AN: I wrote this YEARS ago when I was still in High School, probably 1998 or something. This is set during the episode 'Redux II' (I think..it's been so long ;) ) Be kind, and remember I was young *smile*

Disclaimer: Don't own them, so don't sue.

Secret

They embraced, both full of a love that only Mother and daughter can feel for each other. Dana let out all her emotions on her mother's shoulder, as their hearts ached together.

"I know you're afraid," Margret told her daughter. She let go of her so she could look into her eyes. "I know you're afraid to tell me- but you have to tell someone," she said softly.

Dana lowered her head, hesitating. Margret soothingly rubbed her arm.
"I'm afraid..."she began, looking at her mother. "That he'll never know..."her voice was overcome with sobs.

"Shh...shh.." Margret let her collapse into her arms. " It's okay, Dana, it's okay- he knows." she soothed.

"He...how? He- " She struggled to get the words out. "He doesn't know. He can't know."

"Dana," her mother soothed, "he loves you. He's always loved you, you must have known that."

"Mom?"

"What is it, Dana?"

"Will you tell him?"

"No. You'll tell him yourself."

"But what if I di-"

"You aren't going to die. Now get some rest." She kissed her daughter's forehead and got up to leave. "I'll talk to Father McCue for you." Dana lay back in bed.

"Thank you, Mom."

"I'll see you tomorrow." she said, caressing her cheek before heading for the door.

"Mom?" Margret turned. "I wish Dad were here." Without a word, she enveloped her daughter in a hug.

"So do I," she whispered shakily, crying now.

* * * * * * * * * *

Later that night, Dana heard the door open. She was dimly aware of a presence in the room. Too tired to move or open her eyes, she just lay there.

She felt a hand move on her forehead and caught the scent in the air that was distinctly 'Mulder'.

She smiled inwardly. He lay his head on her bed, she felt his breath hot against the cool skin of her hand. She resisted the urge to touch him, to soothe him with a simple stroke of her hand, to silence the barely audible cry she heard as he lay his face down at her side. She knew she could take away all his pain - if only temporarily- simply by letting him know...

His cries turned into sobs, then to silence. Just as she was drifting off to sleep, she felt him get up. She knew this was her last chance. She could tell him, and die at peace. But she let him go.

She wasn't ready.

She wasn't ready to tell him.

She loved him.