Set in the Per Manum flashback universe...
In Vitro
Mulder was still holding her when Scully tensed in his arms. Her tenseness meant that she'd gone someplace afar, let her mind drift to something even more unpleasant. "What did you mean," she asked, "when you said that you wouldn't want it to come between us?"
"Hmmm?" he lazily murmured, still rubbing her back gently, hoping he could lull her back into complacency.
No, It didn't work with her pushing him back and looking up at him. She knew that cryptic look of his. "When you came to tell me your answer, you said that you wouldn't want it to come between us."
Fox shrugged and said, "You told me you understood. When I said it, you said you got it."
Dana pulled away and crossed her arms. "Yes, but that was when I thought you were saying no. In the context of your saying yes, it makes no sense."
"I told you it sounded weird. I-I just-it was what I was feeling at the time, okay? I can't explain it."
"At least try. Okay? For me, Mulder."
He shook his head. "I don't want to argue, Scully. Not tonight, okay? Can we just drop this for tonight?"
"Us? argue?" She turned away and began forcefully to rearrange the cushions on the couch where he'd just been lying. "No, no, you're right. Let's spread all our hurt feelings out rather than getting it all out in the open."
"I know what you're doing," he said, keeping his voice as soft as possible, knowing it wouldn't help to get as agitated as she had become.
"What?" She turned sharply, anger flashing in her stormy eyes. "What am I doing? Trying to make sure I understand your motivations for something that isn't even going to happen now?"
"You want me to say something that's going to make this worse. You want to be able to be angry at me, rather than at the injustice of it all. Because...I'm easier to be angry at. You probably already were if you think about it."
When he saw the lingering argument dissolve from her face, he took the cushion still in her hands, tossing it on the floor. He parked himself on the couch, pulling her down to the couch with him.
A tear had escaped from her eye, traveling down her cheek. "And what could possibly make it worse?"
Fox reached out and wiped the tear away. Might as well go for broke. If she wanted it all out in the open, then he'd give her something to really sink her teeth into. "How about 'I think I'm in love with you, and I'm terrified'?" This was no time to waggle his eyebrows, judiciously refraining from doing so.
She burst out with a laugh. "As if!" she countered.
He blinked, pulling his hand back. He hadn't expected this sort of puzzling reaction. "And what exactly do you mean by that?"
"I mean, there's no thinking about it, Mulder. Not with you. You are a duly Oxford-educated psychologist, neatly picking apart why I was starting a fight with you. You don't have to guess. You either are in love with me, or you're not. But terrified? Okay, maybe a little terrified. That I will give you. And stop trying to change the subject. I know what you're trying to do, too."
He raised an eyebrow, unsure whether he should be impressed with her deduction or affronted. "And what's that?"
She sniffled. "Give me a reason not to give up."
He couldn't help a small grin. At least she wasn't denying him outright. "Is it working?"
"Maybe." It took some effort, her not returning his smile. She nudged his knee. "Tell me what you meant."
He sighed. "Fine. This." He motioned his index finger back and forth between them. "This exact scenario. If I say yes, and we go through with it, and it doesn't work. It'll affect us in ways we won't be able to get past."
"You think I won't survive this?" She narrowed her eyes at him, waiting for him to say the wrong thing.
"No, I know you will. But you will shut off a part of yourself and I will never get it back. So, you see, another reason for me to be terrified."
"Even if – it combusts –you – you don't understand." She let her head fall into her hands.
He took hold of her nearest wrist and turned her to face him. "You're acting like I'll never say yes. I'll admit it's weird, but it's still a resounding yes, Scully. I want this as much as you."
She nodded. "Okay. You're right. But it won't- "
"Won't it? What do you think would happen? I'd be Uncle Mulder, Mommy's work friend? Never see them except on Bring Your Kid to Work day?"
She shrugged. "We hadn't discussed your involvement."
"Consider it discussed now, then. Involved. Completely and utterly. All in."
She nodded again, closing her eyes to dam up the tears threatening to spill with a will all their own. She stretched out her arms and pulled him into an embrace.
"Thank you," she said into his ear, "but it doesn't even matter now. Last chance, remember?"
"Doesn't it?" he asked, tightening his hold on her. "I'm terrified, remember? Don't make me repeat why."
"I remember," she said, pressing her lips for a tender kiss to his cheek. "For what it's worth, I'm terrified too."
"Like I told you before, Scully, never give up on a miracle."