from a human guy like she deserved to be

years from now? No! She got pregnant by an alien while she is still in high school! And

along with that comes a baby that is sucking the life out of her! So Isabelle, tell me again,

why should I calm down?" Michael asked her angrily.

"All right, look it's obvious everyone is on edge, especially you." Max said to Michael.

"But we need to decide on some things here."

"That's easy. No one finds out." Isabelle said decidedly. "But of course things aren't that

easy when Maria is going to be carrying something the size of a bowling ball in her

stomach!" Isabelle yelled to Michael.

"Okay so we can't hide it. But one thing is for certain. No one can know it is Michael's. Agreed?" Max asked in a tone that forced them to nod.

"What about Maria's Mother. She'll find out at some point and will insist on knowing

who." Isabelle brought up.

Michael cringed. He was more afraid of Maria's Mother right now then any FBI agent in the world.

"I don't know. We'll deal with that when we have to. Right now though we have to agree

that this situation has to be kept as secretive as possible." Because if it wasn't who knew

what could happen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2 days later.

"Where is she?" Michael asked as he walked into the diner.

"I-I." Liz stuttered trying to think of an excuse. But she had used them all up over the past

couple of days.

"Liz I want to see her now. She cannot do this to me. I have been waiting across the street

for the most part of the day. I saw you two come in. Where is she?" Michael asked

forcefully.

Liz expelled a surrendering sigh. "She is upstairs, laying down."

Michael didn't even glance at Liz as she revealed the information. He took off through

the door and up the stairs.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Michael walked into Liz's room and found Maria laying on the bed on her side, facing

away from the door. "Maria."

Maria jumped up off the bed and stood facing him. "Michael, um what are you doing

here?" Maria asked casually. But how casual where you supposed to ask in a situation

like this.

"You have avoided me for two days and all you can ask is how I am doing?" Michael

asked her through gritted teeth as he stalked towards her.

Maria moved towards the end of the bed and backed up slowly trying to avoid him. "I just

needed time to be alone. To you know figure out things?" Maria asked him hoping he

would understand. But he didn't look like he was in an understanding mood.

"Are you listening to yourself Maria? Because the last time I checked I was the father

here. Meaning that this baby is half mine. Next time you'd like to avoid me for two whole

days and 'figure out thing' I'd like to know about it." As the last words left his mouth he

had Maria backed up into a wall and he was standing a few inches away.

Through all the jumbled thoughts running through her head one stuck out. Why did his

height continue to scare her? He had this towering figure. Maybe if he wasn't so tall he

wouldn't seem so bold. "Look you can't watch me ever minute of the day. I'm the one

carrying it. If I need to be alone then I need to be alone. And since the baby is in me I

guess we go together."

"For two whole days! I could not find you! You weren't at school, I went to your house you

weren't home. I waited at the Crashdown, you never came. I had know idea what was

going on here! I would at least like to know something!" Michael let out an angry sigh

but is voice quieted. "Maria, we don't know what could happen. And when you are gone

for that long I-I...."

Maria's eyebrows raised as she waited patiently.

"I began to worry." Michael finished.

Maria's face twisted in confusion. "I um, I didn't really know what to say. As many times

as I tell my self what really is going on it still doesn't sink in. I mean yea the whole I'm

pregnant part has um gotten to me. Numerous times. But the other part. Your part. I don't

think that has set in yet. I didn't mean to worry you Michael. I really didn't. But being

around you, seeing you, talking to you, that reminds me. That makes me know what is

going on. And I don't like that." She hadn't just wanted to come out and tell him that she

was avoiding him because she couldn't stand to be near him. But that was the truth.

"So you don't want to be around me then?" Michael asked her reproachfully. "No wait,

you can't stand to be around me."

"Michael." Maria said sadly. "It isn't like that."

"Isn't it? I remind you over and over again what is inside you. And you can't handle it.

Here I thought you had finally come to except what we where. I thought you didn't fear

us. But you do." Michael backed up away from her. He was angry but being near her hurt

him more then anything. To know that she felt that way tore at him.

Maria's eyes widened with worry as he backed up. That one movement expressed so

much. Almost as if he was unconsciously drawing himself away from her. Pulling away.

She stepped forward and grabbed him arms. "Michael no." she cried softly. "Just listen to

me."

"Maria I've heard enough for now." He pulled away and began walking towards the door.

"Michael!" Maria yelled at him. But even as she did she didn't run to stop him. He didn't

even turn around. And as the door shut loudly, the realization that she was alone hit her.

He was gone. He had left her. Again. Shouldn't she be used to it by now? But she wasn't.

Instead it hurt worse. Maria dropped her head and looked down to her stomach. "I'm

sorry. I didn't mean to push him away."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Maria continued to cry as she walked down the street. "Okay maybe I shouldn't be

walking home. But it's only about a mile. We'll be okay. Right?" Maria nodded. "Right."

Maria let out a small groan. "Not right now. I'm about a half a mile from help and a half a

mile from home." Maria quickened her pace, but as she did she felt herself become weak.

She should have known better. The last time this happened had been when they had all

found out. It was bound to happen again. She had gotten no sleep and had been feeling so

stressed, the baby was going to need more life. Maria stopped and lifted up her shirt. "Oh

god." she groaned as her stomach shown brightly. She wouldn't make it home alive.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Mulder, I swear." Scully mumbled. Once they both had entered the car and closed the

doors she turned to him. "Just a week ago you couldn't wait to leave this place. Now you

think there is something, and we are stalking a 16 year old girl."

"Look I know I thought there was nothing before. But after finding out about Maria

DeLuca and observing the rest of them, the whole situation has taken a drastic turn." He

said excitedly.

"Of course it has. The girl got pregnant and she is only 16. I'm sure that is bound to create

a little chaos between there small group." Scully sighed. She knew it wouldn't do any

good.

"Look Scully, I have a-" Mulder began.

"Feeling." she finished for him. "Yea I know."

Mulder turned to her and smiled.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Maria stumbled and fell to the ground. She groaned loudly and curled up on her side.

"Please." Maria begged. "Not to much." She began to become unaware of her

surroundings. They just didn't seem to matter anymore. She forced her eyes open as she

heard a loud screech and voices. Somewhere in the back of her mind she knew who it

was. But she couldn't really remember. She felt herself being picked up off the ground

and carried.

Scully jumped back into the passenger seat. "Hurry up Mulder, we need to get her to a

hospital."

The words pulled Maria out of the haziness. "No!" she yelled and pushed herself up. She

couldn't hold herself up though and she slowly fell back down onto the seat. "No." she

told them.

"Your in physical danger, and so is the baby. You need help." Scully told her.

"No." Maria pleaded. "You can't." Maria whined. "They'll know."

"What will they know Maria? We can help you as long as you tell us." Mulder told her.

Maria conflicting thoughts shown on her face and she winced. "They'll know about

them."

"What about them, Maria?" Mulder pushed.

"I need to go see them." Maria watched the hesitant looks coming from the two agents.

She grabbed the hem of her shirt and pushed it up revealing the silverish glow. "Only

they can help me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mulder carried the petite girl in the backdoor and followed her instruction of where to

go. Scully ran quickly to the front to find one of her friends. He placed her on the sofa

and sat on the table. "Maria."

"Hmmmm?"

"Wake up. You need to stay awake. Scully went to go get your friends. They'll help you."

he reassured her.

"Maria!" Liz exclaimed and ran in.

"Liz?" Maria whispered and her eyes opened.

Liz ran over and kneeled down in front of Maria. "Do you need help?"

Maria nodded. "Hurry."

Liz raised her hand to Maria's stomach and slowly lifted up her shirt. The silverish glow

was shining brightly. To brightly. And her stomach felt warm. "Okay." Liz said and

hurried to the phone.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Hello?" Max answered.

"Max. Maria is in trouble." Liz said fearfully.

"What kind of trouble?" Max asked her worriedly.

"You know what kind." Liz told me.

"Okay I'll be over there as fast as I can." Max said and hung up.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"What's wrong with her?" Scully asked as Liz wiped a cold cloth over Maria's stomach.

She had expected it to wipe off. But it didn't. It continued to glow.

"I can't tell you that." Liz said but her eyes remained on Maria.

"We know something is going on Ms. Parker." Mulder told her.

"It isn't for me to tell. Right now my concern is Maria. Not the truth you are searching

for." Liz said evenly.

"What is wrong with Maria then? How do you know we can't help her?" Scully asked

concerned.

"Because I know." Liz told her.

"Liz."

Liz turned to the door to where Max and Isabelle where standing. She jumped up and ran

to him. "Help her."

"Max, they'll know." Isabelle said softly to him.

"So what?!?" Liz exclaimed. "You'd let Maria die?!?!"

"No, but I wouldn't willingly put ourselves in danger." Isabelle shot back.

"Look Isabelle we don't have time for this. This is two lives that are in danger. And this

time it does have to do with us." Max lowered his voice. "Besides I think we can trust

them."

"You say that about everyone." Isabelle said.

Max walked over to Maria and knelt down. "Maria?"

"Hmmmm?" Maria said and forced her eyes open.

Max turned to Isabelle. He pulled the keys out of his pocket. "Go find Michael."

Isabelle nodded and took off through the door.

Max sighed and looked at the two agents. "Isabelle doesn't trust you. And neither does

Michael."

"They don't know us." Scully told him.

"And you don't know us." Max told her and glanced at the other agent. Max turned back

to Maria. "You know something now. But you don't know what. I could tell you. But that

would all depend on how you choose to use the information." Max brought his hand up to

Maria stomach. "This is nothing you know about."

"I just want to know the truth. I'm not interested in exposing anyone or getting anyone

hurt. I just want to know." Mulder said with emotion.

For some reason Max believed him. He turned to the women.

"I don't share Mulder's search for the truth. But I'm not here to put anyone's lives in

danger." Scully told him. She knew how the other side of the FBI worked. She would not

put them in that danger.

Max nodded and turned back to Maria. "She needs life. It's being taken from her." Max

told them and placed his hand on Maria's stomach and closed his eyes.

"By the baby?" Mulder asked confused.

Max nodded.

"But why?" Scully asked, equally as confused. But she go no answer. She walked towards

the boy. He was still, to still. Her eyes turned to the girls stomach. The silver glow had

begun to fade, and shrink. She glanced at Maria, her eyes where beginning to open and

focus. But she did not move. She waited patiently as if she knew what was happening.

Max pulled his hand away from Maria and stood up swaying slightly.

Liz reached out and steadied him. "Max sit down." Liz told him softly and brought him

towards the couch.

Maria curled her feet against her and allowed Max to sit down. "Thanks." she told him.

Max sighed. "Anytime."

"What did you do?" Scully asked and moved forward surveying Maria's now lightly

tanned stomach.

"I gave her life." Max said simply.

"I don't understand." Scully admitted.

"You will. But not till the others get back. This isn't just my choice." Max turned to

Maria. "How do you feel?"

"Still a little weak." she admitted.

"I couldn't give you anymore. When they get back we can do it again." he told her. Either

Isabelle or Michael could. But most likely Michael would. He would insist on it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Michael ran ahead of Isabelle to the back. When he walked in he stopped as the two

agents looked up at him. Conflicting emotions flew over his face until finally he ignored

them and walked over to Maria. "Are you okay?"

Maria nodded. "I'm still weak. Max didn't have enough to give." Maria whispered.

Michael nodded and placed his hand under her stomach. Once again the power was

pulled from him and then it suddenly ended. When he opened his eyes, stronger ones

where staring back at him. "Better."

"Yea." Maria said her voice stronger.

"Okay." Michael said and stood up. "What is going on here?"

"We found Maria." Scully told him. She was passed out on the ground. "We where going

to take her to the hospital but she insisted that we couldn't. Then she showed us her

stomach and had us bring her here."

"And what did you tell them?" Michael asked Max.

"Nothing." Max told them.

"Then that's all they need to know." Michael said decidedly.

"No." Maria exclaimed and sat up. "They saved my life. They deserve an explanation."

"It isn't your choice make." Isabelle said angrily. "Your not in the danger that we are."

Maria jumped up, her eyes blazing. "I am not in the same danger?!?! How do you figure?

As I recall, this," Maria pointed to her stomach. "is in danger, and so am I. So if your

secret gets out I go down to. Right now we have no idea what to do. Maybe they could

help. And if they can, neither you or Michael will stop me from revealing anything.

Because I am not going to just stand by and have the life sucked out of me or have this

baby die because I can't support it."

"Look just because we're from the FBI doesn't make us the bad guys here." Mulder said

and stood up.

"Doesn't make you the good guys either. We've had enough run ins with the FBI lately to

make us aware of the fact they are out to get us." Isabelle told him. "You're here watching

us. That gives us reason to doubt your sincerity."

"We didn't want to be here. Especially Mulder. But we where assigned here. You think

the whole FBI is out to get you, but they aren't. In fact this assignment isn't taken

seriously to the higher ups. That is why we where send here. Because they don't take us

seriously. Or more precisely they don't take Mulder seriously." she glanced at Mulder.

They both knew it was true. But she felt pained to say it. "Mulder believes against all

odds that there is more then we knows about. And even as much as I argue against him, I

want him to know the truth"

Max looked at the others. "I promised them the truth."

Michael sighed and looked at Isabelle. Her face was set in stone. She obviously was not

happy about the situation. He looked at Maria who was standing next to him. Of course

she wanted to tell them. "If they can help Maria, fine."

Max turned to Isabelle.

"Fine. But when I'm strapped to a white table I'll know who to blame." Isabelle said and

dropped onto a chair.

Max sighed. "Okay."

Liz walked over to Maria and pulled her down to the sofa with her.

Maria allowed Liz to pull her down to the sofa. She crossed her legs and looked up at

Michael who was watching her.

Michael turned as Maria sat down. She looked back up at him, her face expressionless.

He frowned and sat down on the floor in front of Maria. He wasn't doing it unconsciously

either. He knew he was protecting her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Before I get to Maria's condition, it would be easier if you knew the whole thing." Max

began.

"We know about the shooting. Ms. Parker got shot. You did something to her." Mulder

offered.

"I healed her. Liz was practically dead." Max explained.

"You healed her. How?" Scully questioned.

Max didn't respond to her question. "We aren't from here. In fact we don't know where

we're from."

"Your not from here?" Scully asked. Of course she had an idea of what he meant, she just

wanted to be sure.

"We're not human." Michael said a little annoyed. He turned as he felt a hand rest on his

shoulder. Maria gave him the faintest smile, reassuring him.

Isabelle sighed. Max had to make everything to dramatic. "Look, crash, 1947, that was

us. We are aliens." Isabelle said emphasizing the last word.

"Who is?" Mulder asked.

"Michael, Isabelle, and I. Maria and Liz didn't get mixed up with us till after Liz got

shot." Max told them. Now everything was out in the open.

"Are there anymore more of you?" Mulder asked. He couldn't believe this. He had found

the truth in 3 teenagers.

"There where. But we don't know if there are anymore." Isabelle said a little sadly.

"Do you have powers?" Mulder asked curiously.

"Yes." Max admitted. "We can heal, move things, change the molecular structure, go into

other peoples dreams. There are other things, to many to go into. We don't want to hurt

anyone. We just want to find out where we came from, and maybe get there someday."

"Okay." Scully said. Of course she knew Mulder would start his numerous row of

question. But she had other matter that need attending to. "Even though I lean more

towards the scientific side of things I knew something was wrong here. So now we know

why. What we don't know is what is wrong with Maria. You said you would tell us."

Max turned and looked at Maria. This was her turn to tell. But like last time she wouldn't

open her mouth. But Michael did.

"There is nothing wrong with Maria. We know what to do for her." Michael told the

women.

Scully looked at the boy. "Maybe I should make myself clearer. What happened before

was not natural. Not for a human like Maria. Now the conclusion I am drawing is that it

has something to do with the baby she is carrying. But why?"

"Michael is the father." Maria admitted and looked down at him. "The baby is only half

human. The other half is whatever he is."

"It's a hybrid." Scully forced out.

Maria looked up at her a little confused. "Yea, I guess."

Scully turned to look at Mulder. Would it be the same situation as hers? Or would this

baby be able to be saved.

"Maria is only human, she can't give the baby enough energy to survive on. So it takes it

from her. Then we have to give her energy. Unless it's Michael. For some reason when

Michael does it the baby takes the energy from him. It may know he is the father. We're

not sure." Max admitted. And that was the scariest part of all. Because at this point

anything could happen with Maria and Michael.

Scully studied the two kids. It was obvious there was some attraction there. But she

would never have guessed that it was him that was the father. But of course it had to be

between one of the two boys. And he was the obvious one. "Maria needs to see a doctor."

Now she'd done it. There where a chorus of no's and there reasons followed. Once it was

all over Maria began talking.

"We can't do that. They'll know something is wrong. Max had gotten in a car wreck and

they had FBI agents there at the hospital. We just can't do it." Maria said decidedly and

shook her head.

Scully frowned. She turned her attention towards Michael. "Is that what you think to?"

she asked him but his ace remained neutral. "If the rest of you willing sit back for the

next few months who knows what could happen. It may not even take a total of 9

months. You said so yourself, you know nothing. You need some sort of help. Even if it

isn't the kind of doctor you should be seeing." Scully said.

Mulder turned to Scully. She was actually serious. He turned to look back at the kids.

"Scully can help you. Kind of. She isn't the kind of doctor you need to see, but she can

help. I would recommend taking her offer, because you have no idea what you are

dealing with." Mulder told the kids evenly.

"And you do?" Liz asked.

Mulder didn't answer.

Scully turned her head to look away.

"When can you um, you know." Maria said uncomfortably.

"Right now." Scully said and stood up.

"Now?" Maria asked and watched to petite women.

"It's after midnight, we can go to the hospital." Mulder explained and stood up following

Scully.

"But we can't just break in there." Maria said and pushed herself up off the couch.

"Why not?" Mulder asked.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I don't like this." Michael said and jumped up off the chair once again pacing in the dim

room.

"Michael, just calm down, I think they can help her." Max told him. Of course he was a

little anxious himself.

Liz pushed herself up off of a couch and made her way over to a shelf of books. Instead

of going to a hospital they had broken into a doctors office. One that dealt with women in

Maria's condition. Well, not exactly Maria's condition. But close enough. So that had

been sitting in the doctors office waiting while Agent Scully looked over Maria. Agent

Mulder had left to make sure none of the other Agents had followed them. But he would

be back soon. She turned away from the shelf of books and looked to the others. "I think

they know more then there letting on."

"What do you mean Liz?" Max asked kindly.

"Well, as soon as they found out about Maria, they knew it as a hybrid. I would think

most people would think of it as half alien or something." Liz explained.

"So what. Maybe there all into alien technical terms." Isabelle shrugged it off.

"But that's not all. It actually seemed to worry Agent Scully. Then Agent Mulder said we

don't have any idea what we're dealing with. I don't know about the rest of you but it

sounds like to me they know more about what is going on then we do. I mean they may

not have known about you three being what you are, but they know something." Liz

firmly believed they did. While the others did all the talking she observed them. And it

seemed to her like the two agents where silently thinking the same things.

"Like what?" Michael asked starting to get suspicious.

"I don't know. I just think there is something there." Liz told him.

Isabelle sighed. "Look don't go get Michael all riled up."

"I am not riled up." Michael grounded out.

Isabelle frowned at him but didn't respond.

"We're safe. For the moment." Mulder said as he stepped in quietly. "Are they still in

there?"

The kids nodded.

Mulder nodded and took a seat in one of the chairs.

Liz decided to take a leap and find out what really is going on. "Agent Mulder, earlier

when you said that we had no idea what was going on, do you? Because it sounds to me

at least like you know more then you are letting on."

"We've seen things. Things that no one wanted us to see." Mulder admitted to them. But

he stopped there.

"But you said that we had no idea what we are dealing with. I assume that you where

referring to Maria and the baby. But do you?" Liz pushed.

"It isn't my secret to tell." Mulder said to Liz using her words from earlier.

Liz frowned. "Then who's is it?"

Mulder look towards where Scully and Maria where. "Not mine." he repeated. But he had

made it obvious.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Well it looks like a human baby." Scully informed Maria.

Maria let out a relieved breath. "Good."

"You didn't think it would be?" Scully inquired.

"Well they didn't know how they looked before. For all they knew they could be green

with big buggy eyes. They woke up looking like human. They don't know anything from

before that." Maria revealed.

"How did you get involved in this?" Scully asked as she continued to examine Maria.

"Well Liz told me. She had to tell someone." Maria told the women. She didn't mind

talking with her about this. It was nice talking to someone different about it. And she had

a feeling she could trust her.

"And what about Michael?" Scully inquired casually since the girl seemed pretty

willingly to talk.

"That had been a mistake." Maria said a frowned. "Well according to him it had been."

"And to you?" Scully stopped what she had been doing and looked at the girl.

Maria sighed. "That didn't matter. Michael had to be alone, or at least he thought so, and

I couldn't stop him. He pretty much cuts himself off from everyone. All he is set on is

finding home. He doesn't trust anyone outside of Max and Isabelle."

Scully smiled. That reminded her of someone she knew. Except that Maria was cut off

from Michael. Scully was the only one that Mulder trusted. "So does he trust you?"

"I think so. But he doesn't want to get involved in anything. He has one goal. And nothing

will get in the way." Maria sad sadly.

"Well something is in the way now." Scully decided.

"Yea. But I'm sure he doesn't want it there." Maria said and focused on something further

away.

"Maria do they know anything about what happens with a baby from there race, or when

someone gets pregnant with one?" Scully inquired drawing the conversation away from

the subject.

"No. We discovered about the baby pulling my energy the day after you told me I might

be pregnant. I had went to see Max first. He's more levelheaded, and he is like Michael. I

would never go to see Michael first. I showed I'm my stomach, and told him it was like

that the night before when I fainted. He had an idea of what to do. It worked."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Well, what's the verdict?" Mulder asked as Scully drug him into the back alone.

"She seems fine. The baby seems fine. But Mulder I can't help but be worried. Two

separate species are not meant to reproduce." Scully voiced her worries.

"But Scully you said there where okay." Mulder told her.

"For now they are. But what about when she has a baby. Or after the pregnancy. They

said so themselves, they have to give her life to that she can support the baby. If they

have to do that it is obvious that it isn't meant to be. Look Mulder here is my whole point.

How do we know that her situation will be any different from mine." Scully threw out.

Mulder was a little taken aback. It was something they rarely talked about. But he had

thought about that to. "Maybe you should tell them." Mulder offered softly.

Scully looked off in the distance. "Yea I know." Scully said softly and walked towards

the door.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"What do you think there talking about?" Isabelle asked nervously.

"I don't know Iz." Max told her.

"Maria, what did she do?" Liz asked.

"I don't know doctor stuff. But she said that the baby looked normal. Not like deformed

or anything." Maria said.

"Well isn't that lovely. But we discovered earlier you didn't trust us. We wouldn't want

something green and slimy coming out." Michael said spitefully from the corner he was

leaning in.

Maria jumped up form the couch and turned to face him. She didn't understand him

anymore. Well she hadn't really before. But now he was confusing the hell out of her.

"What the hell is your problem?!?! You hunt me down saying your worried then you start

making assumptions about how I feel. Then you come to the Crashdown worried. And

now your bitching at me again."

"Maria." Liz said softly and motioned to the agents who had just emerged from another

room.

"No. He is going to tell me what his problem is." Maria said and walked past Liz then

past the two agents until she was standing only a couple of feet from Michael. "I'm

waiting."

"My problem is you." Michael said and stood up strait stepping forward.

"Then why bother with me? Why supposedly worry about me then turn around and be a

bastard to me? And I want the truth. I don't want because you hate me or some stupid

reason. The real reason." She ordered him.

"You want the real reason, fine. Because now I can't leave. Of course you would think me

a bastard for thinking that. I have waited my whole life to find a way home. I have been

stuck here, and now I can never leave." Michael told her.

"No one is stopping you. You want to leave when mother ship lands go right ahead."

Maria told him angrily.

"I'm stopping myself. I did this I can't just leave." Michael shot back.

"You didn't do it on your own! You can go, I don't need you here!" Maria yelled at him.

"Well to bad! I'm not going anywhere!" Michael told her.

"Well I don't want you here then! You never wanted to be here in the first place, that was

very obvious. So don't feel compelled to stay. Because then you would actually have to

commit to something. And we wouldn't want you to have to do that." Maria said with

venom in her voice. Maria apologized to the baby inside of her and begged that the

feeling of weakness would leave her body. But it began to grow stronger. She ignored it

though. She wasn't through with Michael. "Because you've got to be on your own. It's all

about you. No one else has any problems except you. Right!? Right Michael?!?!?! But

your always right to. So of course I'm wrong!" Maria yelled. As she expected his eyes

held nothing but contempt. She was so confused by him. He supposedly cared about her,

but then he went and did things like this. Maria grabbed a hold of the desk to support

herself. "But what I think doesn't matter does it?" Maria said softly and crumpled to the

ground.

"Oh shit." Michael cursed and went down to the floor the moment Maria fell. He grabbed

her in his arms and brought her over to the couch. Michael sat down quickly still cradling

Maria in his arms and lifted up her shirt. It was once again glowing. She had to stop

doing this to herself. Whenever she got worked up this happened. Michael braced himself

and placed his hand on her stomach. He felt the power being yanked from him, and he

just let it go. Maybe the baby would have enough sense to take to much and put him out

of his misery. Because at this point in his life nothing could get better. Nothing. As if

someone heard his thoughts, pictures began to flash in front of his eyes. And he saw

himself threw Maria's eyes. He didn't feel the emotions that he thought where there, he

felt pain as he left her, and the pure love that she felt when being around him. Then as

soon as it was over his eyes snapped open and a pitiful wail escaped Maria's lips.

Something was different this time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Max." Michael called out unsurely as Maria clutched her stomach.

Scully pushed through the kids and checked Maria's pulse.

"Michael didn't you give her power?" Max asked as he tried to get to them.

"It happened the same way before. It was taken. Max, what the hell is wrong

with her?!?" Michael yelled and looked at him.

"Bring her back here." Scully said and jumped up and moved towards the room

she and Maria had been in just earlier. "Lay her on the table."

Michael did as she said and stepped back watching with pain as Maria

continued to moan and grip at her stomach. "Max." Michael said hoping his

friend would come up with an idea.

I don't know Michael, sorry." Max said and watched with worry at the scene

unfolding before them.

"Get out. All of you." Scully ordered to Mulder.

"Scully...." Mulder began.

"Now!" she yelled.

Mulder nodded and began to pull the kids out.

"No, I am not leaving her." Michael said and pushed away.

"Michael, you can't help her." Max told him. "Come on."

Michael allowed Max to pull him out. The last thing he saw was Agent Scully

putting on latex gloves.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Scully slumped down into a chair and watched the sleeping girl. She just

couldn't understand what had happened. She was to shocked to even move. She

reached into her pocked and pulled out her cell phone. With a push of a

button the speed dial did the work.

"Hello?"

"Get in here. Only you." Scully said and clicked end. She sighed and waited

patiently. A moment later the door opened then closed.

"Scully, is she-" Mulder began hesitantly.

"No. She's alive and healthy, but different." Scully told him. Of course it

made no sense. "The baby is gone."

"Gone?" Mulder asked confused.

"It was there after you all left. But moments later it was gone. She began

screaming and shaking, then it all halted. Mulder I don't know." Scully said

and sighed.

"Scully we don't know anything about there race. We aren't supposed to know

what could happen. It wasn't your fault." he said and walked over to her

kneeling down in front of her.

"I know. It just isn't right." she let out another sigh. "Lets go. They need

to know."

Mulder nodded and stood up, waiting while Scully prepared herself to deliver

the news.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Scully stepped out of the office and had numerous sets of eyes on her. She

looked at Mulder and saw his support in his own eyes. She turned and against

her will, met Michael eyes. They where anxious, and worried. She walked over

and took a seat slowly. "Maria is okay." She heard a relieved sigh come from

the group. "But-" she paused for a moment. "But the baby isn't."

"What do you mean the baby isn't?" Michael asked as if he could hardly

believe it.

"The baby is gone. I don't know what happened. It was there when you left.

Then later she began to scream and shake and then it was gone." Scully said

and shook her head.

"How can the baby just be gone!" Michael exclaimed angrily.

Mulder jumped up. "Look Scully did all she could for something she knew

nothing about."

"We know that." Max said coming to Michael defense. "We didn't expect this

to happen. But you did." Max said pointedly. Scully shook her head sadly.

"There hadn't been time to tell you."

"Tell us what?" Isabelle asked confused.

"Humans cannot be mixed with your species." Scully said.

"You never mentioned this. And how are you so sure?" Michael asked watching

the couple cautiously.

Scully sighed and looked around uncomfortably. This wasn't her she was

usually brave, not taking anything from anyone. But how do reveal something

as painful as this? "A while back I disappeared. For three months. We're not

to sure what happened. Some time after I was returned we discovered that

ovaries had been taken from my body, and that they had been used to make

hybrids." Scully pushed the words out of her mouth.

"Wh-what happened?" Liz asked softly.

Scully looked at the girl pointedly. "They hadn't been that old. They where

young little girls. But they died. Most likely they weren't made right. My

ovaries couldn't support them." "I'm sorry." Liz said genuinely.

"It was a while ago." Scully said trying to regain herself. "Not that long

ago." Mulder said softly.

Scully didn't respond. She sighed and pushed up the strong facade although

she was still hurting. "Something happened to Maria. Something inside her

changed. It became stronger. I don't think the baby could get enough energy,

so it gave out. Maybe in your race when a baby can't survive that is how a

miscarriage takes place. But it disappeared. But I think the energy it was

getting from either one of you three also was used to strengthen herself."

"Can she still have babies?" Liz asked worried for her friend. Scully

nodded. "Not only that she would most likely be able to support another baby

that was a hybrid. That's if it happened again." "Can we see her?" Liz asked

hopefully.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In a moment all the pain and fear was gone and Maria felt the blankness. She

couldn't see it in a physical sense, but she felt it. She couldn't talk

either. She opened her mouth to cry out but no words escaped for the simple

fact that her body was not there. But she could feel and she could think. It

seemed like it all only took place in a second. But the time continued to

pass in an agonizing way. And in her mind she cried out at the sudden loss.

"No." Maria sobbed softly. "Maria calm down." Scully said trying to soothe

the just awakened girl. "It's gone. It was just taken from me." Maria cried.

"And I couldn't stop it. I tried to." Maria looked around at the people

standing around her. When she caught site of Michael she did nothing but

stare at him. "The baby is gone, isn't it?" Maria asked softly. "I'm sorry."

Scully said sadly.

Maria ground her jaw together in a vain attempt to keep herself in control.

Her face was determined, but her eyes told a different story. She blinked

quickly, trying to rid herself of the tears forming in her eyes, but to no

avail they fell. Maria looked down at the ground and let them flow quietly.

Soon she found herself enveloped in her crying friends arms. Maria quickly

wrapped her arms around Liz as if she was the only thing standing between

life and death. And at this point it was true. She opened her eyes, that she

had just recently squeezed shut. But the object that she sought had

disappeared. Again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She was right. He did run. All to often. And it was turning in a bad habit

that allowed him to escape from any painful situation. Even if that meant

leaving someone else to deal with it. Someone that he didn't want to hurt.

Okay he was scared. So what. No, he admitted it. But what good would it do

him. Now he wouldn't accomplish anything. At least before he was able to

convince himself that he needed to stay away from her. Of course now he

wasn't sure what he was telling himself. He should have been there, for her.

Michael had taken a part in this whole situation, and he left her alone,

leaving her to deal with all the pain. He wasn't worthy of anyone. Yes, she

still wanted him. Although he was sure she didn't want to want him at this

point.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Maria admitted painfully to herself that although what happened tonight tore

her apart, a part of her felt relieved. And everything else besides that

part took shame at those thoughts. But even as she didn't want to, she

admitted to herself, now that her and Michael's baby was gone, there would

be know fear of FBI agents finding out, or the embarrassment and pain at

being pregnant at her age. Then there was the other side. The side that just

lost a child. And it tore her insides into shreds. It brought her to an

agonizing place that she never knew existed. She had been carrying something

inside of her. Something hers. And now, less then five days after finding

out, it is gone. And it had been her fault, she hadn't been able to give the

baby enough energy. So the baby suffered and then died in the end. Why

someone should be allowed to feel that much agonizing pain she couldn't

understand. But as she laid on her bed crying she realized that you could

feel that way.

Through some miracle after hours of fussing over, she had been allowed to be

alone and on her own, in her own room. Maria held back the tears that wanted

to escape her, reassuring Liz and the others that she would be okay and that

this was for the best. And maybe it was, but it still hurt. So now here she

was crying on her bed. Balled up kleenex lay thrown in a pile on side of her

bed, she continuously heaved in deep breaths as she sobbed wildly. After

over an hour of her endless cries her stomach felt like it had been

literally twisted in knots and she felt as if she would throw up.

Maria looked in the mirror, and a hideous site stared back. It couldn't be

her, it looked nothing like her. The image in the mirror had taken on her

form but not fully. It had puffy, blood shot eyes. The face was wet from

tears, and the nose was red. The lips seemed more full then usual to. But it

was her. The worst image of herself. One that had been broken repeatedly

until left limp and dying. But that would have been to good for her. Death.

It would have been a relief. Because now HER baby was dead, and she was left

here alone, with no one to share her pain. Which brought on more distressing

thoughts. Because there should have been someone with her, hurting, the same

way she was. Someone that would hold onto her to comfort her and himself.

But he had escaped the situation. Could she blame him for wanting to? Yes,

Very easily. Michael claimed that he wouldn't have been able to leave

because of what had been inside of her. But he ran didn't he? Or maybe he

ran because he didn't have to stay now. The baby was gone. She had known him

to be a little rough around the edges. But she never thought him bad enough

that he would leave her like that. Broken.

Why this had happened she couldn't understand. If she couldn't support the

baby why had she been able to get pregnant in the first place. She had

thought about it over the past couple of days. But then she thought she

might be able to support it with Max, Isabelle, and Michael help. But that

wasn't true. Maybe it was a cruel tactic of fate. Or maybe it was just one

of those things. Or maybe their species are so similar to humans that it

allowed her to get pregnant. Who cares. But something shouldn't have

happened. Either she shouldn't have gotten pregnant, or she shouldn't have

lost the baby. Or maybe that one kiss at the Crashdown should never have

happened. But they did. They did share a kiss, and she did get pregnant, and

she did lose the baby. This is how it was before though. She didn't have

Michael and she hadn't been pregnant. So she was safe. But the only problem

now was that before she hadn't had a baby and lost it. This time she had.

And now she was still alone.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Michael eased open the window slowly. The air of the room smelled neglected.

Or rather seemed neglected. And to another person it might sound ridiculous.

But the scents that Maria used and adored where lost to the room. It was a

subtle sign that the Maria from over a week ago was not the same one curled

up on the edge of her bed. Would he ever get her back? But he never really

had her in the first place. At this point he didn't want her back. That was

to much to ask. He just wanted her happy and free of worry and pain. He shut

the window, blocking out the chilly night air, and walked slowly across the

room. When he stood in front of her he kneeled down slowly. Her image

resembled one of a tortured soul. She was wrapped tightly around one of her

pillows, her face was red and her eyes where puffy. Her hair, that was

usually fixed up neatly, sometimes with clips, and sometimes fixed in ways

he couldn't imagine with short hair, was now stringy and a mess. If him,

Max, and Isabelle could heal, why couldn't he heal this. Heal her pain. Or

at least transfer it to himself. He had learned to live with pain and loss,

she shouldn't have to.

Why this loss of the baby brought him less pain then it did her he couldn't

understand. It almost made him feel worthless. Like he didn't care. But he

had, about her. Maybe that was it. He had cared more about her safety. But

that had been his child to. One of his flesh in blood. Or maybe it was just

this motherly bond everyone always talks about. But right now he concern was

about her. He didn't want to leave her. He was scared he would lose her all

over again. So he sat on the floor and positioned himself against her

bedstand. Maybe Maria thought she was alone, but he wasn't going to leave

her tonight. Even if she didn't know it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Even as Maria began to wake up she knew what had happened. And she wished

beyond all odds that she could sleep, and not have to deal with any of it.

She opened her eyes quickly as she heard a sound. Only a little over a feet

away from her she found Michael sitting on her floor. He had his legs bent

and his arms crossed on his knees, and his head laying on top of them. He

was asleep. A thought occurred to her to hit him. But it was quickly left.

It was instead replaced by a feeling of relief. Relief that she had been

wrong and that he really didn't leave her. She reached out slowly with her

hand, until she reached his head, and began slowly running her fingers

through is spiky, brown hair. She wanted to wrap her arms around him a revel

in the thought that he was there with her. Maybe she should be mad at him

for the fact that he left her when she needed him. But he didn't want to

leave her alone. He had been scared. And Michael never really dealt well

with intense situations. Either he became angry or he ran.

Michael was slowly pulled away from sleep and became aware of something

running softly through his hair. He opened his eyes but didn't lift his head

but his eyes did open. And through the corner of his eyes he could see

Maria's face. And it was almost peaceful. Content. Everything it should be.

Could he do that to her? Actually help her feel better? Then why did he

continue to hurt her? He turned his head slowly with the side of his face

resting on his arms. As he did her hand stilled, and with the movement of

his head her hand slid to the side of his face.

Her eyes met his, and unfortunately hers held fear. So he didn't move.

Because she seemed like a scared kitten.

And any movement at this point would send her running. So he sat there,

still. Her eyes softened and she ran her thumb softly over his cheek. The

look on her face became pained as she tried to hold back her emotions. He

pushed himself off the ground onto his knees and she quickly snatched her

hand away. He grabbed it though gently. Her face showed genuine fear, but he

tried to push the look out of his mind. He brought his hands down to her

sides and released her wrist only to slide his hands around her waist and

slide her towards him. Once he pulled her against him he sat back on the

floor, holding her to him. Her arms wrapped around his neck tightly and she

cried softly.

Her thoughts where some jumbled. Even as more of the pain leaked from her

body, her tears didn't only express that. They expressed relief. Relief at

knowing he was there for her. And happiness for the simple fact that he was

there holding her.

"I won't leave you." he said softly into her shoulder. Even though she had

her arms wrapped around him tightly, he found that his grip around her waist

was firm. He didn't want to let her go.

Her cries came harder now, and she felt his arms tighten. Of course that

didn't help either. It only made her realize even more how much he meant it,

and how much he really cared for her. Because now he was holding her, like

he should have been in the first place.

The End.