A Little Help From Friends (R)

"She may not make it out of the building."

"Shut up, Krycek," Skinner snarled as Mulder looked over at Scully.  She was shaking her head, staring down at her hands, overwhelmed.  Skinner watched Mulder then, his anguish at not knowing what was the right thing to do was eating him alive.  Skinner stepped into his outer office and picked up the phone.  He spoke quickly and quietly, then thanked the person on the other line and hung up.  There wasn't much time.

"We've got to get her out of here," Mulder turned to Skinner when he returned.

"Doggett's working on it."

"Doggett?" Mulder's brow furrowed.

Skinner glanced over at Krycek and Mulder subsided.  Skinner leaned over Scully.  "Go splash some water on your face.  It's going to be okay."

Her expression didn't make it seem as though she agreed, but she allowed him to help her to her feet.  She moved slowly to the ladies' room and Mulder watched her go, his fear increasing exponentially with her distance from his side.

With no one watching him, Skinner slipped out the other door to his office and hurried to the ladies' room himself.  He let himself in and spotted Scully clutching the sink, her eyes closed.  "Are you okay?"

"Peachy," she said, not bothering to look at him.

"I guess that's better than 'fine'," he watched as she turned to glare at him.  "I've got an idea."

*****

Doggett had joined them now and Mulder took him by the arm, pulling him into the outer office.  "Skinner says you have a plan."

Doggett nodded.  "Agent Reyes is on her way here.  We've got to get Scully into her car and make sure they get out of the parking lot.  Monica will take her to safe place, keep her there until after the baby's born."

"How safe?"

"No one knows about this place, not even Monica, yet."

"Don't tell anyone else where it is.  No one, do you hear me?  Not even me."

Doggett nodded.  They looked up as Skinner escorted Scully back into the room.

"You - "

"Don't ask, please," Scully said wearily and Mulder subsided.

"Let's get downstairs." 

No one but Skinner noticed the other elevator already headed for the parking garage level.  Doggett was out of the elevator first, watching for Monica's car.  Skinner lead Mulder and Scully in that direction when they all heard Doggett's voice.

"Get back!  Get back!" 

Mulder didn't hesitate, getting Scully back in the elevator, as Skinner joined him.  Skinner looked over at Scully and she nodded. 

Skinner had his phone out then and Mulder could hear Doggett's voice.  "He's on the stairs, coming up."

When the doors opened again, Krycek was standing there.  "Hey, look who's back."

"He's in the building," Skinner said, not needing to elaborate on who 'he' was.

"What do you want me to do?"

"You're going to protect her."  Mulder gently pushed Scully out of the elevator.  She and Krycek stare at each other an instant, both stunned, then she turned to look at Mulder.  They exchanged no words, and the elevator door closed.  Krycek pulled her back into an office and out of sight.

Billy Miles stepped out of the stairwell, took one look at the elevator display and ducked back into the stairs moving upward.

"I think we better get you back downstairs."

"What about Billy?"

"Mulder and Skinner can handle him.  While he's heading in a different direction  we need to get out of here."  Scully said nothing, allowing him to escort her back onto the elevator.   She had him step out of the elevator ahead of her, to look around and she quickly slipped off her coat, passing it to the person hiding in the shadows.  That person quickly slipped it on and with her face turned away and a scarf over her hair, the other person took the seat in Monica's car.  Scully took advantage of everyone's attention being on the car and slipped into the stairwell.

She carefully made her way down to the X-Files office and locked herself in.  If it didn't work . . . well, she couldn't think about that right now. 

She was isolated down here, not knowing what was going on and it was driving her mad.  She knew Skinner would come for her or something as soon as he could, but in the meantime she was ready to scream.

She was in the dark, not positive that light wouldn't show around the door.  She took Mulder's old chair, it was larger and somehow more comforting under the circumstances.  She wanted to rest, but her mind wouldn't turn off.  What was happening out there?  Had they been able to stop Billy?  Had Monica gotten away, if not they'd be looking for her again and soon.  Maybe they were already on the way.  Where was safe?

It felt like hours, though she knew the dark magnified the time, when she heard footsteps coming toward the door.  She carefully rose from the chair and moved back out of sight, drawing the gun Skinner had slipped her.

The key turned and the door opened.  She shielded her eyes as the light was snapped on and to her relief, Mulder stood there, closing the door behind him.  He was safe, he was here.

"Thank goodness," she said, stepping out.

He jerked, pulling his gun out before he realized what he was seeing.  He looked horrified.  "No!  You were supposed to get away!  You can't be here!"  His hands were locking the door behind him even as he spoke.

"Skinner didn't tell you?"

"Skinner just killed Krycek.  We haven't had much time to chat."

"He killed him?"

"Beat me to it.  What happened?  You were supposed to leave with Reyes."

"Skinner arranged a switch.  When Krycek made that comment, about me not even getting out of the building - " she watched Mulder's hands become fists.  "He realized it might be safer for me not to try.  Kim switched with me."

"Skinner's Kim?"

"She took my coat and she was wearing padding.  No one realized."

"Monica knows by now."

"Kim will have explained it to her.  What happened with Billy Miles?"

"We dropped him six floors into a trash truck.  If that didn't kill him, nothing will.  We watched it crush him."

Neither said anything for a moment.  "If anyone else was watching, following, they're going after Kim.  No one's going to look for me here."

"It's not a bad plan," Mulder admitted.  "But you can't stay here indefinitely."

"No.  Where are Skinner and Doggett?"

"Getting rid of the body.  I offered to help, but Skinner sent me here.  Now I understand why.  We can't go back to your place, or mine.  Your mother - "

"No.  I can't put her in that kind of danger.  Right now only the three of us know I'm here.  I think that's the best way."

"But you can't stay here.  You can't be comfortable and - "

"I'm not 'comfortable' anywhere, Mulder.  I know what you're saying."  She held up her hand.  "But for right now, until we hear from Skinner at least, I need to stay here.  You don't have to sta- "  His look of absolute disbelief stopped her words.  "Sorry."

"You don't really believe that do you?"

She sighed and eased herself back into the chair.  "No, I was being polite.  I'm over it now."  Mulder managed a chuckle and perched on the desk above her.

He looked around the room.  "Feels like old times."

"Maybe to you," she caressed her swollen abdomen.  "Maybe you should turn the lights back off.  I don't know if you can see light though the bottom of the door or not."

Instead of plunging them into the dark, Mulder picked up Doggett's jacket and draped it on the floor in front of the door.  "Can I get you anything?"

She closed her eyes and shook her head.  In minutes he realized she had fallen asleep.  He stayed where he was, watching her.  How the hell did he keep her, keep them safe?  When he'd gone off with Doggett to the oil rig he'd jokingly told her to tell the kid he'd gone down fighting.  That's what he'd do, for them, but he wanted to be here.  That lump was going to turn into a baby soon, damn soon, and he wanted . . . He wanted it, the whole enchilada, whatever she'd let him have.

 

He quietly let himself off the desk and moved to the smaller desk and chair that she used.  Doggett had gotten her a desk, or she'd gotten herself one when she became the lead agent.  That sent another shaft of guilt through him. 

Where was Skinner?  How long would it take he and Doggett to get rid of Krycek?  Shit, it could take all night.  At least no one would be in the building.  Did they clean this room any better than they used to when he was down here?

He looked over as she stirred in his chair, restless for a moment, then she was asleep again.  He was frankly surprised that she was able to sleep at all with all the pressure she was under.  No matter how much help he or anyone else tried to be, currently she was the one who could really protect her child.

She couldn't be comfortable in the chair.  There was a couch in the storeroom.  He couldn't get the couch into the office, but he could bring in the cushions.  He could make her a sort of bed in the back area.

He checked the hall and since it was empty, he hurried to the storeroom and grabbed up the cushions.  After checking again, he returned to the office and locked it back.  He spread the coat back in front of the door and lay the cushions out.  He took a lab coat she had left on the back of the door and spread it over the cushions.  It wasn't perfect, but it would be better than the chair.  Now, should he wake her?

As though she heard the thought, she stirred again and stretched.

"Scully?  You okay?"

"Wha-, oh yeah."  She rubbed her eyes.  "Think it's clear for me to go to the bathroom?"

"Yeah, it should be.  Even the cleaning people should be gone by now, not that they ever came down here."

She held out her hand to be helped up and he gently lifted her to her feet and held her until he was sure she was steady.  She stretched, massaging her stomach, her expression troubled.

"Scully?"

"I'll be right back." 

He checked the hall for her and wanted to stand guard, but knew that would look suspicious is someone did come their way.  Instead he waited impatiently for her to return to the office.  He had the door open before she was even close.  "What took so long?"

She glared at him, but didn't respond.

"Sorry, I'm a little on edge."

Scully nodded and started for the chair again.  She stopped abruptly and he had to dance around her to keep from bowling her over.  "Scully?"

"I, I just felt a contraction."

"A contract -  No."

"What do you mean, no?" She looked up at him.

"I mean now is not a good time for you to go into labor."

"Oh, so you made these arrangements with the baby and didn't  bother to tell me?"  Her eyebrow was rising.

"Come on, Scully.  You know - "

"Yes, I know.  My going into labor right now would be a major inconvenience for you."

"That's not," he stopped and took a deep breath.  "I'm sorry.  Do you think it's the real thing or maybe false labor?"

"It's too soon to be sure, but . . . "

"But what?" He was leaning over her now, looming actually.  "Scully?"

"My water broke."

He glanced down.

"No, in the bathroom.  I didn't realize . . . It's real."  She looked up prepared to defend her words but his panic face was in evidence now.  "Mulder?"

"Yeah, we've got to get you to a hospital."

"A hospital, in the greater DC area, Northern Virginia and Maryland.  I don't think so."

"You don't think what?"

"I don't think there's a hospital or clinic within 500 miles that would safe for me to give birth in right now.  That's why John was having Monica take me away."

"But we've got to get you out of here.  We, we can drive toward Philly.  It's a couple of hours, but - " He stopped as he realized she was having another contraction.  Shit, he hadn't looked at his watch.  How far apart were they?

When it was through she straightened her shoulders and looked around the office.  He realized she was checking out the makeshift bed he had put together.  "No."

She turned to look at him.  "No?"

"No, you cannot have the baby here.  You need competent, qualified MDs to - "

"It will be safer here."

He just stared at her then.

"You can help me."

"Me?"  He was literally backing away now.  "You need someone who knows what they're doing!"

"You had the training at the academy, and you've been to the classes with me - "

"I was imagining staying at your head during those classes.  Scully, you do not want me to be in charge of something like this, I - "

"I trust you."

If she'd socked him in the gut she couldn't have taken his breath away any more effectively.  "Don't."

"Why not?"

"You need better than me."

"A stranger who doesn't care about me or my baby?"

"Scully - "

"We have some time.  Dance with me?"

"Dance?"  He had to have misheard her, but when she came into his arms and they swayed together he understood.  She was helping him relax, ground himself.  She trusted him with this?  They hadn't talked about the baby, not really.  He'd reacted as though she'd betrayed him when he was first returned.  He no longer thought that, but it still wasn't a topic that they could discuss.  Now she wanted him to help her deliver the baby?  Okay, when she had asked him to attend the Lamaze classes with her, that had been a statement of a kind, right?  That kind of help he might be able to handle, but this . . .

"Mulder?"

"Yeah?"

"You okay?"

He looked down at her almost ready to laugh, when he realized she was having another contraction.  This time he checked his watch, eight minutes.  Okay, the instructor at the class said to leave for the hospital prior to five minutes, of course she'd also said to go on immediately if her water broke.  "Scully?"

She took a deep cleansing breath.  "We can do this."  It sounded as though she was reassuring herself as much as him.  Hell, she knew all the problems she'd had with this pregnancy, better than he did.  Did she really want this?  Of course if she'd gone off with Reyes she probably would be facing the same thing, but . . .

"What do you need me to do?"

She smiled at those words and rested her head against his chest, as though listening to his heartbeat.  "I have a first aid kit in my bottom drawer."

"I'm going to help you deliver a baby using a first aid kit," he said with a hint of a smile.

"There's also a bottle of alcohol, which we can use to sterilize whatever we need.  I have floss in the top drawer."

"Floss?  Don't they come out without teeth?" 

Okay, he was grinning now.  She knew he was scared, hell, she was scared, but they were together.  "To tie off the cord," she said dryly.

"Ahh," he pulled her against him again. Drawing or giving strength, he wasn't sure, but it felt good.

She leaned against the desk as he located the stuff on her short list of essentials.  He thought it was a very small list indeed, but no doubt there was more here than in most offices they could have been holed-up in.  He placed the items beside the 'bed' and turned.  She had her eyes closed, breathing slowly, her hands rubbing circles on her abdomen.  He kept quiet until she opened her eyes.  "Another one?"

She nodded and stood upright.  "I should be walking or something."

"You're not going to get up much speed here.  I know," he stopped her, "but you've got to be exhausted.  I know you haven't been sleeping.  Just sit, or lay down, and talk to me."  He was startled to see the tears form in her eyes, but none fell.  Instead she nodded and resumed her seat in his old chair.  He crouched beside her.

"Is there anything you can tell me to do that will make this easier?"

She took his hand and closed her eyes again.  "No.  I'm sure you know as much about this as I do."

"Doubt it.  When I attended the class at the academy I confess I sat on the back row and tried not to watch."

"Mulder!"

"It's true.  I was much more attentive at the Lamaze classes, because, well, it affects me now.  This is a baby I'm waiting to meet, want to meet."

"Do you?"

"You know I do, don't you?"

"You've been a little more accepting lately."

"I know, I wasn't at my best when I first saw you, you know, like this."

"I couldn't exactly hide it."

He grinned.  "No, you couldn't.  You are so pregnant."

"Not for long," she said lightly.

"No, not for long.  I'm sorry I couldn't talk to you about it when I . . . returned, but - "  He stopped as her breathing changed.  He glanced down at his watch, seven minutes.

She relaxed and took his hand.  "No, you couldn't talk about it then.  I shouldn't have pushed."

"You didn't."

"Yes, well I tried to, but you weren't ready.  I should have taken what you went through into consideration more, but I was so relieved, so unbelievably happy to have you back, I . . . " she shrugged.

"I was pretty happy to be back."

"Until you saw what had gone on in your absence."

"Okay, I was a little crushed that you'd found someone to . . . " He waved his hand in the general direction of her stomach.

"You know I didn't.  I'm not generally known for being fickle and after waiting seven or eight years on you - "

"It is mine," he said softly.

"You knew that didn't you?  Really, from the start you knew."

He shook his head.  "No, I didn't have my feet under me.  I couldn't wrap my head around it.  It hadn't worked, that's all I could think at first.  To find out that the aftermath of the invitro not working resulted in this was just . . . " he shrugged again.

"You're okay with it, aren't you?"

"Very okay," he assured her instantly.  "I hate that I wasn't here to hold your hand when you were sick or tired, or see ultrasounds and stuff like that."

"You're here for the important stuff."

"Me and my trusty first aid kit?"

"You'll do fine, Mulder.  I have had the training, medical and FBI."

"I'd feel better if it was me having the baby and you attending rather than the other way around."

"Really?  If we have more - "

"No, not really, I'm trying to be supportive here and - " he stopped again as her breathing changed.  Still seven minutes, but barely.  That one had been visibly stronger.

"Mulder, I need to know if I'm dilating.  I'm sorry, but - "

"You're right, we need to know."

"Do you mind?  I can't really do it myself."

"Scully, relax.  We're going to do this together.  Whatever you need me to do, I'm going to do."  Again tears came to her eyes, but she blinked them back.

"Remind me to thank you some day."

"I'll make you change an extra diaper."

Tears did spill over then and she swiped them away.  "Sorry."

She started to rise from his chair to move to the cushions, but stopped. "Oh, oh god . . . "

"Breathe, Scully.  It'll hurt worse if you hold your breath.  Come on, breath and, and wiggle your toes.  Come on."  He was squatting beside her, eye level.  His hand was lightly resting on her rock hard stomach.  She focused on his eyes as she forced herself to breath. 

She sank back into the chair when the contraction lost its grip on her.  "Damn," she breathed.  He noted that she'd actually broken out in a sweat over that one and his fear ratcheted up a notch, not that he was going to let her see that.

"I, uh, I'm not sure my labor just started."

"What?"

"I may have been having contractions for most of the day."

"Uh, that might have been good information to have, Scully."

"They didn't hurt.  I guess that's why I didn't recognize . . . then when my water broke it kicked it up a notch."

"So it's not a precipitous - "

Her eyebrow rose.  "You were paying attention."

"This is about you.  Of course I was paying attention."

She took that in, unsure what to say.  Instead of commenting on it she asked another question.  "What was with the toe wiggling?  I think that actually helped."

"You can't tense your body when you're wiggling your toes.  That's why I never take off my shoes in the dentist office," he grinned.  "Come on, let's get you over to the bed before you have another one."

She didn't move, looking up at him.  "Can I do this?"

"You?  You're not the one I'm really worried about."

"I know you can do this, Mulder, but - "

"Okay, you're confident about me and I have confidence in you.  That makes both of us completely confident."  She opened her mouth, but he shook his head and took her arm.  "Come on."  He helped her to her feet, but kept his arm around her and helped her to the cushions. 

Once she was reclining, resting on her elbows, he removed her underwear, and picked up one of the gloves she'd had in her first aid kit.

She closed her eyes.  They hadn't been intimate since his return.  When he'd first been returned, he had been too traumatized by his ordeal and her 'condition' to even be alone with her, much less . . . Then the pregnancy had become too tenuous.  This was certainly not how she had imagined intimacy with him again.

"You ready?"

"You need to - "

"I know.  You just relax."

"Yeah, sure," she said softly, but he heard her. 

Okay, be calm, professional.  He winced as she writhed away from him.  "Sorry."

"It's okay," she sounded breathless.  He didn't believe her, but what was he supposed to say.

He held up his fingers and she looked at them wide-eyed.  "Scully?"

"Are you sure?"

"Do you want me to do it again?"

"No!  I, I'm at seven."

"Seven, that's good, isn't it?  Heading toward ten."

"Yes, I just didn't expect.  I was at two last time I went to the doctor - "

"Two?  I don't remember that conversation."

"You can be at two for weeks.  I didn't want you to worry."

"Uh, thanks?"

"Sorry.  But if I have been having contractions all day and then my water breaking.  This isn't going to take very long."

"Since your water did break that's a good thing.  You don't want to get an infection."

She stared at him.  "You just keep unfolding like a flower," she murmured and he grinned. That was cut short by a contraction that actually caused her to moan with it.  "Help me up," she said when she could.

"Up?  Don't you want to lie - "

"No, it hurts too much.  I need to move."

"Dance?"

She nodded.  Good, he could hold her that way, support her.  She had seemed to relax in his arms earlier.  Any comfort he could supply, it was hers.  They moved around the office, at times she perched on a chair, other times she leaned on the desk, or they swayed but always with his arms around her, holding her, together.

He realized that he was bearing her weight totally when  her knees gave out during a contraction, but she didn't even seem to notice, or mind, that he was supporting her.  "Tell me what you need," he whispered.

"Fix the bed, so that I can sit up a little to push."

"Do you need to push?" He could feel his blood pressure rise.

"Soon."

He seated her on the edge of his old chair and arranged the cushions as she had instructed, leaning one against the wall for her to brace against, since he couldn't support her back.  That left two cushions for her to lie on and in any case, it was the best he could do under the circumstances.

He turned back to her at her moan and as at her side.  He didn't speak, massaging her shoulders.  When she got her breath back, she nodded to him and he lifted her to her feet and supported her to the cushions.  It seemed as though there was barely time to reach them before another contraction had her in its grip.

"I know there's not much time, but try to relax between them," he said softly.

"Bar the door."

"What?  The door's locked."

"No, put something in front of it, files, something."

"We're going to have to get out sometime."

"Please!"

Okay, it wasn't an unreasonable request.  "Lie back."

He rose and began moving the filing cabinet closest to the door.  It was full and heavy as a . . . He managed to push it away from the others in the line and then crab walked it toward the door.  He shoved it tight against the door and then hurried back to her side.

"More," she managed to say.

Confused he looked down at her, but she gestured toward the door.  When she sank back against the cushion to rest, he hurried to his desk and began shoving it up against the file drawer he'd moved.  With it tight up against the cabinet, she seemed satisfied.

"Check . . . "

He understood and helped her get in position.  "It, it's time to push."

She nodded and took hold of her knees.  This was her show now.  She was resting after the first push, knowing the next contraction was only seconds away, when they both heard it - the doorknob turning.  Mulder froze, no friendly voice called out, Skinner or John, asking to be let in.

Scully looked at him, but the next contraction had her in its grip now.  Even as she pushed she was watching the door.

"They can't get it," Mulder reassured her.  "no one can - " the sound of the door jamb cracking causing them both to turn and stare at the door.

"Don't let them take him!  Mulder, don't let - "

"Shh, I won't.  Scully, no one's taking your baby.  Come on, push."  He removed his gun from the back of his waistband and laid it beside him on the floor.  They heard the desk shift just a bit.

"No!  You can't have him!  He's ours!"  Mulder heard those words, words he'd needed to hear, but not now.  No one would take this child while he lived.

"Scully, Scully look at me, trust me."  She met his eyes and he nodded.  "Push."  She did, locked onto his eyes, ignoring the sounds coming from the door and knowing, realistically there was nothing they could do, except deliver this baby.

He couldn't completely block out the other sounds, the desk moving just another inch, the file cabinet making a metallic sound as it moved, but Scully's sounds were more important.  "The head's out," he said it quietly, but the noises in the hall stopped.

He wiped the baby's mouth and nose.  "Come on, Scully.  Finish this up."  Their eyes locked again and she pushed.  One shoulder emerged, then the other and the baby tumbled into his hands, crying out his fury.

There was dead silence from the hall.

"You were right, it is a boy," he said laying the baby on her stomach.

"Is he okay?"

"Sounds great," he was smiling and only Scully realized they both were crying.  He took his t-shirt and wiped the boy off a little, then wrapped him in the soft cloth.

He rose then, picking up his gun.  "Mulder, no."

He shushed her and moved toward the door, staying below the level of the metal cabinet.  They both heard it, feet moving away.  Shit, how many people had been out there?  They seemed to be leaving, as though . . . as though they'd just wanted to be witness to the birth.  Mulder and Scully looked at each other in total confusion.

He shook his head and returned to her side, keeping the gun in easy reach.  He took a seat beside her.  "We need to get you to a hospital."

"Not yet."  She glanced toward the door again.

Not pleased, but forced to agree with her, he nodded.  "What do we do now?"

"I'm going to nurse him, try to get the contractions started again so I can deliver the afterbirth.  You okay?"

He closed his eyes and chuckled.  "Yeah, yeah, I'm okay."

She brought the baby to her breast and after only minimal fumbling, he latched on and began to suck.  Mulder stared, mesmerized.

"Mulder?  What are you thinking?"

"Lucky bastard," he smiled and she laughed out loud, knowing even as he worked to relieve her stress and tension, on some level he meant it.  That knowledge caused her to relax more.

The placenta was born quickly and at her instructions he placed it in a container and into the refrigerator.  The guys would store the core blood, that had already been arranged.

"Mulder, what happened?"

He shook his head.  "I don't know.  I wish I knew what was going on out there.  I expected Skinner before now."

"Wanted some help?"

He looked down at her startled.  "No.  I liked that we were together for this - now that it's over," he amended.

"You did great."

He huffed.  "You did great.  I just caught."  She handed him the baby over his protests and sat back against him, looking at the tiny boy in his arms.

"Don't believe that, Mulder.  I couldn't . . . I'm so glad you're here."  Tears flowed again and he wiped them gently away. 

"Just relax."  He pulled her against him with his spare arm and they sat that way for little while.  He heard the footsteps first, she may have been drowsing but when he tensed she stirred.  He put his finger to her lips and handed her back the sleeping infant.

"Shit!" Skinner's voice, he was obviously looking at the damaged door.  A hand turned the knob.  "Scully?"

Mulder looked over at her and shook his head, keeping her quiet. 

"John, help me, the door's stuck."

"Skinner?"

"Mulder!  Are you okay?  Where's Scully?"

"We're okay.  Who's with you?"

"John and I, we're alone."

"What's the last thing I watched you do?"  Mulder held the gun ready.

"I killed Krycek, then sent you to the office."

"Okay, I need to move some things."  It took him little time to move the furniture enough to get the door open.  He still held the gun steady when he told them to open the door.  They stepped inside and acknowledged the gun, their hands coming up to show they were not holding their own weapons.  Skinner looked over toward the makeshift bed and realized with a jolt what had transpired.

"Oh my god!  Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Mulder deadpanned as Skinner glared at him.  "We've been kind of busy."  He leaned over and took the baby back from her and turned to the two men.  John still hadn't spoken, his eyes glued to the baby, but his thoughts years away. Mulder placed the baby in Skinner's arms.

"Hey, no, I don't - "

"You're doing it right, just support the head."  Skinner looked down at the baby, so tiny in his arms.  John moved closer and let his hand lightly touch the child's cheek.

Skinner looked back up at Scully.  "What's his name?"

She smiled up at him, her eyes wet, but no tears were falling.  "William."

Both men turned to look at Mulder, but he was looking at Scully.  "Thank you," he mouthed and she nodded.

"Is anyone else out there?" Scully glanced back at the door.  "We heard - "

"They're gone.  What the hell was all that, anyway?"

"What?"

"The crowd that came up from down here."

"Crowd?" Scully looked over at Mulder.

"At least thirty people, men, women.  We ducked into a maintenance closet.  I only recognized Billy Miles."

Scully's gasp caused Skinner to look up.  "But Mulder said Billy - "

"Was smashed in a garbage truck.  Yeah, I know," Skinner said dryly.  "But it was him.  He was leading everyone out of here.  When I saw the door . . . "

"They were here, trying to get in.  Once the baby started coming they went silent, just listening, then, then they left."

Skinner and John just stared at him.  The baby snuffling drew Skinner's attention back and he turned to Mulder.  "You better take him."

Mulder smiled and did just that.  Scully made no comment on his ease with handing the baby.  He'd been the first to touch him, they were comfortable with each other.  She leaned back and closed her eyes.

That drew Mulder's attention.  "We've got to get these two checked out.  Do you think a hospital is safe now?"

"We'll make it safe.  Those 'people' didn't seem to want to hang around.  Whatever they'd come for was done."  Skinner's expression brooked no argument.

John nodded.  "Their expressions, they had accomplished what they had set out to do.  That's why seeing the door was as frightening as it was for us."

"It makes no sense," Scully shook her head, watching Mulder.

"No, but that's not my main concern right now.  I need to get you two checked out, and you need to call your mother."

She blinked at that, then smiled tiredly and nodded.

He handed the baby to John this time, and then gathered Scully into his arms.  "I can wal - " She shut up at that look and rested her head against his chest.  He was here and whole.  He and their friends could look after things for awhile.