Almost Family - Part 2 (PG-13)

"Scully, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to uh . . . "

"It’s okay. I appreciate it."

He glanced at his watch, nearly 3 a.m. "Why are you up? Are you okay?"

She rolled her eyes. "It’s such a cliché. I had to go to the bathroom. I realized the lights were still on and checked."

He couldn’t quite hide the grin. "I need to get on out of here." He started to rise.

"Do you . . . do you have to leave?"

"No." He settled back into his seat. "Aren’t you tired?"

"Not really. I’ve been in bed for days. I really don’t want to sleep any more. Could we, could I ask you . . . " She turned away from him.

"What do you want to ask me, Dana?" He lightly touched her shoulder, causing her to look back at him.

"Have you found out anything? I know you want to protect me, but Walter, I need to know what’s happening. Please."

He sighed, "I’m not keeping anything from you Dana. I wouldn’t do that. The guys and I have not stopped since this happened. But so far . . . Dana I promise to keep you apprised of our progress, even . . . " He didn’t bother to finish the sentence.

She nodded, "What about Krycek? Does he know anything?"

"He’s not . . . He and Marita seem to have vanished temporarily. We’re looking for them as well. Let us handle this."

"No. Walter, I can’t sit on the sidelines. I have to be part of this, I have to work or I’ll lose my mind."

He watched her for a moment in silence. She meant what she said. He would just have to ensure that she didn’t go too far with it. Yes, she was a doctor, but she couldn’t step back and see this. Finding Mulder would outweigh her common sense. No, he mentally corrected himself – she would never intentionally put her child in danger. He’d have to trust her, but he would be keeping a close eye on her.

Finally he nodded. "You’ll be in on this, but from the office – at least for now," he added as she started to protest.

Her eyes narrowed and her brow rose, but he didn’t back down. After a moment she looked down. Okay, he was right – for now. "There’s one other thing." He nodded, waiting. "Did you mean what you said?"

He froze, what had she heard? "Do you really . . . are you and the guys really going to be my family now?"

She’d heard it all, even the accusation. He took a deep breath, "Absolutely."

"I’m . . . I’m sorry about Bill."

"Don’t worry about him. I’ve handled worse." He was smiling again.

"I’ve never really understood his hatred of Mulder. I mean, Mulder didn’t kill Melissa. I’m the one that took the assignment on the X-Files; I’m the one that stayed through it all. I guess he can’t make himself blame me for her death. But the way he treated Mulder when he found the chip that . . . that cured my cancer – "

"I thought you weren’t convinced about the value of the chip."

She looked away, then back, "Well I guess I am. If you ask me to go on the record, I’m not sure what hard evidence I could bring to the table other than myself, but . . . "

"You don’t have to convince me, Dana."

"That was the first time Mulder actually met Bill. He tried to hide how hurt he was by Bill’s attitude. I was too sick at the time to try to make things easier. Maybe if I had tried to intercede . . . "

"Dana, its history. Mulder is a totally different kind of man than Bill. I understand Bill better than I do Mulder, I’m more like him, or I was. Mulder converted me." He chuckled, "He led me to the dark side, you too. That’s what bothers Bill – he can’t allow himself to believe the things you and I have seen, the things Mulder has known about all along. So he has to fight it. He cares about you Dana, he’s your brother, but he can’t . . . he can’t handle all of this."

She sighed and leaned back on the couch.

"You getting tired?"

"A little, but I’m not sleepy." She leaned more comfortably into the pillows.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Of course." She turned to him.

"Bill did raise one question that I had as well. Wouldn’t you be more comfortable staying with your mother right now?" He didn’t expect that reaction. Her eyes grew moist and her color rose in her cheeks. "Dana?"

"I . . . I can’t . . . Mom isn’t exactly thrilled about the situation I’m in."

"What?"

"I am having a child out of wedlock. That’s not exactly a mother’s dream for her daughter. I mean part of her is happy for me. She knows how much I want a child, ever since . . . but still . . ."

"You’re a grown woman Dana. Surely she understands your relationship with Mulder."

She shook her head slightly, then looked up at him and smiled sadly. "I think I really do need you, Byers, Langly and Frohike to be my family for now."

"Well, you’ve got us. Don’t worry about that." She turned away and pulled a tissue from the box. "You okay?"

She nodded, "Hormones. Just ignore me." She blew her nose and took a shuddery breath.

"You should go back to bed. I’ll get out of here." The look of fear that flashed across her face startled him. "Or, I could stay, if you want."

"No, it’s okay. You should go on home."

Now he regretted his statement. She would never admit she didn’t want to be alone, but she also would never allow him to coddle her.

She rose and moved toward the door. "Dana, why don’t I stay the rest of the night. It’s almost morning anyway – " Her look stopped him.

"Walter, don’t. We both know Bill is not going to come over this late. I appreciate what you’re doing – what you’re all doing, but I’m not going to let you smother me. I have to be an equal member of the team."

"I can’t promise that Dana. Intellectually yes, but physically . . . we have to be practical here. There’s one and a half of you right now. When Mulder gets back I have to turn you over to him in perfect health. I refuse to do less."

She tilted her head back to keep the tears from escaping her eyes. "I’ll be glad to get this under control again."

- Mulder, Scully, the Lone Gunman and Skinner all belong to Chris Carter, 10-13 and Fox. No infringement intended