A Crack In Reality

by Trycee

Time-Line: Season 7

Disclaimer: I do not own the X-Files. This is written for fun, not profit.

"Call the ambulance!," Mulder screamed frantically, as he hovered over her. "Call the damn ambulance!"

Scully lay on the ground unresponsive. A suspect they had been chasing had knocked her hard on the ground, knocking her out cold. Mulder leaned over her tiny body and scooped her up in his arms, cradling her to his chest. The San Diego policemen looked on at the intimate way Mulder held her as they waited for the EMS. They had to pry Scully out of his arms to check her vitals and lift her into the stretcher. Mulder's full attention was on Scully, the chase long forgotten as he hopped into the Ambulance with her and held her hand.

The EMS driver asked questions, assuming from the stroking of Scully's hand and the fear lodged in Mulder's eyes that they were more than partners; they were lovers, though in reality they hadn't progressed to that level yet. Mulder was afraid. Each time he saw Scully laid out unconscious, it caused him immense fear. Scully was his partner but if it were up to him, he'd keep her safe, he'd demand that she live a normal life and leave the X-Files and FBI behind. He'd finally tell her he loved her and maybe, just maybe they could have a life together.

Scully's eyes opened and the sun was beaming harshly on her face. She stretched against the coolness of the silk sheets beneath her. She stared up at the ceiling and sighed, another long day lay before her. Scully scooted off the bed and walked into her bathroom and then stared at her image in the mirror. Her hair was shoulder-length and her eyes puffy from crying. She washed her face and dried off with her towel and brushed her teeth. She closed her eyes and stiffened when his hands came around her shoulders and then skimmed down to her stomach, smoothing his hand over the tender skin there. He kissed her cheek while she willed her body not to flinch as he held her.

"Why are you acting like that?", he growled angrily. "What the hell is your problem?"

She watched him in the mirror, staring at the two of them. She could see the fire in his eyes. "You surprised me," she lied."That's all."

"You act afraid for me to touch you!"

"No!", she said, as his grip tightened on her shoulders. "Never..."

He let go of her and stepped back. She waited for the anger, the barrage of screams to begin. She could practically hear it in her head. But when the words didn't come she stared at the image in the mirror. He was looking at her with such disdain but Scully wasn't surprised. She'd seen it before. She swallowed the lump in her throat. "I have to get ready," she said, in a whisper, watching his reaction.

He stepped back from her and she had to hold in the sigh of relief. He shook his head. "You act scared of me."

She straightened and then turned to face him. "No," she said, stepping up to him. She looked into his eyes and swallowed her feelings. "You're my husband,"" she said, trying to vanquish any fear she had.

He searched her eyes, trying to see if she were telling the truth. She knew he could tell her true feelings by looking into her eyes and so she dropped her head down as her hand smoothed the soft hair on his arm, on down until she slid her hand in his. "Honey, why don't you go down and get yourself a cup of coffee until I come down."

He gave her one last look before turning to walk away. Scully sighed and then locked the bathroom door, grateful to be rid of him for a few moments. She quickly showered and dressed and then walked into a pink room halfway down the massive hallway. She opened the door of the girl's bedroom, a bright pink and green decorated room with brightly painted animals and a floor-to-ceiling tree mural. She immediately fixed a smile on her face. "Good morning," she smiled warmly.

The small child opened their blue eyes and looked up at her. "Mommy!", the red headed little girl screamed out. The four year old was the spitting image of her as she opened her tiny arms to her. Scully bent down and picked her up, holding her as the child gripped her neck tightly. Scully kissed Addison's soft cheek and then placed her on her feet.

The four year old walked over to her closet and threw open the door, scanning her outfits she'd wear to preschool.

"Quickly get dressed, "Scully said over her shoulder as she moved over to the baby's crib. She smiled down to the small red haired baby asleep in the soft pink blankets. She touched the downy soft reddish hair and rubbed her finger against her daughter's cheek. "Kali, honey," she said, softly.

The 1 yr old opened her blue eyes and smiled Scully's identical smile. She picked up her baby who clung to her and she carried her over to the soft lamb changing table. She quickly changed her diaper and then dressed her in one of her numerous cute outfits. She turned around and smiled, Addison was tangled up in her blouse. She placed the baby on the furry rug with toys to keep her occupied and then helped dress her eldest daughter. She then retrieved Kali and walked back down the long hall.

Scully knocked on the door at the end and when there was no answer, she pushed it open. "Jacob," she said, as the strawberry-blond boy laid with his eyes shut closed, pretending he was asleep. She yanked the blanket off of him. "Get up!", she said in an authoritative tone she rarely use.

"MOM!", the nine year old screamed, jumping up in his Spiderman pajamas, a frown doting his face.

Her face softened and she rustled the top of his curly head. "Come on, it's time for breakfast."

The nine year old looked at his mother and two sisters. "Mom, step out!"

"Okay, Okay, Jacob," she said, grabbing Addie's hand and shifting baby Kali onto her other hip. "Five minutes. Daddy's already waiting,"

There was a flash of panic of the boys face. She smiled warmly at her son. "It's okay, really. Daddy has to go to work early today."

She could see the relief in her son's eyes. "Five minutes, Jacob, okay?"

"Okay," Jacob answered.

Scully closed his bedroom door and walked with Addie and the baby in her arms down the long spiral staircase down towards the kitchen. Scully could see her husband seated at the counter on a bar stool, sipping on a cup of coffee, reading over his emails, ignoring her presence and the childrens. She walked Addie and Kali over to the large kitchen table. Addie sat down quietly staying in place, waiting for her mother to finish their daily routine. Addie kept a careful eye on her father as she sat rigidly fully aware that any moment her father might erupt in anger at her or her siblings or even her mother. Scully placed baby Kali in the high chair. She kissed the top of the little red haired baby's head and then rushed to the fridge, filling up a tiny cup with milk and a bottle of formula for Kali. Scully sighed as she walked past her husband who hadn't even chanced a glance in her direction and placed the kids respective cups down in front of them. She patted Addie's back, trying to calm her as she continued on with fixing their breakfast, retreating back to the kitchen.

Jacob appeared beside her, grabbing his cup and filling it with milk. He glanced nervously in the direction of his father and then continued on to the table joining his sisters. He could feel the tension in the air ,as was always the case whenever his father was home. He sat silently, fully on guard and ready to usher his sisters away if need be. Scully tried to keep them calm in front of their father but she knew they were all waiting on one of his mood swings or screaming fits that could strike at any time. The children watched her as she nuked a large bowl and then added packs of oatmeal. She ladled it into three smaller bowls. She returned to their table and placed it in front of them. She forced a smile to reassure them. She gathered her strength and then approached her husband, waiting patiently by his side until he glanced up at her, irritation showing clearing on his face. She was nervous as she addressed him, "What would you like for breakfast?"

Daniel Waterson stared at his wife for a long moment. "Dana, why do you ask me this every morning?", he said, harshly.

"I just thought...", she began but quickly clamped down.

She touched her stomach, feeling the life growing inside her.

His voice softened briefly. "Just make my breakfast so I can go to work," he said.

She nodded and then turned from him, wiping a tear from her eye as she began to cook his breakfast. She plated it and served it to him. Daniel ate it quickly and then grabbed up his laptop and sat the coffee cup down. "I need to get to work."

"I'll be in later," she said, her eyes scanning his.

Daniel's face tightened. "This will be the last day that you work."

"Daniel!", she sighed. "I can work, I'll just change my schedule."

He shook his head. "No."

She licked her lips nervously, waiting on him to explain his decision.

"You are not working extra hours with this baby. Enough is enough."

She stared down at her stomach, the muscles that were once tight were a curved slightly but despite being in her second trimester, she was barely showing. She hadn't even realized she was pregnant until she had felt the baby kick. As a doctor, Scully knew she had been in denial for sometime but she had a good reason to be.

"Dana, you are about to have Four children", he said, with a heavy sigh. "I'm saying that your doctoring days are through and there's no way around it," he said, firmly."I will not have you working through this pregnancy!"

"But Daniel...", she said, noticing the look in his eyes, and she grew quiet.

"I think I just said that you weren't working, now did I not, Dana?"

"Yes, Daniel..."

"I dealt with Barbara's pregnancy with Maggie and now with our children and if I say I don't want you working that's what I meant. You are my wife but I will not take any disrespect."

Scully could feel the tension in the air as Daniel stared at her. She rubbed the side of her stomach. "I'm sorry, Daniel."

"That's right!", he said, running his fingers against her cheek. "By the way, why did I see on the phone bill that you were calling Maggie?"

Scully glanced over to where her children watched in fear, seated at the large wooden table, as their father stared down into the small beautiful face of their mother. "Daniel, the kids," she said, softly. "They wanted to meet their sister for the first time. They wanted to meet her children, your grandchildren."

He shook his head. "Leave Maggie alone!", he said, harshly.

"Daniel, she was my best friend. Before I became involved in a relationship with you, we were friends."

"And for the last eleven years you have been married to me, her father!" his voice rising. "I said, leave her alone. That's final."

"I will," she said, turning away from him.

Daniel grabbed Scully's arm and pulled her towards him. He kissed her soft lips and she tried not to gag. Daniel let go of her arm and walk off down the hallway of their massive home. Scully listened as he grabbed up his coat and briefcase and shut the front door behind her.

Her cell phone rang interrupting her brief moment of easement. The children returned to their breakfasts and then placed their empty bowls in the sink. Jacob placed the baby Kali down to the floor and Scully watched as they retreated to the living room to watch early morning kids programming. "Dana", she answered.

"Is he still there?", her sister asked.

"No, he's gone," Scully answered.

"Open the door, we're here."

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