Spoilers here for Beyond the Sea.
"Are you going to leave that up all year?"
Scully looked over at her father, who was referring to her Christmas tree. "Yup. All year", she replied, piling up the plates on the kitchen table. "Since you always made us take the Christmas tree down the day after Christmas, I'm making up for last time. Plus it pleases the little person in this family". She was referring to Ashley, who was in her grandfather's arms. Scully and her daughter had spent Christmas Day with her parents, and now it was her turn to host them. Ashley had been in her element all day, and she loved spending time with her grandparents, who in turn both adored her.
"If your idea of a good time is picking up dried pine needles, please yourself".
"As if he's an authority on having a good time", Maggie Scully commented, eliciting a giggle from her granddaughter, even though Ashley didn't quite understand the joke. As Maggie reached for the pile of plates, Scully spoke.
"That's ok Mom, I got that".
"Ok".
"Ok Maggie". William Scully bent down and placed Ashley back onto the floor. "Let's shove off".
"Oh, ok". Putting the plates back onto the table, Maggie walked over to her daughter, hugging her tightly. "Well thank you for having us. Dinner was delicious as usual".
"Thanks mom". As Maggie scooped Ashley up into her arms, Scully approached her father and saluted. "Good sailing Ahab". She went willingly into his arms.
"Goodnight Starbuck". She felt him tense against her, and then he spoke. "How's work? Good?"
It was no secret that her father wasn't exactly keen on her joining the FBI, but Scully appreciated his question. "Yup, it's good". She didn't elaborate any further, figuring he didn't really want to know about the cases she investigated. Thankfully Ashley hadn't mentioned Mulder to her parents, though her little girl hadn't been quite so shy around Scully's friends.
"Well". Releasing his hold on his daughter, Bill then took Ashley from his wife. "You be good for your mother, you hear me?"
"Yes Grandpa", Ashley replied sweetly, before letting out an impressive yawn. She kissed her grandfather's cheek before he passed her to her own mother. "See you tomorrow".
"Not tomorrow sweetie", Scully answered. "Hopefully this weekend".
"Ok. Bye Grandma, bye Grandpa".
"Well drive carefully". Unlocking the door, Scully kissed her mother goodbye. "Goodnight. Goodnight Daddy". She watched her parents leave before closing the door and kissing her daughter. "Ok young lady, bed time".
Ashley shook her head. "I don't want to go to bed".
"Tough young lady. It's already way past your bed time".
"I'm not tired".
"Well then you can just go to bed and rest your eyes". Despite Ashley's protests, Scully knew her daughter would be out for the count within minutes of putting her to bed. And she was right.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
After putting Ashley to bed, Scully retired to the sofa and ended up falling asleep whilst watching an old movie on television. When she woke she realised it was almost 2am. What she didn't expect to see was her father sat in a chair opposite her. She noticed his mouth moving, though she didn't hear him speak. "Dad? I thought you guys left?" She'd seen him leave but he must have returned later, she mused, still half-asleep. "Where's mom?" Before she could speak again, the phone rang, startling her. She glanced across to the phone before returning her attention to her father, only to find that the chair was empty. She blinked hard, trying to focus and wondering whether she'd imagined her father's presence. Getting to her feet, Scully approached the phone and answered it. "Hello?" There was no reply at the other end of the line, but she could detect the sound of somebody crying. "Hello?"
"Dana?"
Scully felt herself go cold as she recognised her mother's voice. Something was wrong, it had to be. Not only was Maggie crying, she was also calling at 2am – usually she'd been in bed for hours. "Mom? What's the matter?"
She had to struggle to hear her mother's response, but as soon as she heard the words she knew she'd never forget them. "We um…we lost your dad. He had a…a massive coronary…about an hour ago. He…he's gone".
Scully looked back towards the chair where her father sat. It was still empty. *Gone?* she wanted to ask. *Where has he gone?* But from her mother's sobs at the end of the line, she knew exactly what she meant. He was dead. Her father, her hero, the man she idolised was dead. She'd seen him barely hours ago and now she'd never see him again – at least not alive. Before she knew it she found herself shaking uncontrollably as she tried to process her mother's words. A coronary. It would have been quick, she tried to tell herself, and with any luck he didn't know what was happening. Scully was brought back to the moment by the sound of her mother's sobs at the other end of the phone. There would be an autopsy, Maggie informed her daughter, to confirm the way he died. Scully tried not to imagine her father on the cold, hard mortuary slab or the way the pathologist would slice into his body. A feeling of nausea almost threatened to overwhelm her, and instead Scully focused on her mother. "I'll be…I'll be right over", she began, already plotting to wake her sleeping daughter and take her over to her mother's house. But then she wondered exactly what to tell Ashley. It would be the little girl's first bereavement and Scully wasn't sure how she would take it. Maggie refused her daughter's offer, insisting that there was nothing she could do until the morning. Besides, she argued, it was far too late to wake Ashley. After insisting that her mother call her if she changed her mind, Scully hung up, made her way back to the sofa and sat, staring at the chair where just moments before she'd seen her father. Or at least she thought she'd seen him. She must have been dreaming, Scully told herself. It was a figment of her imagination. She was tired and her father had been on her mind that evening – it was perfectly understandable.
"Mommy?" Scully looked up to see Ashley walking towards her, the little girl dragging her yellow blanket behind her as she let out an impressive yawn.
"What is it sweetheart?" She panicked, wondering just how she was going to break the news to her daughter. She'd hoped to have some time to think about it, but now Ashley stood in front of her.
"I heard you talking".
"Did you?"
"Is it time to get up?"
"No sweetie, it's late. You should be in bed". Ashley climbed onto her lap. "Did the phone wake you?"
"Uh huh".
"I'm sorry baby". Wrapping her arms around the little girl, Scully pulled Ashley in towards her, hugging her tightly. "Grandma called".
"Grandma's up late", Ashley commented innocently, her focus now on the television still playing in the background.
"Sweetie, I have some bad news", she began, "Your grandpa, he umm…he died tonight". The words felt foreign as she spoke them, and Scully willed herself not to cry. She had to be strong for her daughter.
"Why did he die?" The little girl asked, still engrossed in the television.
"Sometimes, when people get older and get sick, they die. Your grandpa was very sick, but we didn't know it".
"Does he have a cold?"
Her innocence made Scully want to weep, but instead she just hugged her daughter even tighter. "No baby, he was very sick".
"Is he in the hospital?"
"No".
"Can I see him tomorrow?"
"Ashley sweetie…" As though sensing that her mother was trying to tell her something important, Ashley turned to face her, the television now forgotten. "Sometimes when people are very old they get very sick. Your Grandpa was sick, but the doctors couldn't save him, and so his body stopped working and he died. He really didn't want to die, but it means we can't see him again. Not for a long long time".
"Why?"
"Because he's dead sweetheart. He won't be coming back".
"But I don't want grandpa to die".
"I know".
"It's not fair".
"I know it's not fair honey, I know". This time she couldn't stop the tears as they began to fall. Ashley was right, it wasn't fair. Her father was still relatively young and had never shown any signs of being ill. He and her mother were happy together, and he still had things he wanted to do. He was the closest person Ashley had to a father figure, and he'd never see her grow up into a beautiful young woman, to see her first day at school, her first date, her graduation, her wedding day. As her tears fell in earnest, Scully felt a little hand on her arm. "Don't cry mommy", Ashley whispered softly, concern etched across her face. "We'll be ok". Scully only hoped her daughter was right.
xxxxxxx
Mulder looked up as Scully entered the office; Ashley following closely behind. "Scully?" She was the last person he'd expected to see that morning, especially after he'd received the early morning phone call just a few days ago from her advising him of her father's death. He'd told her there and then to take as much time off as she needed, realising that she needed some time to grieve, and no doubt help her mother with funeral arrangements, but it seemed she was determined to work.
"Hi". She wouldn't quite meet his eye, and he could see she was trying her best to keep it together. "I'm sorry about this. My mother will collect Ashley in a little while, but she's just got to sort some last minute things".
"Sure. It's no problem". Realising his partner wasn't in the mood to talk; Mulder focused his attention on her daughter. "Hey Ashley, you ok?"
Smiling, Ashley nodded, but made no move to step away from her mom; instead clinging to Scully's leg. "I've come to work with mommy today".
"So I see. You've come to help have you?" She nodded. "Do you wanna help me with my work, or would you prefer a tour of the building?"
"Mulder". Scully clearly wasn't impressed with his ideas. "I don't want her disrupting people".
"Ok, well I can give her a quick tour of this office?"
"No horror stories Mulder. I have enough trouble trying to get her to sleep at the moment as it is".
"Are you still not sleeping well?"
Ashley shook her head. "Uh uh".
"Can you just keep an eye on her for two seconds?" Scully asked. "I need the ladies' room". In actual fact she needed a moment to herself, not realising just how hard it was to face people following her father's death. Luckily Mulder seemed to understand.
"Sure".
"You be good for Mulder", Scully warned her daughter, who looked nothing less than angelic.
No sooner had his partner left the room, Mulder approached the little girl. "So Ashley, what would you like to do first? We can take a tour of the office?" She shook her head. "Ok, well you can help me pin up some photographs, or…" he gestured to his chair, suddenly out of ideas. "You can take a seat and I'll spin you".
Her blue eyes lit up. "Spin please". Removing her purple duffel coat, Ashley handed the jacket to Mulder, before he lifted her up into his chair. Like her mother she was dressed head to toe in black. "Hang on tight". Her hands obediently gripped the arm rests, and as Mulder gently spun the chair around, she let out a delighted squeal, giggling as it finally came to a stop. "Again!" she cried, laughing as Mulder obeyed her wishes. The second time the chair slowed, Ashley put her hand on his arm. "My grandpa died", she said, suddenly serious.
Mulder's own smile faded. "I know".
"My mommy cried".
"Your mom's upset", he replied, his heart breaking for the little girl. "And I bet you are too, but that's only normal".
"Do you think grandma will take me to the park today?"
"I'm not sure. I think your grandma's a little sad right now too".
"Are you going to die?"
Deep questions coming from a three year old, Mulder thought, though if she was anything like her mother, she was wise beyond her years. "Not for a long long time". Now wasn't the time to get into the subject of death.
Thankfully Ashley seemed satisfied with his answer. "Do you spin mommy in this chair?"
Laughing, Mulder shook his head, before spinning her once again. "No I don't. Maybe one day".
"Maybe one day what?" He startled as he heard the voice behind him, and turned to see Scully re-entering the room. She rolled her eyes as she saw what her daughter was up to, though a thin smile played at her lips. "Are you distracting Mulder from his work?"
"No mommy. I was helping", Ashley replied, the innocent grin back on her face.
"Don't be fooled Mulder; she may look cute but she can be trouble sometimes".
"She's no bother".
"Again Mulder!"
Scully gave him a look as if to say 'I told you so'. "Don't blame me if you still haven't gotten your work done by the end of the day. What was it you were reading before we interrupted you? The last time I saw you that engrossed, it turned out you were reading the Adult Video News".
Mulder spun the chair once more before turning his attention to his partner. "I didn't think you'd be in today. How are you Dana?"
His use of her first name wasn't lost on Scully. "Dana", she repeated softly. "I'm fine, thank you. What are you working on?"
Mulder stepped away from Ashley as he began telling his partner about their new case – the recent kidnapping of a couple at university. He informed her of prisoner Luther Lee Boggs, who claimed to have information related to the kidnapping, obtained through psychic transmission. What surprised Scully was that her partner seemed to doubt the prisoner's claims – usually he believed in that type of thing, but instead he believed Boggs was orchestrating the kidnapping from the inside. "And they've requested you speak with them?" Scully asked, wondering just how Mulder got involved with the case if he was so sceptical.
"Actually, he's requested to speak to me".
"Why you?"
"He read my profile on him and believes I'm the only one who truly understands what he is. Anyway, I leave for Raleigh this afternoon".
"I'll go with you". Mulder looked doubtful. "The funeral's at noon. My mom has volunteered to look after Ashley, and I'm sure she'd appreciate the company".
"I think you should take some time".
"I need to work", was all she could reply. She was determined not to cry in front of him.
"I'm sorry about your father". Mulder gently cupped Scully's cheek in a move which brought tears to her eyes. She nodded, looking away from him. "I'll see you later".
"Ok".
He turned back to Ashley. "Can I trust you to be in charge of this office while I'm gone Ashley?"
The little girl nodded eagerly from her chair. "Where are you going?"
"I'm going to a place called Raleigh". He retrieved his jacket and slipped it on.
"Can I come?"
"Not this time I'm afraid". Mulder couldn't help but smile as the little girl pouted. "But I'm sure if you ask nicely your mom will spin the chair for you". With that he walked out of the office, leaving Scully counting down the hours to her father's funeral.
xxxxxxxxxxxx
In the end, Scully's father was given a simple, quiet send-off; his ashes scattered at sea. It was a short service, attended by close members of the family; Scully, her mother, her older brother Bill, younger brother Charlie and his two sons. Her older sister, Melissa, was out of the country travelling, but Scully knew she felt awful for not being there for their father's funeral. Scully stood next to her mother, with Ashley close by her side. Though the little girl didn't fully understand what was going on, she was aware something important was happening, remaining quiet throughout the service and holding her mother's hand tightly. "As a captain, he was entitled to burial at Arlington with full ceremony". Scully felt her father deserved more of a send-off, but she respected her mother's wishes.
"This is exactly how he wanted it", Maggie replied, not once taking her eyes off of the scene in front of her. "Just the family". They stood and watched as the remaining ashes were scattered. The familiar tune of Beyond the Sea rang out, and Scully's mother continued tearfully. "This song was playing when his ship returned from the Cuban Blockade. He marched right off up to me…and he proposed".
"I know that you and dad were…disappointed that I chose the path I'm on instead of medicine, and I know my pregnancy wasn't planned, but I need to know…was he at all proud of me?" It was something that had been on Scully's mind for some time; more so since her father's death. She'd always been a daddy's girl, and deep down she knew she was his favourite, so his approval was important to her. But now it was too late.
"He was your father", her mother simply replied. Scully nodded, swallowing her tears, and pulled Ashley in towards her, wanting to keep her daughter close.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
It was turning out to be a fortnight to remember, Scully mused, though all for the wrong reasons. Not only did she have to contend with her father's death and subsequent funeral,
"Mulder!" Ashley came running into Mulder's hospital room, her mom close behind her.
"Ashley, I told you to be quiet when we were in the hospital, otherwise the doctors will tell you off".
Ignoring her mother, Ashley attempted to lift herself up onto the bed. Eventually Mulder had to give her a helping hand, taking care not to jostle his leg as he sat her next to him on the mattress. Scully took a seat at the foot of the bed. "Hey you. This is a nice surprise; I wasn't expecting to see you".
"It appears you've got a fan in my daughter. As soon as she heard you were up for visitors she wanted to see you."
"Well isn't that nice."
"You said you wouldn't die", Ashley spoke up, glancing down at Mulder's leg with concern.
Scully frowned. "Hey". Mulder lifted the little girl's chin so he was looking her in the eye. "I'm fine Ashley. It's just a little wound, but I'm going to be fine, ok? I'm not going to die".
His words seem to satisfy the youngster. "Does it hurt?"
"Only a little bit, but I'll be home soon".
She nodded uncertainly. "I hope so, cos I think there was a monster in my bed last night".
"Oh no!" He looked over at Scully who sighed wearily.
"Her sleeping has been a little erratic since my father passed".
Mulder nodded in understanding. "It's ok, because you know what? As soon as I get out of here, I'll come and chase the monsters away again."
"You won't be chasing anything for a while Mulder."
It was then he noticed that his partner looked preoccupied. "Are you ok Scully?"
"I was considering Boggs. If he knew that I was your partner, he could have found out everything he knew about me. About my father…"
"Scully".
She got up and moved so she was standing next to the bed. "Beyond the Sea was playing at my parents' wedding. Visions of deceased loved ones are a common psychological phenomena. If he knew that my father had – "
"Dana". Once again Mulder's use of her Christian name got Scully's attention. "After all you've seen, after all the evidence, why can't you believe?"
Sighing, Scully perched on the edge of the bed next to her daughter. "I'm afraid", she replied honestly. "I'm afraid to believe".
"You couldn't face that fear? Even if it meant never knowing what your father wanted to tell you?"
"But I do know".
"How?"
"He was my father". Scully had been considering her mother's words all week, and she came to realise that Maggie was right. Of course her father had been proud of her. Despite her unexpected career change and the fact she'd single-handedly raised a child out of wedlock, he was proud of what she'd achieved with her life. He loved her, and Ashley, and there was no doubting that. Tears welled in her eyes, and Mulder nodded in understanding. He gently placed his hand on her shoulder, attempting to comfort her, but the tears eventually fell. Without hesitation Mulder pulled her into her arms. Moments later Ashley, determined not to be left out, joined them in the embrace.
