SUMMER 1982
SAN DIEGO, CA
"Come on, Dana! You really need to stop moping around here. There's only a few weeks left of summer before you go off to shove your face in more books." Melissa Scully exclaimed, exhausted with the attitude of her younger sister.
"Missy, I'm just not in the mood." Dana mumbled, crossing her arms in protest.
"Look, I know you broke up with Marcus, but you've sulked long enough. Maybe you'll find some hot guy to have a whirlwind, one night, summer romance with."
"You're really not helping your case here. I just don't feel like going, and I don't drink. I wouldn't have a good time."
"Fine, I'm pulling out the sister card. I'm asking you to go, for me. It's more for you, but that's the only way I'm going to drag you out of this house."
"I really hate you sometimes." She said with a heavy sigh, they made a pact as children, that the sister card could never be denied. She arched her eyebrow, and pursed her lips. "Fine, whatever. But if I hate it, I'm leaving."
"Deal. Come on, we need to pick out an outfit for you. You're 18 now Danes, you should learn how to accentuate your body for the college boys." Melissa said in a flirtatious voice. Dana rolled her eyes, already regretting her decision, but knowing she didn't have a choice.
They made their way to the end of the summer beach bonfire. There were drunken college students mulling around, chatting amongst themselves. Dana kept fidgeting with the lower cut top that her sister chose for her, and felt more uncomfortable by the minute. Melissa had already disappeared with a group of her friends, leaving Dana alone with random people she didn't know. She surveyed her surroundings, examining everyone in their inebriated frenzy. She let out a heavy sigh, already preparing to leave, until she noticed a familiar face. Her eyes lit up at the sight of Marcus, mixed emotions running through her heart and mind. She got up to speak to him, before seeing a busty blonde lean into his embrace. They exchanged flirtatious smiles, and Dana could see the arousal in his eyes through the flames. She choked back the lump forming in her throat, and fought back the tears that stung her eyes. He glanced over, catching her gaze, and immediately began to make his way over to her. She turned abruptly, needing to escape, and ran right into a tall figure standing behind her.
"I'm sorry." She whispered, emotions slowly escaping as she spoke. He glanced down at the tiny redhead, and could see her bright blue eyes wet with unshed tears.
"Hey, you okay?" He asked as he reached out to touch her arm in a comforting gesture. She simply nodded, not wanting to make conversation.
"Dana?" Marcus said as he approached from behind her. She immediately stiffened at the sound of his voice, and the handsome stranger standing before her noticed the change in demeanor.
"Yeah, hi Marcus." She said as she turned to face him. She licked her lips nervously and crossed her arms over her in a protective stance.
"I've been trying to call you, but you haven't returned my calls. I just think we should talk." He said sincerely. She glanced over his shoulder, seeing the blonde become annoyed by his lack of presence. She rolled her eyes, remembering why they broke up in the first place.
"There's nothing to talk about, I figured you would have received that message by the lack of returned calls." She said pointedly. The handsome stranger still standing behind her chuckled, and Marcus' eyes shot up to glare at him.
"Do you mind? We're having a conversation here." Marcus spat.
"Actually, you're the one interrupting. This is my date, that I'd like to get back to if you don't mind. Yours looks like she's waiting for you, too." She said as she directed the attention to the woman approaching them. He sighed, knowing he was the one who messed this up. He scoffed and walked away, leaving them alone.
"I'm impressed. Although, I would have dressed better if I knew this was a date." He leered at her, stepping into her personal space as she turned around to face him again. Color instantly rose to her cheeks, and she bowed her head embarrassed.
"Sorry, I panicked. He's, uh, my ex. We broke up recently, and it wasn't exactly amicable. I'm just so-" She growled frustratingly. She grabbed the beer from his hand, and downed the rest of it. He smirked at her, knowing this dreadful evening just got that much more interesting.
"Tell me how you really feel. Do you want to talk about it?" He teased at her. She searched frantically for another drink, and grabbed the first unopened beer she could find. "Or drink about it. You should probably slow down there."
"You should probably catch up." She said with a challenge in her eyes. He smiled, catching her gaze. He nodded and grabbed a case of beer, leading her away from the crowd.
They walked along the beach, beers in hand, letting the alcohol flow through them. She was starting to feel herself let go, be free, while losing all inhibitions. Dana wanted to forget everything that she endured in high school, especially towards the end. She didn't know why she was pouring her heart out to a complete stranger, but perhaps that's exactly what she needed.
"I'm just so tired of being the dutiful daughter, the one who can do no wrong. I'm the pre-med, top of my class, hardly had fun in her life, daughter. My sister is the one who dragged me here tonight, this is more her scene. You know how challenging it is, to live with that pressure and expectation on your shoulders? It's exhausting. I just want to be free." Dana slurred as she downed another beer. She had lost count, and was definitely beyond drunk, sharing too much to this mysterious, handsome man.
"I wish I could tell you that I knew how you felt, but I'm actually the opposite. I'm the disappointment, the screw up. Not academically, but I guess in every other aspect of my parents' eyes. I moved away the minute I graduated. I'm only here with a friend for the summer so I didn't have to be home with either of my parents." He said lost in his own thoughts.
"I'm sorry, life sucks. I'm ready to start college, just leave all of this mess behind. I suppose I should listen to my sister, and do something exciting before the summer's over, but that's just not me." She said as she began to stumble off the small clutter of rocks she was walking on. He reached out and caught her as she fell back into his lap.
She was startled by the movement, but her mind was too impaired to react. She glanced up at the warm, hazel eyes of the stranger. There was a moment, and she could almost swear that he was reading her mind through her eyes. She frantically captured his lips with hers, and he began to return the sentiment. She turned fully, straddling his lap. He began to remove her top, and she ran her hand ups his lean body. This wasn't like her, but that's exactly why she was doing it.
Dana was tired of living in the shadows of expectations of her parents, and older brother, Bill. She was always fearful of disappointing anyone, especially her family. If asked, her life with almost cliche. Perfect grades, many friends, somewhat popular boyfriend. The only difference was that she was the science geek, who was only known by association. She had done a few rebellious things in her time, mostly thanks to her sister, but she generally played it safe.
This moment was not safe, and that exhilarated her. Perhaps Missy was right, a quick summer romance might be exactly what she needed.
As they began to strip each other's clothes, the handsome stranger reveled in this moment. Just coming back from overseas, getting away from the mess that was his life, this was perfect. He only agreed to come out with every expectation to get wasted and forget about the man-eater of a woman who destroyed him, over and over again. To his dismay, it was his own fault. He vowed to himself to withhold from falling for her tricks, but he secretly loved the attention.
Not as much as he loved the attention of the spitfire currently grinding against his lap. She was a complete stranger, and yet he never felt more of a connection with someone. It could be the alcohol talking, but he could read the truth in her eyes. They were far enough from the rest of the crowd, hidden behind rocks. He knew they wouldn't be seen, and had too much alcohol in him to care.
She frantically unzipped his jeans, and pulled his member free. She grabbed his length, and began stroking it as she deepened their kissing.
"We, uh, should slow down." He said as he tried to control his breathing.
"Do you want to?" She asked in a sultry tone.
"No, but we're both drunk."
"Apparently I've found myself a gentleman." She said with a small chuckle. He could tell by her gaze that she was just as buzzed as him. He could also see the arousal in her eyes, and that's all he needed before pushing up her skirt, and situating her more in his lap.
She gasped as his tip rubbed against her center, and licked her lips nervously. Everything about this situation told her to stop, but the look in his eyes told her this is what she wanted. She reached down between them to skillfully remove her underwear from under her skirt, and lead him to her entrance. He glanced up at her again, asking the final question with his eyes. Her forehead was resting on his, and she nodded subtly, exhaling a shaky breath. It wasn't her first time, it was just her first time with a man she didn't even know.
He entered her slowly, giving her time to adjust. She moaned into his mouth at the contact, and began moving sporadically against him. He rested his hands on her hips to even out her rhythm, matching her movements. Their breathing became heavy, and their kissing increasing with the passion of the moment. She bit her lip as she was approaching climax, and he could feel her tightening around him. He was close, and knew she was, too. He thrusted his hips deeper, causing her to lose all control, along with her inhibitions. He followed, lifting her slightly off of him just in time to empty himself with his own orgasm. He settled her back in his lap, both of them completely exhausted, intoxicated by the alcohol and the moment they shared. She was breathing heavily into his mouth, and he smiled at her.
No verbal sentiments passing through them, they began to redress. It was a comfortable silence, they were both at a loss of words for what they just did. Neither regretted it, just surprised they went through with it. The alcohol began to turn in Dana's stomach, and she turned abruptly to throw up all contents.
"Well, that's a first." He said lightly as he rubbed her back to comfort her. When she finished, she wiped her mouth, and turned to face him, color rising to her cheeks.
"Oh god, I'm so embarrassed." She said as she buried her head in her hands. He chuckled, and reached out to move her hands away.
"Don't be, I've definitely outdone you once or twice in that regard. I just hope it wasn't that bad." He said jokingly, a hint of question in his voice.
"No, no. It was, really good." She said as a smirk touched her lips. "I don't normally do that, I've never done that with a complete stranger. I've only ever had one serious boyfriend, and well, you saw how that one worked out."
"Well, if it's any consolation, he's an idiot." He said genuinely. She smiled, relishing in this short lived moment. Realization hit, and her face fell.
"I, uh, you said you were just visiting for the summer, right?"
"Yeah, I'm heading back after the weekend actually. This was a nice sendoff." He said as he moved closer to her.
"I'm glad I could be of assistance. I should probably find my sister, if she even realizes that I'm gone." She scoffed in annoyance. "Thank you, for being so amazing, about everything tonight."
"No problem, I'll always remember this, remember you." He said, their mutual understanding met with their eyes. She nodded with a coy smile, loving this new secret to hold on to.
"I just realized, I don't even know your name." She said with an amused chuckle as she was walking back towards the crowd. He smiled sheepishly at her, bowing his head slightly.
"Maybe it's best that way, keeps the mystery alive." He said with a wink.
She shook her head, smile remaining on her face. She knew that she should have some doubts about the evening she just encountered, but there were none. She felt comfortable, like this was right. It almost broke her heart to walk away from him with nothing more than a thrilling memory.
The next morning Dana groaned at the incessant shaking, and rolled over, covering her face with the pillow.
"Dana, wake up. We need to talk." Missy said as she shook her sister harder.
"What do you want?" Dana hissed as she turned over on her back to slightly face her sister. She could feel the hangover begin to hit, and instantly regretted her sudden movement.
"Oh nothing, I just want to know about this mystery guy who's staying with Chris and won't stop talking about you apparently." She said in a teasing voice.
Dana's eyes widened in remembrance of her evening, color tinging her cheeks. She sat up in her bed, avoiding her sister's eyes, fidgeting with her blanket.
"Chris knows him?" She asked, more interested to find out more about the guy she drunkenly had sex on the beach with the night before.
"No, not really. He's one of Chris' roommate's friends visiting from out of town. But he hasn't stopped talking about you since last night."
"I didn't think he even knew my name."
"Oh, he doesn't. Chris said he described you, and enough details to put it all together. Come on, tell me what happened!" Missy exclaimed as she situated herself in the bed.
"There's nothing to tell, we talked, and drank, a lot. We...made out some, and then I came to find you." She said carefully, the knowing smirk touching her lips at the truth.
"Well then, it looks like my little sister is growing up after all." Missy said teasingly. Dana bit back the full grin threatening to escape on her face, knowing just how true that statement was.
She still felt completely intoxicated, more from her spontaneous actions than the alcohol she drank. She also found the thrill of not knowing who he was absolutely exhilarating. This was exactly what she needed to end her summer, and begin her new life in college. She felt refreshed and alive, more than she ever had before. She smiled to herself, loving this secret that she would always carry with her.
The end of summer had approached, and Dana was packed and ready to leave for school. She was excited about starting a new chapter in her life, carrying a new confidence about her. It was her last week home, and she spent it saying goodbye to friends and enjoying her time with her family.
She had caught a stomach bug in her last few days, and it wouldn't go away. She finally went to the doctor, just to be fully functioning before starting school.
"You're sure you don't want me to take you, honey?" Maggie, her mother asked sincerely.
"No, it's okay, mom. Missy is going to drive me, and then we were meeting up with some people." Dana said distractedly, trying to push down the nausea rising again.
"Okay, let me know what the doctor says, don't stay out too late if you're not feeling well." Maggie scolded.
Dana rolled her eyes, Missy calling her to let her know they were leaving just in time for her to escape another Maggie Scully lecture. As they arrived at the doctor, she could feel the unsettling of her stomach begin rapidly, and ran to the bathroom. She threw up everything she ate that morning, feeling lightheaded by the action. Just as she made her return, they called her back to a room.
"What brings you in today?" Doctor Harris asked as she came in to greet Dana.
"I've just been so sick lately, I'm moving in a few days, and I just want this to be over before then." Dana explained carefully, fighting back the new wave of nausea.
"Any other symptoms?"
"No, not that I can directly think of. I've been a little lightheaded sometimes, but I just figured that was from being sick."
"Any chance you could be pregnant?"
Dana opened her mouth to automatically answer in the negative, before flashes of her night on the beach began surging through her head. She paused, paling as her eyes grew wide. She licked her lips nervously, bowing her head, lost in her own thoughts.
"We just have to ask as a formality." The doctor said with an apologetic smile. "We'll run all the necessary tests and see what comes up. I'll send the nurse back in to take some blood." She said as she patted her knee gently.
Dana silently nodded, not completely focused on the room around her. She heard the door shut at the doctor's exit, and jumped as she was broken from her reverie.
"Dana..." Missy began to say cautiously. She could instantly see the fear in her sister's eyes, and knew there was something she was hiding.
"I - I don't know."
"You don't know if you've had sex recently?"
"I just - I don't know."
"Was it Marcus? I mean, you guys broke up only a little over a month ago, who knows how far along you could be."
"It's not him." Dana said in a shaky whisper. "That guy, at the beach, we did more than I said we did."
"Dana! My god, you're worse than I am!" Missy taunted.
"Would you shut up, you're not exactly helping the situation. What am I going to do? I'm leaving for college in a few days, this would completely change everything. I can't support a baby on my own, I don't even know-" She began to rant, stopping at the entrance of the nurse. She took the blood samples, and asked her to pee in a cup for the pregnancy test.
Dana and Missy sat in a nervous silence until the doctor came back into the room.
"Well, I have some news, and may have found the source of your sickness. You definitely are pregnant, just a few weeks, so it's still early. I can tell by your shocked expression you weren't expecting this news." The doctor said slowly. Dana shook her head in response, remaining silent.
"Right, well we can explore your options, I'll give you some time to let this settle in your mind. Call me if you have any other questions, and I'll refer to you an OBGYN for a follow up appointment." The doctor finished sympathetically.
She was only talking to the shell of a person. Dana felt empty, stomach turning even more with the newest revelation. She startled at the hand that touched her shoulder, the tears falling freely as she glanced up to catch her sister's gaze. Missy let her ride out her emotions, holding her close for comfort.
"What the hell am I going to do?" Dana said, racking back her sobs.
"We'll figure it out, Danes. You have an entire family to support you." Missy muttered the reassuring sentiments in her ear.
"How am I supposed to tell them their perfect daughter is pregnant?" Dana scoffed, composing herself again.
"Well, it helps me move up on the scale at least." Missy teased, hoping to lighten the mood. Dana chuckled, feeling relief that her family was here for her, at least until she tells the rest of them.
They made their way home, skipping the meet up with friends. Dana's nerves were rising as they approached their house, not knowing how to have this conversation with her mother. Her dad was out on assignment, and her older brother Bill had been stationed out of state, so she only had her mother to face. The two entered the quiet house and Dana was relieved to see that no one was home. She stopped in her stride at the sounds coming from the kitchen.
"Dana? You girls are home already, what happened to your friends?" Maggie asked genuinely.
Missy glanced down at her sister, and could see the tears stinging her eyes. She didn't know if she wanted to do this alone, or needed her by her side. Dana exhaled deeply, finally looking up to catch her sister's eyes. She nodded and grabbed Missy's hand, implying she needed her to stay.
"Mom, I need to talk to you." Dana said in a hushed voice. Maggie was instantly put on alert at the fearful demeanor of her youngest daughter, and tried to suppress her own feelings, keeping an open mind.
"What's wrong sweetie? Are you nervous about college? You're going to be great, there's nothing to worry about." She said sincerely as they settled themselves on the couch. Missy sat in the chair beside them, giving her enough space.
Maggie's questioning caused the tears to come streaming from Dana's eyes, knowing how much would change. She broke down and laid her head in her mother's lap, riding out her sobs. Maggie stroked her back for comfort, glancing up at Missy for any kind of answer. She muttered reassuring sentiments, trying to calm her.
"I'm pregnant." Dana said in a whisper. Maggie's hand paused, taking in the newest information.
"What?" Maggie asked in disbelief, hoping she heard her wrong.
"I'm pregnant, that's why I've been sick. Mom, I'm so terrified." She said as she sat up, composing her emotions.
"You're sure?"
"The doctor was pretty sure."
"How, who?" Maggie asked still trying to fit the pieces together. "Marcus?"
"No, not him. I -" Dana paused, already knowing the disappointment she was about to face. "I got extremely drunk at the bonfire we went to a few weeks ago. I met a guy, and things just happened."
"Did he take advantage of you?" Maggie asked pointedly. Dana's eyes widened at the question.
"No, Mom, no. He was just as drunk as I was. We were also both incredibly stupid." She groaned as she buried her head in her hands.
"Well have you told him? What do you both plan to do? You're supposed to be leaving in a few days."
"I - uh, I don't exactly know who he is. I mean, we talked all night, but I don't remember a lot, including his name. It was like both of our last moments of summer rebellion, we didn't make it anything serious."
"It's pretty serious now that there's a child involved."
"I know, I - I've been devising a plan in my head since I found out. Well, after I got over the whole shock of it."
"That's my girl, always making a plan. It'll be okay, you always have your family, we'll figure it out." She said as she cradled Dana's cheek gently.
"You're not mad?" She asked in disbelief. Her mother was a strict, Catholic mother, sitting here, supporting her unwed, pregnant, teenage daughter. This was not the response she was expecting.
"I'm a little surprised, but I'm always going to support you, honey." Maggie said sincerely. Dana smiled and nodded, excusing herself to her room.
As she made her way upstairs, she could hear Missy following her, and didn't know if she wanted to deal with anyone right now.
"I can't believe you got knocked up, threatening you're entire future, and I'm still the screw up in the family." Missy teased as she plopped herself on the bed.
"Missy, I have a lot of things to figure out, and I just want to be alone right now." Dana said exhaustedly. Missy nodded, taking the hint.
Several hours had passed, and she thought she had devised the perfect plan. She had already made several calls, hoping that everything would work out as she had set out in her mind. The only thing holding her back from fully feeling content with her plan, was the fact that he would never know. She closed her eyes in sorrow, feeling her stomach turn at the thought. She placed her hand over her stomach for comfort, and smiled at the thought of the baby growing inside of her.
"I think it's too early to feel anything, Danes." Missy teased as she entered the room with snacks. "You've been holed up in here long enough, Mom sent me with refreshments."
"Thanks." She said in a small voice.
"I, uh, also called Chris. I just wanted to see how much I was able to find out from him about your mystery guy. He didn't know much, he said that he was a friend of a friend of his roommate, and he didn't have a number for him. He asked the guys, but he apparently lives out of the country, and they don't have a number for his friend either."
"I'm having flashes of memory from that night. It's funny, when we were talking, I feel like we talked about everything, and nothing at the same time. I didn't even know his name, and when I brought that up, he said it just keeps the mystery alive." She said as a small smirk touched her lips. Missy watched her sister's mood change at the mention of this guy, amused by her attitude.
"Well it's a shame you didn't know more, by the look on your face, I'd say he was good for you."
"I - uh, we just hit it off quickly. Obviously, a little too quickly." She scoffed. "It pains me the most that he'll never know." She said in a small voice as the tears threatened her eyes again.
"So what's the brilliant plan, perfect sister?" Missy said as she scooted closer to pull her into a side hug.
"I don't think they'll let me transfer schools, considering classes resume next week. I might have to take a semester off, and apply for the Spring courses. I've called the administration offices for my school, and the universities here. If anything, I'll have to delay a year. But if I stay here, Mom can help, and it'll be an easier transition." She said confidently.
"I'm here, too. We're going to do this together." Missy said in reassurance.
For the first time since she left the doctor, she felt content with this new surprise. She knew it wasn't going to be easy, but with the help of her family, and the strong willed mentality she's always prided herself in, she would make it out of this just fine.
"Miss Scully, I was definitely surprised to hear about your reconsideration for our pre-med program here." Mrs. Romero said excitedly. Dana had met with her when she was exploring her options of schools, more so for her family who didn't want her to be so far away.
"I've had some recent developments that are keeping me closer to home. I understand that it's obviously last minute, and there's no way I'd be able to enroll for the fall semester. I was hoping to begin classes next year, in spring if that's not asking too much." She said in a small voice.
"I am curious, what brings you to stay home? You were so desperate and determined to leave the last time we spoke."
"I know, and trust me, without this new...development, I still would be. I -" She let out a deep breath, not wanting to disclose this information, worrying it would affect her admittance. "I'm pregnant. I just found out. I'm staying close to home, so that I have some extra assistance, and can still go to school."
"Well, that's definitely not what I was expecting, but I admire your strength. I have the authority to make a late admittance up until the first day of school, so I can pull some strings to get you started on classes as of next week, since you've technically already been accepted. Classes have already been chosen, so you're going to have last pick, you might have to talk to the professors, see if they'll let you in. I'm willing to take this chance on you, because I know you're willing to work for it." Mrs. Romero said with a gleam in her eyes.
"I am, thank you. You don't know how relieved I am, this solves at least one of my problems." She said with a light scoff.
"You're going to do just fine, you're strong. Stronger than I was when I got pregnant in college. I'll get your admissions packet ready, and leave you to speak with the professors, maybe before classes start." She said with a wink.
Scully left the office, feeling like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She knew this was going to be difficult, but she now knew that she had more support than she originally anticipated, and wouldn't have to do this alone. As grateful as she was, there was one person that she wished was here to share this with her.
She was lost in her thoughts as she strolled through campus, getting to know her surroundings. She was startled when she heard someone calling her name from behind, wincing as the recognizable voice neared.
"Dana, what are you doing here?" Marcus asked cautiously as he approached.
"Marcus, I - uh, I just enrolled. I had a last minute change of plans." She said carefully, completely forgetting he would be joining her here this semester.
"Oh, is everything okay? You were so set to move away."
"Everything's fine. I -" She let out a heavy sigh, knowing he would never drop this. "I suppose I should tell you before you hear from someone else, or see it for yourself eventually. I'm pregnant. It's still early, so I had to make some last minute adjustments to remain closer to my family." She said with confidence in her voice.
"Preg - how far along are you? Is it -" His voice cut off from his stammering. She realized the question he was asking, and her eyes widened.
"No - no. It's not yours. I'm only a few weeks."
"Dana, look I know I screwed this up between us, but I want to be there for you. Anything you need, I'm here." He said sincerely. She caught his gaze and could see the fear running through his eyes. Perhaps it was her wild night she spent on the beach with a complete stranger, but she felt nothing for Marcus that she felt before. She just nodded silently, flashing him a small smile and excused herself to finish her tasks.
When she returned home, she was exhausted. She plopped herself on the couch lazily, and threw her head back on the cushions.
"I'd ask how your day went, but from the looks of it, maybe not that great?" Maggie asked cautiously as she came in from the kitchen.
"No, actually it was great. They're letting me enroll this semester, so I had to go talk up the professors to ask them to let me join their classes last minute. A few of them said yes, one said if I come to class every day the first week then he will, and the other said if I survive the first 2 weeks he'll guarantee my spot. I'm just exhausted from the long day I guess." She said in a small voice.
"I knew you could do it, Dana. I never doubted your ability to overcome this obstacle, too." Maggie said as she settled herself beside her daughter on the couch. "We do need to talk about something else. Your father comes home in a few days. I spoke with him yesterday, but I haven't told him anything. I think it's something you need to tell him yourself."
"Mom, he's going to be so disappointed in me. His little girl getting drunkenly knocked up by some stranger at a beach party." She scoffed.
"Okay, well maybe let's not phrase it like that. Honey, he's going to feel exactly like I did. I was surprised, and I think shocked more than anything, but we could never be disappointed in you. You found a way to stay on track for the plan you set out for yourself, even when a new obstacle was thrown in your path. I'll be with you, try to ease the blow a little."
"Thank you, I'm so tired, I think I'm going to lay down for a bit." She said as she escaped upstairs to her room to be by herself with her own emotions.
She laid in bed, and finally let everything she had been suppressing come to surface. She thought about the challenges she would face, and ridicule for being the pregnant freshman walking around campus. She pondered over the difficulties she would have to endure as a young, single mom. Only hoping to provide the best for her child. The only comfort she found in this entire situation, was that this baby growing inside of her was part of both of them. She didn't know, or remember much about him, but she knew that he was sincere, and gentle in nature. She smiled to herself through the tears, confident that everything would turn out just as it was supposed to.
FALL 1993
WASHINGTON, D.C.
"Holly, hurry up! You're going to be late for your first day of school." Dana yelled from the kitchen as she began to gather their things.
"Why are you yelling, I'm right here." She said with a mischievous look in her eyes. Dana playfully glared at her.
"Well you weren't there when I yelled. Are you ready?"
"Yes, mother. I am fully prepared to face the big bad 5th grade class." Holly said sarcastically. She was still upset that they moved here over summer, away from her friends.
"Honey, I know you're still mad at me, and only talking to me because I feed you, but I really think this will be a nice change for us. This is a great opportunity for me, for both of us." She said sincerely towards her 10-year-old daughter pouting before her.
"I know, I've heard the spiel several times before. We should really get going though, we wouldn't want to be late for our first day of school, Mom." She said sarcastically as she grabbed her backpack and made her way out of the door.
Dana huffed and shook her head at her charismatic child. She knew that Holly was completely her in every way, but sometimes she wondered just how much of her father shined through her. It still pained her every day to think that she would never know.
"So, what is it exactly that you're doing here? I just need a cool story so I'm not the weird new kid." Holly said as they drove to her school.
"Oh, she's talking to me again!" Dana teased. "I'm was recruited by the FBI to be their lead pathologist. I'll be assisting on any active cases, which I was just told I have as soon as I get in."
"So like, you're going to be cutting up any dead body they send your way?"
"Well gee, you make it sound so exciting. You might want to work on your hype for that cool kid exterior you plan on maintaining."
"Whatever, are you going to have access to secret files? Do you even know how many conspiracies are being hidden by the FBI?" Holly asked pointedly. Dana rolled her eyes, and raised her eyebrow as she glanced over at her daughter.
"You really need to stop watching TV, it's not good for you. Alright, we're here. Play nice. I don't have time to pick you up in the middle of the day from the principal's office, I'll be working on the random body they send me in the lab." She said mockingly.
"I make no promises." Holly said with a sheepish grin. Dana shook her head at the familiar look and parted ways with her daughter, making her way to the Hoover Building for a briefing.
When she arrived, she could feel her nerves rising, doubt clouding her mind about if she made the right choice. She knew she needed to get away from the mess of her life that she created back home, and this was the perfect opportunity. She situated herself in the back of the room, somewhat attempting to maintain a low profile.
"You're in my spot." A voice startled her as they spoke closely in her ear. She looked back to see the source of the sound, and was met with warm hazel eyes.
"Sorry, I didn't know they were assigned." She said shyly.
"I'm messing with you, I just usually like to hide out in the back of the room so I don't get called on." He teased. She chuckled at his humor, feeling herself relax in her new surroundings.
"Well, I guess we can hide out back here together then." She said, matching his humor.
"Sounds like a plan." He grinned at her. "It's nice to meet you...?" He said with a question in his voice.
"Dana Scully, Lead Pathologist." She said as she extended her hand. He took it in meeting, and she could see the mischievous gleam in his eye.
"Fox Mulder, Special Agent in Charge. I'll try not to call on you too much." He said with a wink as he made his way to the front of the conference room to begin his briefing. She bit back the smirk touching her lips, knowing this was definitely the right move.