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Downtown Washington, D.C. 5:18 PM "And what point would that be?"
I give Doggett a look that nails him in place, then cross to Mulder. "Talk to you a minute?" I head outside and he follows. The question that's been hovering at the tip of my tongue since the morning after Mulder disappeared has now reached critical mass. I still don't think I could ask it of Scully, but I'm damn sure going to get Mulder to give me a straight answer. Everything hinges on it. I can see Mulder trying to get a read on my demeanor. He starts with why I called him to meet me here. "You said there'd been a murder?" "Yeah, we'll get there. Some business we need to clear up. Personal business. About Scully's baby; about who the father is." Mulder snorts indelicately at that and allows a hint of a smile to turn up the corners of his mouth. "Yeah, I hear there's a pool running down at the FBI. Placing bets." I'm more uncomfortable with this subject than I expected to be, and I'm having a hard time meeting his eyes. "I had my suspicions-- that is until I found out that you had questions. Questions about Scully's pregnancy itself." Suspicions. There'd been no doubt in my mind until very recently. Mulder stiffens his posture in a way I recognize. "You want to know who the father is, that's Scully's business. But if you're asking me how a woman who was diagnosed as barren and unable to conceive is about to give birth in a couple days, that's an answer I can't honestly give." He's looking me straight in the eyes with his arms folded across his chest. I notice he didn't deny knowing who the father is, just that it's Scully's business. And if he knows... and hasn't hauled her off to a clinic to have the fetus removed... But this is no time for speculation. "Well, I need answers. In light of what we found in there and in light of Scully's due date I need good, hard answers. Fast." I pull my cell phone out and get only one number punched in before he grabs my hand. "Sir, just... Let me." He takes the phone and punches in the rest of Scully's number, turning his back to me, bent slightly at the waist as I've seen him do so many times when he talks to his partner. He's unconsciously curling himself over her, shielding her in spirit as he's always done in fact. It's a very brief conversation. He suddenly stands ramrod straight and turns quickly to face me. "Something's wrong."
*** Scully is sitting on the examination table, gripping the edge on either side of her with both hands. Her face carefully blank. Mulder stands stiffly at her side. The emotions that are flashing in his eyes defy description. We're waiting for the test results. Waiting to see what new hell has been inflicted on the two finest people it's ever been my privilege to know. Scully looks up at her partner and holds his gaze for a long moment. Mulder finally nods and she turns to me. "You're afraid my baby isn't normal." It's not a question. Her face is still expressionless, but she can't hide the intensity in her eyes. Mulder has also turned his face to me. "Dana, there were records at the lab where we found Dusty Haskell's body." Mulder moves closer to his partner. His left arm rests lightly across her back, offering support in case she needs it. "Records of what?" Her voice is steady. Her gaze is too fierce. I turn mine to the floor. "They were monitoring your pregnancy, Scully. There were reports from Lizzie Gill... and from Doctor Parrenti." Scully's expression remains unaltered for a moment as she studies my face. It shows first in her eyes, a gentle smile that slowly spreads to the corners of her mouth. "They didn't create this baby, Sir." She leans slightly to her right until her body is touching Mulder's. His arm closes around her shoulder in response. Unconscious gestures that speak volumes. The door opens, admitting a tall woman in scrubs and a white coat. Scully's doctor. The woman smiles at them as she shares the good news. The pills were only vitamins. Scully's baby is all right. I see Mulder's posture relax. Scully reaches up and squeezes his hand where it rests on her shoulder. They exchange an unreadable look, then stand as one. The doctor offers reassuring words, then leaves us. I know that my two agents have forgotten I'm even in the room. But I have my answer. *** end |
Doggett and I turn toward the familiar voice. Mulder
stands just inside the warehouse door where he's
apparently been listening to our conversation for the
past couple of minutes.