Watching Season 8 DVDs recently reminded me how annoying it was that we never really got see everyone's reaction to Scully's surprise pregnancy announcement. So this is my version of how Maggie, Bill, Doggett, the rest of the FBI and of course Mulder, all found out.

Disclaimer: I do not own anyone or anything relating to the X-Files.

Chapter One: Maggie

Maggie POV

I came home from a 2-week stay with Bill and Tara out in San Diego to find an answer phone message from Dana. I had been worried about her, I knew Mulders' disappearance had hit her hard and I'd hadn't heard from her in a while, but experience has taught me that she will come to me when she is ready. She's never been one to let emotions get the better of her, cool, calm and collected in the face of most things. Therefore to receive a message from any of my children on the verge tears is one thing, from Dana it almost caused my heart to stop. Only the fact that my flight was delayed and it was by now 2am stopped me from rushing over there.

I called her first thing the following morning. "Dana, are you okay? I got your message…."

"Oh, right.. I thought perhaps you were away"

She sounded calmer at least, more like her usual self.

"I was in San Diego, but never mind that …what's the matter? you sounded upset?"

"Um, mom I don't think this is the kind thing I can tell you over the phone, can you come round this evening?"

My heart fell even further "Sure"

"About 6?" there's a crash in the background and a shout, she is obviously at work, "Look mom, I've got to go, I'll see you later ok?" and the line goes dead.

I spend the day going round in circles in my mind. All I can think of is that the cancer has come back, I know it's worse case scenario, but our family hasn't had too much luck in recent years. I clean the house, wash clothes, bake, knit, throw all my energies into not thinking about it, until finally it's time to head over to Dana's.

She opens the door slightly and I grab her, wrapping my arms around her, dragging her into a fierce hug.

"Mom" she squeaks "You're hurting me!"

"Sorry", I let her go and take a good look at her as she ushers me into the apartment. She looks tired, pale, and the glaze on her skin indicates that she vomited not too long ago. This is not good, not good at all.

"Would you like a cup of tea? Coffee?"

I follow her mutely to the kitchen, wondering just how she thinks that having a cup of tea in my hand will some how make the news of my daughter having terminal cancer easier to bare.

She chatters aimlessly while boiling the kettle and making the drinks, and I take this as the ultimate sign that all is not quite right. Dana never was one for mindless chit chat.

She hands me a mug and at long last we head back to the living room.

"How is Bill?" she asks,

"Dana, just tell me please"

She blushes as I call her on her deliberate attempt at time wasting

"I, um, don't quite know how to tell you this…"

My heart beats faster and I will myself to stay calm, I need to stay strong for my daughter.

"…but ..I'm pregnant"

I used to think it was farcical when in films or on television you see peoples mouths drop open in surprise. However I am sure that I felt my jaw lower slightly upon hearing the news.

She's looking me in the eyes, waiting for an answer, a response, but I have none to give. Half my brain is still trying to catch up with the fact that she doesn't have cancer, the other half is trying to comprehend the fact that a formerly 'barren' woman is pregnant.

"that's, ugh, how…?" my mouth won't quite work in conjunction with the rest of me.

She smiles. "I don't know how exactly mom, it's all too complicated, but yes, I am"

"That's wonderful news!" I finally manage to get the correct words out, lean forward and kiss her cheek, hugging her close.

"You are sure?" I hate myself for asking, but I know how devestated she was when she found she was unable to have children, and I don't want this to turn into some phantom pregnancy in the mind of a woman desperate to have a child.

"The doctors did all the blood tests, and I found it so hard to believe myself until…" she reaches forward and pulls something from the book on her coffee table "..this was taken" she hands it to me, suddenly becoming shy as I look at the grainy black and white image.

"Then it truly is a miracle!" I smooth her hair and hug her once again. As we draw apart I notice a sparkle in her eyes that I haven't seen before.

"I know" she says quietly. "Mom,…I ..need" suddenly she jumps up and runs towards the bathroom and I pretend that I don't hear the retching sound. She returns 5 minutes later.

"It will soon pass" I tell her

"So they say"

"What were you going to say darling?" I ask, wondering if she is about to tell me who the father is.

"I was going to ask you not to tell Bill, not at the moment, I will tell him, but when the time is right"

I was about to protest, but it would be futile, my daughter knows her own mind if nothing else.

"Okay" I reply "Are you sure there is nothing else you want to tell me?"

She raises an eyebrow in amusement, I'm as transparent as glass, she knows exactly what I'm after, who is the father?

"No mom, that's all for now"

I know I'll find out eventually….

Fin